First Ladies earn more awards

The Whitehouse High School First Ladies Drill Team won many awards last weekend at the Lone Star Senior State Championship Competition in Round Rock, including "Most Outstanding Team," an award that is voted on by other teams at the competition.

The First Ladies performed three challenging routines to a panel of professional judges and were awarded first runner-up in the large team division. This division included several 5A schools from the Austin and San Antonio area.

They also won the "Sweepstakes - Award of Excellence" and the prestigious "Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence," earned by receiving a 90 or above on all routines entered in the contest.

The First Ladies won "State Champions" for their Modern and Pom routines and second runner-up for their jazz routine. Other awards for the three routines included "Best Overall Choreography," "Best Overall Technique," "Best Overall Precision," and "Best Overall Presentation."

The First Ladies Officers also excelled at the competition and were named the "State Champions" in the large team division and winning first place for all three routines entered: Jazz, Modern, and Lyrical.

In addition to the "Sweepstakes/ Award of Excellence," the officers also won "Best Overall Choreography," "Best Overall Technique," "Best Overall Precision," and "Best Overall Presentation."

Officers for 2006-2007 are Capt. Dru Dawkins, First Lt. Whitney Greeney and Rachel Lunsford, Rachel Marble and Laura Viergever.

The officers performed solos in addition to dancing in the six team and officer routines. Dru Dawkins was named second runner-up soloist, and Whitney Greeney was named third runner-up soloist in the large team category.

The First Ladies are under the direction of Mrs. Shelly Johnston.

Many of the routines featured in this contest will be performed at the First Ladies annual Spring Spectacular (see related story page 3B).