Members of the first Highland Belles Drill Team (1983 -1984) will be recognized at halftime at the Scots first home football game on September 5, 2008 at Highlander Stadium.  Below is a recap of that first season, written by Renee Randolph McKenney, one of the charter members. 

Highland Belles

By Renee Randolph McKenney

The Highland Belles have kicked their way past the twenty-five year mark…can it be? As I reflect on how we all got started, I can honestly say that we did not realize the legacy we were leaving back in 1983.  They say that ignorance is bliss, and when I look at what we overcame, I cannot believe what we achieved. We did not have a plan, coach, name, uniform, equipment, or experience. What we did have was heart, tenacity, drive, luck, and most importantly, administrators and a community that supported and stood alongside us all of the way.

It all started in the fall of 1982, when a group of Junior girls wrote a proposal outlining their dream. Those girls were Holly Chamness, Renee Randolph McKenney, Kathy Hall Murphy, Anne Worsham Oden, Laura Moerschell Brewer, and Julie Terry Mills. At the time, there was an evolution with music and dancing, as MTV brought us the new concept of music videos, the top movies were Flashdance, Footloose, and Dirty Dancing…and The Laker Girls had come on the scene with an emphasis on dance to showcase team spirit. At Highland Park, girls were limited in the activities that were offered, and we wanted to try and change that. The balance was adding to a community steeped in tradition, and making everyone proud of the result. That required an amazing cast of characters, and our talk turned into action.

We presented the proposal to our Principle Tom Monroe, who had just started in September. He was very open to our vision and helped us with a plan. He called a community meeting to discuss the pro’s and con’s of this team. Would it look and feel like a drill team or a pom pom squad? We settled somewhere in between, as we wanted to look more like a dance team than a traditional drill team with hats and boots.  Our goal was to be unique and different. The media got involved, and articles were written about us in the Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Times Herald. We then searched for a sponsor, which led us to our P.E. Teacher, Cathy Wheat.  Little did we know we hit the lottery with Mrs. Wheat, as she was a National known Drill Team Instructor, former Kilgore Rangerette, and voted #1 Instructor in the Nation by the American Drill Team School. By the Spring Semester of ’83, we were on our way.

How it all came together in such a short amount of time is beyond belief. Within months, we had qualifications, try outs, designs for uniforms, and much needed structure. Reid Slaughter and Phil Stephens of the Park Cities People became our PR agents to the community, and got everyone engaged and involved in our progress. The 35 Charter Members were named, and we set out on our mission to create something special.

That Summer, we went to Drill Team Camp at SMU, and learned pretty quickly what it meant to experience tough love, as well as much needed discipline. We responded, and won a First Division Trophy and a Superior Rating. That was huge, considering we had little to no experience, and were up against the top teams in the area. We started school without a name or a uniform, but with our leotards, headbands, and leg warmers…we charged on!

I will never forget the first time we performed at halftime (still nameless and without uniforms), and the standing ovation we received. We were so nervous, wondering if we could measure up to the anticipation and high expectations.  Another was the first time we revealed our new uniform at a Pep Rally towards the end of the regular football season. The gym erupted in cheers and another standing ovation prior to our performance. I still get chills thinking about it…as we all knew that was a defining moment, and the foundation of what was to come.

I am so thankful for a school district, parents and community that believed so strongly in our vision. All  of the support that went into creating the Belles lives on today in their success. I also want to thank Cathy Wheat, current  Director Christie Crummel, and the dedication of each individual Highland Belle through the years. You have carried on that torch of success, and have made us all very proud. Back in 1983, we could never have imagined that we would create a tradition for our children. Or, that the lessons learned as a Belle would carry over into our adult lives.  The tradition is now “kicking off” their 26th Season, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Charter Members 1983-1984:

April Abney Bright; Tracy Adleta Castleman; Tina Bernet Hodges; Carolyn Cash Rohn; Holly Chamness; Melissa Cheatum; Ann Connor Yarbrough; Susan Floyd Frymire; Lisa Frankhauser Glieber; Gypsie Fulgham Winslade; Meredith Glasscock Murski; Elizabeth Harper; Kim Jacobs Calloway; D’Ann Trammell Hayler; Shannon Kelly Gilmour; Peggy Langworthy Sutcliffe; Laura Loy Capps; Ashley McClain; Elizabeth Mayfield; Laura Norman Corley; Cyndi Parker Kirby; Mary Pat Pettigrew Cochran; Robyn Plumlee Lee; Sonya Roark; Beth Wilson Eason; D’Ann Pletcher George; Renee Randolph McKenney; Toni Rothpletz Yancer; Carol Rubarts Christ; Susan Shelton Ruff; Stephanie Storm Flower; Michelle Streckmann Oillic; Tracey Taylor Frattaroli; Diane Welch Byrd; Annie Wetsel

Last Updated Monday, August 18, 2008

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