Dave Rogers

For The Record

It was the realization of a lifelong dream.

And Macie Moore’s selection last week as a member of the Kilgore College Rangerettes kept a string going for her mentor, Cathy Riley.

Moore became the sixth Bridge City Strutter to claim a spot on the first precision dance team in Texas during Riley’s 23 years as director of the Strutters.

“I’ve been pretty much planning on doing it my whole life,” Moore said of donning the red, white and blue Rangerettes outfit and high-kicking her way through her first two years of college.

“I’d always heard about it and, once I got on drill team, it became a little more realistic because my director was a Rangerette.”

That’s right. Riley was a Rangerette, after her time as a Nederland High Westernaire and before she added dance team director to her resume as an educator.

“When Macie was an eighth-grader trying out for the Strutters, the other judges – most of whom were Rangerettes like me – and I all said, ‘I believe she could be a Rangerette now, even as an eighth-grader,’” Riley said.

“And for four years, she was that good.

“I’m so ecstatic she made it. She gets to live the experience I had.”

The Rangerettes, known for their high-kick routines and distinctive outfits of red blouses, short blue skirts, white boots and white western hats, are celebrating their 80^th season in 2019.

The team was created by Gussie Nell Davis in 1939 when Kilgore College Dean B.E. Masters wanted something that would increase the female enrollment at the East Texas school.

It was also hoped it would keep fans in their seats during football halftime shows and away from drinking alcohol under the stands.

The Rangerettes have performed on four continents, in 12 foreign countries, 23 states and Washington, D.C. They have performed in 69 consecutive Cotton Bowl game halftime shows in addition to making appearances in NFL pregame and halftime shows for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texas.

They have performed at inauguration balls for U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades.

Riley’s first Bridge City student to make the cut for the Rangerettes was Kayla Kenney, in 2005.

Hannah Dunahoe, Klacie Norris, Katelyn Norman and Jordyn Ewing followed, the last in 2011.

“It’s not for everybody,” Riley said. “It is hard. You need a lot of fitness in the tryout.”

Former Bridge City Strutter Captain Macie Moore poses in front of the Kilgore College Rangerette marquise in Kilgore, Texas last week. Macie is still wearing her contestant name sign after being chosen to become a Kilgore Ragerette. She became the sixth Bridge City Strutter under the direction of Cathy Riley to become a Rangerette.

Moore was among 91 girls asked to try out as freshmen on the squad. Only 34 were chosen.

“The tryout’s about a week long and it’s really crazy,” Moore said. “It’s very intimidating. You go all week and all of the girls are amazing.

“You have to watch all of them. Then you’re kind of comparing yourself: ‘Am I as good as her?’”

Moore is the product of 16 years at Debbie Broussard’s Debbie’s Dance Etc. in Groves.

“I took just about every single class that I could to be exposed to every type of style,” Moore said.

“I always thought I liked studio dance more, but then I tried out for the drill team and fell in love with it immediately.

“I loved the precision and high kicks. Then I thought the Rangerettes would be perfect -- that’s what they’re known for.”

Moore was an officer the final three of her four years in the Strutters, a lieutenant as a sophomore, first lieutenant as a junior and captain as a senior.

“A three-year officer, that’s pretty cool,” Riley said. “She was a role model for younger Strutters to emulate. Always professional. The Real deal.

“So, I’m excited she got to go on and dance some more at the college.”

Moore plans to major in dance at Kilgore, then plans to go to Texas A&M her final two years, majoring in business.

“I plan to direct a drill team, or open a dance studio,” she said.

With their complement of sophomores, the Rangerettes will number about 70 members this fall, when they celebrate the end of their juco football season with a trip to England, to perform in Birmingham and London.

The sophomore Rangerettes just returned from a trip to perform in Italy.

“The Cotton Bowl and the England trip is all they’ve told us about so far,” Moore said. “We start practicing in two weeks.”

Riley will be along with them, in spirit.

“There are so so many neat things they teach the kids, it’s pretty cool,” said the Strutters director.

“They teach precision dance first of all, but there’s more than that. They teach them to be a lady, teach them to give back to society.

“They’re constantly doing things for other people, not themselves. Macie’s done it before, but now she gets to do it bigger.”