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2007-2008 See the Eaglettes web site as it was at the end of the school year.

History

 

Introduction to the 1963-1964 Eaglettes Scrapbook

 

1963 Eaglettes, colorful and high-stepping, cheer on the Eagles.

 

EAGLETTE HISTORY

    Established in the spring of 1955, Eaglettes became the first drill team in the Richardson Independent School District.  Composed entirely of junior and senior girls, the 1955 fall football season was the first opportunity to perform.  Eaglette uniforms consisted of white blouses, ties and purple felt skirts.  As fate would have it, it rained during their first performance and their felt skirts shrank and faded.  Felt skirts were then changed to corduroy.

    Sarah Tickert was the Eaglettes first director, and continued her position for five years.  During this period the uniform was changed to a white long sleeve crop top, purple cummerbund, white skirt, white top hat, and majorette boots.

    Carol Hancock became the second director in the fall of 1961.  The membership of the team at this time was forty-eight line members, eight alternates, and five officers.  Alternates were only allowed to perform if a line member became ill or didn’t know the routine.

    In the early sixties, team members were asked to design a new uniform.  A contest was held and the winning design was a white military jacket, white military skirt, white shell, and a purple sequin dickey.  The white top hat and majorette boots remained.

    Drill team summer camps became popular, and the Eaglettes attended the American Drill Team Camp at S.M.U.  Routines in those days focused on military, props, and high kicks.

    Eaglettes third director Patsy Owens came into her position in 1965 when Carol Hancock left to have a baby.  During her four years (1965-1969) things remained pretty much the same.  In 1969, Barbara Harmon became the fourth director and stayed with the organization until 1970. 1968 was the last year that you did not have to be in the pep squad first in order to try out.

    Carol Hancock returned as the director in 1970 and remained until 1997.  During Mrs. Hancock’s thirty years as director, many changes took place in the drill team programs in Texas and the Richardson Independent School District.

    A pep squad called the Eaglefeathers was formed and consisted of mostly sophomore girls, with some juniors and seniors.  Eaglefeathers supported the football team as they performed flashcard and stand routines as well as cheering.  In order to try-out for the drill team, the girl had to be a member of the pep squad the proceeding year.  After a number of years, this requirement was removed and the pep squad folded.  The Richardson Independent School District changed their guidelines shortly after allowing sophomores to try-out for the Eaglettes.

    Long hair became popular in the seventies, forming a hair guideline for the team.  The guideline required that their hair be no longer than collar length.  So here came the wigs!  Each girl was required to purchase the same wig (in her hair color) and they were all styled the same. 

    A former Eaglette, Elise Eleanor, designed a stick figure logo (the stick chick) used to this day as the traditional symbol of the drill team.  This symbol is recognized in the drill team world state-wide as the Richardson Eaglettes.

    Another traditional symbol known as “Confidence” was custom choreographed for the team while attending “Tops in Twirling and Drill Teams Too” camp in Kilgore, Texas in 1976.  Eagle fans and especially Eaglette alumni look forward to seeing this routine with each passing year.

    The first revue, “The Cotton Blossom” was presented in 1962 in the auditorium of the Administration Building on Greenville Avenue.  Every year since the Eaglettes have presented their annual revue in the spring.  In 1983, the creation of a high kick routine finale to Neil Diamonds “America” became the traditional number at the end of each revue.  Once again, this is another tradition that everyone looks forward to.  The revues are a part of the program that allows the girls to broaden their dancing talents.  In addition, they learn to choreograph, costume, stage, and produce a stage show.

    The uniform continued to change over the years.  The white jacket became purple; the sequin dickey was replaced with a ruffled dickey; the top hat added a purple sequin headband and the boots had purple fringe added.  The uniform is the traditional military uniform.  Other uniform parts were added to give the girls the opportunity to have some variety.  A reversible purple and white flare skirt, white long sleeve shirt, gold vest, “R” overlay, fringe overlay, and a cowgirl hat with a gold sequin headband were incorporated into the uniform.

    Eaglettes main focus is to always support the athletic events by performing and participating in spirit promoting activities.  Performances have gone from just being given during football halftimes, to pep rallies, basketball games, wrestling matches, open houses, revues and competitions.  Spirit promoting activities have included painting store window, decorating goal posts, baking cookies, team posters, and decorating Belt Line for the Homecoming parade.

    Competing in various competitions in and out of state was an integral part of the drill team program in the eighties and nineties.  For a number of years the whole team competed and did very well.  However, it became very expensive and time consuming.  Therefore, in the nineties a small dance team was formed.  The team was called “The Rhythm from RHS”.  This team and individual soloists began representing the Eaglettes in competitions and were highly successful.

    The Team began traveling in the eighties and nineties.  Performances were included in trips to Washington, DC, New York (twice), Florida (three times), and on two cruises to the Bahamas.  Officer groups and individuals have been to New York City to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

    Attendance at summer camps and workshops during the school year helped the team receive dance material for the increased number of performance requirements.  The style of performances has gone from military and high kicks to include all forms of dance (jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, funk and large props).

    A parent’s booster club was formed in 1985.  This organization was formed to promote the education of the drill team members through financial, moral and physical support.  Their contributions have been invaluable.

    Chrisi Ream became the fifth director in the fall of 1997.  One of her first additions was the jump split to the high kick routine “Confidence”.  A new tradition was formed by adding a high kick line named “Gold Line” with one of their performances being the Eaglettes first hosted tailgate party.  For the first time, the Eaglettes entered a float into the homecoming parade and won “The Golden Eagle Award”.  To finish off the year, the “Circle of Life” spring revue became the first show with a two night performance.

    Allison Smiga became the sixth director with the 1998-1999 team.  Competitions were brought back and a trip to compete in Florida and perform on a cruise to the Bahamas was enjoyed.  The 1999 seniors retired the original choreography of “Confidence” and an updated “Confidence” will now be performed at all Eaglette events.

    A new tradition was begun in 1999 with the seniors retiring their hats on a large “stick chick” at the end of revue.  The 1999-2000 team had the honor of performing in a complete new ensemble of uniforms.

Traditions
The Richardson High School Eaglettes and Alumni have a strong sense of pride when they see these traditions
Stick Chick Figure Eaglettes are known for this symbol.	Confidence Traditional Kick Routine used at all football games.	America Finale Kick Routine in Spring Revue	Hanging of Hat Senior Eaglettes retire their hats by hanging it on the stick figure on stage at the end of Revue.
Circle Girls get together before football games and share joys and concerns.	Installation Installing new members and passing of old to new.	Competition Team attends competition annually.