By Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information
The 54th line of the Trinity Valley Community College Cardettes was introduced before a packed house in the Student Union Ballroom on the Athens campus earlier this month.
The Cardettes, 38 dancers and four escorts strong this season, will make their debut this Saturday during halftime of the TVCC football game against Tyler Junior College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bruce Field in Athens.
“This is a very talented group with a unique spark about them,” TVCC Cardette director Darla Mansfield said. “They are ready to raise the bar for the entire organization.”
This year’s captain is sophomore Megan DeSailva of Rowlett. Other officers are sophomore lieutenants Samantha Figueroa of Rowlett; Kendrea’ Harris of Rowlett; Cayia Leffel of Houston; and Tearra Small of Houston.
Additional scholarships established by a handful of Cardette supporters and alumni have been created and were awarded to members during the recent Showoff. Those scholarships, and their recipients, are: Happy Feet Boots Book Scholarship (freshman Azah Tabufor); Showtime International Cardette Scholarship (sophomore Raeana Vasquez and freshman Jocelyne Flores); and the Cardette Connection Alumni Scholarship (sophomores Cayia Leffel, Amairani Ortuno and Kailyn Perry and freshmen Maddie Collins, K’Leigh Rhodes, Kimberley Ruiz, Ashley Anderson and Jordan Thompson).
The 2014-15 year will be another busy one for the Cardettes, who will perform at the State Fair of Texas Parade on September 26. They also have performances scheduled at the Veteran’s Day Parade, the 95th Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and at the Dallas Children’s Medical Center Holiday Parade in December.
The 2014-15 TVCC Cardettes are:
SOPHOMORES: Jennifer Acero, Houston; Hannah Brown, San Antonio; Captain Megan DeSailva, Rowlett; Lt. Samantha Figueroa, Rowlett; Lt. Kendrea’ Harris, Rowlett; Lt. Cayia Leffel, Houston; Kourtney Oliver, Houston; Amairani Ortuno, Houston; Kaitlyn Perry, Houston; Lt. Tearra Small, Houston; Raeana Vasquez, Lampasas; and Mariana Vazquez, Houston; and Escort David Mena, Houston.
FRESHMEN: Kalen Stimpson, Cedar Hill; Courtney McPherson, Garland; Ashley Anderson, Plano; Adrianna Prda, Dallas; Melissa Arellano, Corsicana; K’Leigh Rhodes, Mineola; Jazmin Duran, Arlington; Kimberly Ruiz, Dallas; Jordan Thompson, Carrollton; Elizabeth Vallesteros, Houston; Madison Collins, Mineola; Monica Gomez, Garland; Jacque Cooper, Kemp; Brenda Guzman, Dallas; Jorden Wadley, Wylie; Alyssa Graham, Wylie; Kelbie Bradshaw, Abileen; Jocelyne Flores, Dallas; Azah Tabufor, Dallas; Alyssa Chicas, Garland; Sadara Wilson, Cedar Hill; Paris Newton, Garland; Sierra Johnson, Whitehouse; Megan Carson, Bullard; Brianne Nickelston, Carrollton; Gabriella Pazora, Carrollton; Escort Brad Pettit, Coppell; Escort Wanya Mitchell, Arlington; Escort Jason Espinoza, Forney.