A Word from the Director:
Hello Gorgeous!
Traditions are an important part of Troyanns. Hello Gorgeous and Tap, Tap, Tap were first penned by my predecessor, Stephanie Martin Cherney (director 1997-2006). It is a wonderful feeling to be part of an organization that values its membership and traditions. My name is Debra Pullen Roth and I am the director of the Shining Stars of Newman Smith High School, the award winning Troyanns. This is my 2nd time around directing the Troyanns. I directed the Troyanns right out of college (Dec. 1979-May 1985). Now my life has come full circle, as I return to the directorship after a 21 year break.
I am a native of Garland, Texas. A 1975 graduate of North Garland High School—Go Raiders! Of course, I wanted to be a cheerleader in high school, who didn’t. I had a great cheer voice but I couldn’t jump two feet of the ground. Since it wasn’t my destiny to be a cheerleader, I found my true calling in drill team. I was a member of the Junior Varsity Drill team, Varsity Drill Team and served as first Lieutenant during my senior year. Because of the incredible influence of my high school director, Kathy Schmidt, I continued my passion for dance drill team at Kilgore College, dancing and traveling with the World Famous Kilgore Rangerettes. I experienced two wonderful tours. My freshman year, I traveled for 17 days on a trip of a life time to Hong Kong and Korea. My sophomore year, I grew from an unbelievable trip to Romania. The time spent under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis and Deanna Bolton shaped my life in dance drill team. I knew without a doubt that directing my own drill team was my destiny. I continued my education at the North Texas State University majoring in Physical Education/Dance and minored in English.
Upon graduation in December of 1979, I happen to see Gussie Nell Davis at a line try-out I was judging at Irving High School. Miss Davis was on a speaking tour, visiting high schools, recruiting seniors to consider trying out for Rangerettes. She had just been at Newman Smith High School and shared with me that the director of the Troyanns had just resigned. She said “Call them now!” When Gussie Nell Davis tells you to do something now, you say “Yes, Ma’ am, thank you” and you call them now! After that first crazy call to the Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, my life would never be the same. I had just completed my student teaching at Lake Highlands and luckily Newman Smith was on the trimester so the timing was perfect. I convinced Mr. Kenneth McKinney, the principal to take a chance on me. I didn’t have a clue how to “teach school” but I knew dance and dance drill team. I promised I would not let him or Miss Davis down. I became the director of the Troyanns on Dec. 9, 1979. The team had only been in full swing since 1977. Ms. Jeanne Young was the originator of the group. They began as the Spiriteers pep squad and grew into a varsity drill team. Suzie Kendricks had taken the team as the second director. I was ecstatic to be the director of the 3rd Line of Troyanns.
Because of my Rangerette training, those beliefs so deeply instilled in me were quickly instilled in Troyanns. Because the team was so new, few traditions had been established. It is overwhelming today to know that some of the things I put in place in 1979 are still here today. The circle and chant “We’re great” were the only true traditions. I kept those traditions and added onto the wonderful layers of Troyanns. The yellow rose as the Troyann flower was added in 1979. The Strut to “Hey look me over” was choreographed in the summer of 1980 and debuted at the first football game that season. The script of the half time performances, “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I direct your attention to the sideline opposite the press box. Taking the field for you half time entertainment, the Shining Stars of Newman Smith High School, the award winning Troyanns” was first heard that same night. The Fantastic Finale Spring Show was brought to the Smith Theatre in the spring of 1981, with the help of the cheerleader coach, Eloise Willis, my dear friend and mentor. Troyanns was a wonder part of my life after college. It was a dream come true.
Another dream come true was to happen in July of 1982, when I married my high school sweetheart, the cutest boy in the world, Jim Roth. We were introduced by my high school drill team director, who just so happened to be his Junior English teacher. Since Jim was a year behind me in school, we “broke up” in the fall of my freshman year at Kilgore. But like Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz, at 24 years of age, I realized that what I was looking for was right there in my own back yard. We found our way back together and married July 17th. He is the perfect “drill team husband”. He is an expert in this field, as he has been drill teaming with me since 1974.
Another dream was to someday own a dance studio. I decided that the 1984-85 school year would be my last as the Troyann director. As hard as it was to leave, it was time for me to explore my life and stretch my wings. I opened the Dance Dynamics Studio at Trinity Mills and Josey Lane in the fall of 1985. Owning my own business was a harder life than I had anticipated but it was a valuable experience. It was on the dream list and even though it turned out not to be exactly what I hoped, at least I know I tried.
Jim and I traveled extensively with Superstar Drill Team, a division of the National Cheerleader Association. I helped produce performances for the Aloha Bowl in Hawaii, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ireland, Cotton Bowl half times and performances for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Chaperoning drill team girls on these life changing trips are fabulous memories. We traveled across the United States for me to judge contest after contest. But things change, our hearts changed and we were ready for the next blessed dream.
Jim and I have two beautiful children. Our boy child, James Robert is a student at the University of Oklahoma. I still can’t believe that my TEXAS born child is a Boomer Sooner. Our girl child, Alyssa is a cheerleader at Creekview High. Yes, I said cheerleader. It is hard to believe that my child would choose cheerleading but God gives us exactly what we need. He knew I wanted to be a cheerleader and since I couldn’t be one, He has let me share this with Alyssa. It is her destiny to be a cheerleader and it is mine to be her mom.
And now you know my story. My life has come full circle. I am blessed beyond words. Stephanie Martin Cherney, my dear sweet potato friend, has allowed me to take her team after 9 years and return to the position of director. There have been seven directors of the Troyanns: Jeannie Young 1975-1978 (Spiriteers/Troyanns), Suzie Kendricks 1978-1979, Debra Pullen Roth 1979-1985, Janet Jordy Newton 1985-1992, Dannette Arrington 1992-1995, Trisha Sheffield 1995-1997, and Stephanie Martin Cherney 1997-2006. Three are former Rangerettes and that influence is evident in the Troyanns today. I became the 3rd director on the 3rd line of Troyanns. With my return this year (2006-07), I take the “baton” again with the 30th line. How could that much time have possibly past? I don’t feel that much older, only that much wiser. It is different this time around but still just as sweet. I am grateful for this fabulous life I have been granted. I can hardly wait to see what the future brings. I am confident that it will continue to a “wild ride”. There is so much more to experience. I am so honored to be here and be a part of this organization, The Shining Stars--The Troyanns.
My first Captain, the second time around, Ginny Vollmer expressed it best when she shared a quote from her favorite movie “Hope Floats.” “Beginnings are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it is the middle that counts.” This is the sweet sweet middle of my life. Thank you all for sharing these days with me.
“… And then I see you and I know, the magic and I am home!”
In the sweet words of Stephanie Martin Cherney,
Tap, Tap, Tap (I love you)
Now and Always!
Debra Pullen Roth
Troyann Director
1979-1985
2006-until……..