Panther Pride readies for competition

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The drill team has practice every morning from 7:30 am to 9 am, and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm. Sometimes practice may conclude up to an hour late, in the case that there is a large amount of “cleaning” to do.  During these productive practices, the officers assist Walker in “cleaning” dances.

“My main job right now is to clean all of our dances,” Captain Madeline DuBose said. “Meaning we might do a particular part of a dance over and over until it looks perfect. It’s a lot to do, but that’s why the team and I must keep an optimistic attitude and be willing to work.”

Before practice daily, the Panther Pride works out conditioning their bodies for the long practices that take place during competition season. In order to remain healthy and in shape, Walker stresses the importance of having a healthy diet so the girls will have enough energy for practice.

According to Chelsie Brazeil, a returning member to the team, Walker always tells them to not drink soda.

“But instead,” Brazeil said, “Waker tells us to drink lots of water, and to ‘make sure you’re eating’, which means to eat a lot.”

With competition being less than a week away, the Panther Pride drill team is working hard to be prepared for this competition.

“Competition is important because it allows the team to compete against area drill teams and to have the opportunity to be exposed to other dancers,” Walker said.

Some members may be experiencing their first competition performance, but it also may be the last for others. The Panther Pride seniors view this year’s competition as bittersweet.

Senior and officer, Maegan Mahoney,  said with competition coming up, she is reminded that her drill team career is coming to an end.

“I’m sad that it is my last competition,” Mahoney said, “but I feel that our dances are definately better than last year and I’m sure this competition is going to be the best one yet.”

The Panther Pride Drill Team is notorious for winning many awards at competition and it seems as though this year will be no different. What Brazeil is looking forward to the most for this year’s competition is “the reward of kicking butt.”

The team will perform all of their competition dances at “Show-offs.” The solo/duet show-off will be 5 p.m., Feb. 17 at the Lufkin Middle School Auditorium, and the team Show-off will take place the 6 p.m., Feb. 18 at the Lufkin High School Purple Gym.