Apache Belles Mark 60 Years As Dancing Diplomats
apache belles, culture, dancing diplomats, heritage, historic, traditions, tyler junior college,
Extreme courtesy and captivating choreography are the trademarks of the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, a precision dance and drill team outfitted in their trademark cowboy boots, hats and short shorts.
Broad smiles and high kicks that rival the Radio City Rockettes are standard for the team, which celebrated its 60th year in 2007. The group performs at football and basketball games and at special events such as the Rose Festival and Rose Queen coronation. The Belles have traveled to military bases in Hawaii, China, Germany, France and Ireland.
In addition to demonstrating their finely honed dancing skills, the 18- to 21-year-old young ladies serve as ambassadors for their school, city and state by being poised, polite, well-groomed and enthusiastic, says Apache Belles director Ruth Flynn. The minimal expectation, she says, is for the women to devote up to 21 hours a week to practice and to maintain a 2.0 grade point average with an academic course load of at least 12 hours. In return, they are given scholarship money and an opportunity to perform worldwide.
Saying “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am” is a given, says Flynn.
“Above all, we want them to be ladies, to make good choices and to be respectful,” Flynn says.
The women who want to be in the group are “special girls who have got something in them that makes them want to work this hard and do this,” Flynn adds. “It’s definitely not easy; It’s not just dancing, it’s more than that. It’s athletics and hard work, dedication to carrying on this tradition and an attitude of grace and goodwill. They balance all of this while continuing their educations.”
For learn more about the team, visit www.apachebelles.com.
Story by Kelli Levey
Comments
Leave your own comment:
