Spotlight on Katy ISD High School Dance Team Directors

KATY MAGAZINE I December 2019

By Natalie Cook Clark

Rehearsals. Dedication. Teamwork. Meet the Dance Team Directors of Katy. They coach and inspire the students in their competitive high school programs to challenge themselves on and off the field.

Katy

Patty Henson

Katy Bengal Brigade

Henson has been the director for the Katy Bengal Brigade for 37 years, with a total 39 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Lutheran University and a degree in Dance from Texas Women's University. Henson was also featured in Katy Magazine's August/September 2016 issue.

Unforgettable Memories

"When you have been a director for as long as I have, there are so many poignant memories," says Henson. "The performance of 'Salute to America’s Finest' at the Rockets game right after the start of Desert Storm, the emotions were high and the standing ovation of the audience taught our girls what true patriotism means.

Dancing through Heartache

Henson has also led the Bengal Brigade through some difficult times. In 2004, Sara Krauss, a junior Brigade dancer, collapsed during a routine practice. She passed away due to an undetected heart disease.

"Sara’s quiet demeanor and beautiful smile reminded me to listen with my heart," says Henson.

The Brigade chose to dance their planned kick routine at the football game just days after her death, knowing that was what she would have wanted. After the dance the team held a moment of silence for Sara.

"There were tears on both sides," says Henson. "But to watch our girls struggle to finish is something that will remain with me daily, as will the memory of Sara."

A Dancing Support System

Watching the team's dynamic through success and hardships further proves how valuable these experiences are for the students.

"I believe that Katy Brigade offers one of the best means for our teens to grow with others their own age," explains Henson. "The Brigade and cheerleaders offer companionship while also teaching discipline, determination and self-motivation. Being a member of a team holds you accountable to that team, to those individuals, but it also gives you the support system that is always there for you."

A Single Mom

Henson, a single mom has called Katy home for 37 years.

"I have been blessed with the best son ever," says Henson. "My son Ross graduated from Katy High School last year. He attended Katy Elementary and Woodcreek Junior High. Ross is now attending the American Musical and Dramatic Arts Conservatory in New York."

Recently, Henson was nominated for the Texas Dance Educator's Association Lifetime Achievement Award. The winner will be announced in January.

A Privilege to Watch Them Grow

"This job has given me the opportunity to share in the lives of 1000’s of girls and a few boys over the years," says Henson. "I have the privilege of watching them grow, to challenge them in the dance and cheer arena but most of all in life."

Mayde creek

Heather Iovine

Mayde Creek Martinettes

Katy ISD Bred Heather Iovine, director to the Mayde Creek Martinettes, is the example of the type of person and professional that Katy ISD can produce. Iovine laid the building blocks for her career as a Pacesetter at Taylor High School. She acted as Lieutenant Colonel during her junior year and Colonel her senior year. She experienced first hand the benefits that these young women can get from being part of a team.

A Dance Family

"Dance team gives students a group of like-minded friends and a family away from home," says Iovine. "It teaches them important life skills such as conflict resolution, time management, and critical thinking. Students graduate from this program understanding hard work is necessary in order to succeed, and how important it is to hold yourself accountable for your actions."

From Taylor Pacesetter to Professional

When Iovine graduated from Taylor HS, she stayed a Texas girl and attended Texas Christian University where she received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Modern Dance with an emphasis in Classical Ballet. Since then, Iovine has built a solid career in dance education, including being the director of Trendsetter Dance. This is her sixth year as director for the Martinettes.

So many memories..

Iovine has experienced many of her best dance memories at Mayde Creek.

"Watching a team of young ladies come together to raise each other up and become each other's strongest support system is my favorite memory each year," says Iovine. "The bonds these girls build over a course of a year is incredible. But what amazes me even more is that this mentally has not just become a habit but a legacy for the Martinettes."

A Growing Mayde Creek Family

Iovine married Josh May this summer, making their Mayde Creek bond even stronger since he is the head basketball coach for the school's Lady Rams.

This season, the Martinettes will add a special new member to their team because Iovine and May

are expecting their daughter, Piper this spring.

cinco ranch

Samantha Shilk-Cockerham

Cougar Stars

"I'm doing the job that I dreamed of doing as a little girl," says Samantha Shilk-Cockerham. "I remember looking up to my dance instructors as a young dancer and into college."

Now she is in her seventh year directing the Cougar Stars and 19th year overall of directing drill teams.

Experience Led Her to Dream Job

Shilk-Cockerham gained experience with the Dance Company at Texas State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Dance and Speech Communication. After college, she worked as the director and dance instructor at Cedar Park Middle School, and then as the assistant director at Cedar Park High School. Shilk-Cockerham also owned her own dance studio in Round Rock. Before leading the Cougar Stars she was the Head Director and Dance teacher at Cypress Springs High School.

"It’s a dream job, a way of life, and the only 'job' I can see myself doing," says Shilk-Cockerham. "I have learned so much from the students, fellow teachers and parents that I am surrounded by each day."

Dancing as Individual vs. Team

Having taught dance to students of various ages, Shilk-Cockerham can see the difference and benefits of high school dance teams.

"Some students in dance are often very much focused on themselves and correcting technique on their own bodies," says Shilk-Cockerham. "When they get to Cougar Stars, some of those same dancers, reveal how broken they were by previous dance experiences, and we work hard to heal those broken dancers with compassion, sisterhood, and positive feedback. We work hard and have high expectations."

"The dancers who used to move as individuals in constant competition with one another, look to the left and to the right of them and see sisters that are working for the good of the team," explains Shilk-Cockerham. "Changing a young dancer’s outlook on themselves is a huge reward and a reason for dancers to get involved in dance team at school."

Role Models to Tiny Dancers

The Cougar Stars have many performances and activities planned for the year.

"One of our favorite performances is with our Little Miss Cougar Stars," says Shilk-Cockerham. "Dancing on the field with their special guests is always so much fun! I always tell our Stars to think about all the young dancers in our community that look up to them and use that as motivation to be kind, confident, and helpful young ladies both in and out of school."

A Supportive Family

Shilk-Cockerham has been married to Casey Cockerham for 18 years.

"He has been there from the beginning of my career and has sat through countless football games, contests and Spring Shows. He's right there by my side!"

The Cockerhams have two boys. Donovan is in fifth grade and Daxton is in Kindergarten, both attend Fielder Elementary. They have lived in Katy for 10 years.

morton ranch

April Hunt

maverick Belles

April Hunt started her career as a student on the drill team and now she's giving her special insight into leading a team of high school dancers. This is Hunt's 16th year as the Director of Morton Ranch's Maverick Belles and her 17th year overall teaching in public school.

Extensive Training

Hunt trained for 14 years in ballet, tap, and jazz. At Victoria High School, she was a member of the varsity dance team and served as an officer her senior year. Hunt went on to graduate magna cum laude from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance.

Maverick Belles at the Super Bowl

An incredible highlight from Hunt's dance career was being part of a Super Bowl halftime show.

"I will never forget the opportunity to be a part of Super Bowl 51," says Hunt. "The halftime production took months to organize and rehearse and watching everything come together was indescribable."

Hunt is proud to be a Maverick and the director of the Belles.

"Morton Ranch High School has always felt like home and I treasure my Maverick family as much as my own," says Hunt. "I am also very blessed to work alongside some of the most talented, supportive and creative dance directors in our state."

More Than Pom Poms

"I have said for years that dance team is far more than pom poms and red lipstick," says Hunt.

She also believes that students in in this program learn vital lifelong skills that make them well rounded adults and employees.

"One year of service on a dance team will expose team members to time management, communication skills, physical fitness, injury prevention, team building strategies, leadership skills, responsibility, self-confidence and above all discipline," says Hunt. "We are able to achieve that all through the art of dance."

A High Standard

Hunts holds her dance team members to a high standard. They work tirelessly to support their fellow Mavericks while preparing for their own competition and spring concert season.

"My goal is for the Maverick Belles to take pride in their organization at all times and to always think team before self," says Hunt.

Directing While Raising A Family

Hunt admits it's difficult to be a dance team director and raise a family.

"It takes a lot of balance and time management to be an effective director and mother," says Hunt. "I am so fortunate to have a supportive husband that has allowed me to do what I love every day!"

She has been married to Gregg Hunt for 17 years. They moved to Katy in 2004 when April took the job at Morton Ranch, the year the school opened. They have two children, Ryleigh and Ayden who both attend Katy Junior High.

seven lakes

Kirsten Gillespie

Sapphires

This may be Kirsten Gillespie's first year as the director of the Seven Lakes High School Sapphires, but not her first year with the team. For four years, she was the Sapphires' assistant director.

Her 22 years of dance experience includes many disciplines: ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, and tap. This Texas girl was one of the first Captains and the first Colonel of her drill team at Kingwood Park High School in Humble ISD. In 2010, Gillespie was named an All-State Dancer at the Texas Dance Educators Association annual convention.

Gillespie earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology with a Dance Science concentration from Texas A&M University, and received the Honor Graduate award for the Dance Department her senior year.

A Rewarding Job

"The most rewarding part of my job is having a student for most of their high school career and seeing the tremendous growth that happens in that short amount of time," says Gillespie. "High school can be a really challenging time for these young people and having the ability to mentor, encourage, and teach them life lessons along the way is such an honor."

Gisellepie hopes her students fall in love with dance by the end of their high school years, and they realize that dance provides them with a safe, positive environment that helps them grow as a person.

A School Family

There's a lot of pressure in high school and having a school "family" can help.

"Being a part of a dance team is the perfect example where girls feel welcomed, find community, and have the opportunity to express themselves through dance in a safe environment," says Gillespie. "There is nothing more rewarding than hitting that perfect formation, or winning a prestigious award knowing full-well that they could not have accomplished that without everyone on their team."

The dance gym is widely considered the girls’ second home.

"This is their happy place, an escape from the stresses of school or home, and a place they are always welcomed," explains Gillespie. "Whenever these students reflect on their high school careers, they won’t think about what grade they got on a test or what their class rank was; they are going to remember the friendships and memories they made in the extra-curricular activities they chose to be a part of."

Exciting Year Ahead

The Sapphires have an exciting year ahead and have been working very hard.

"We have some strong, powerful dancers this year and I cannot wait to show them off at our three competitions in February," says Gillespie. "This season, the Sapphires will perform contemporary, jazz, lyrical, modern, novelty and pom."

Gillespie has been happily married to Jared Gillespie for four years. He is a high school teacher and coach in Cy Fair ISD. The couple moved to Katy right after their wedding in 2015 when she accepted the Assistant Director position at Seven Lakes.

tompkins

Rosey Fortenberry

Crimson Cavalettes

Rosey Fortenberry has been directing the Tompkins Cavalettes for seven years, but her 21st year overall as a drill team director.

When she was in school, Fortenberry performed with the drill team and served as an officer. She danced for four years with the University of Houston Dance Department, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Kinesiology with a secondary Dance Certification and Physical Education Certification.

Dream Job

"Teaching dance and directing has been and is my dream job," says Fortenberry. "I cannot imagine doing anything else."

She says she feels like a second mom to her dance team students, and has created wonderful relationships over the years. She loves being a part of their lives and watch them grow into young adults and start their own families.

Once in a Lifetime

"Just a few weeks ago I definitely experienced a “high” in my career while I was watching my team execute technique across the floor," says Fortenberry. "As I watched each line of young ladies go across, all I could hear and see were the cheers of encouragement and praise that their teammates were giving them. It was awe inspiring as I have never had a team so supportive of every single girl, it had me in tears to witness my beautiful team lifting each other up! The teams’ chemistry this year seems to be one in a lifetime."

The Year Ahead

The Cavalettes have an exciting year ahead.

"We are excited to showcase the contest season aspect of our team which includes advanced contemporary, lyrical, jazz and pom, all choreographed by prestigious and remarkable choreographers," says Fortenberry. "The Crimson Cavalettes are constantly working to improve their technique and movement quality. We strive to make this evident in all of our performances from football to contest to our end of year Spring Show."

Fortenberry is celebrating 21 years of marriage with Clint Fortenberry. They have two sons, Tyler 28 and Lane 17. Lane is a senior at Tompkins High School. They have lived in Katy for over 6 years.

paetow

Christine Deci

Silver Strutters

Christine Deci is celebrating her third year with the Paetow High School Silver Strutters. Over the last nine yeas, she has gained experience training on a competitive studio dance team or drill team. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Dance Education from Texas State University, where she danced for four years in their dance department.

Brightest and Most Talented Students

"We get to work with some of the brightest and most talented students on our campuses each year which I find to be so motivating and refreshing," says Deci. "As a Dance Team Director I feel like I am always learning and growing as a person and a dancer which has had a huge impact on my life and shaped me into who I am today."

Being a part of the Dance Team is one of the most positive experiences that teenage girls can have in high school. Deci believes

"We help them discover self-confidence in a positive and encouraging manner," says Deci. "They build lasting friendships with their teammates and create lifelong memories that they will cherish. But most importantly, each team learns that their success is not defined by the trophies they win or the titles they earn, but by the legacy they leave behind."

Katy ISD's Newest Dance Team

Paetow High School is the newest high school to the district. Now that the Silver Strutters have three classes represented on the team, this will be an exciting year of establishing traditions that will continue with the team for countless years to come.

"I think fans can expect to see a lot of new and exciting things from the Silver Strutters this year," says Deci. "We have more than doubled in size since the first year we opened and with it being our first year to have a senior class, we get to add in all of the fun traditions that come with it. We are pulling out all the stops to make this year our best one yet!"

"Though our job can be very busy at times, it brings so much depth and joy into our lives," says Deci.

Taylor

Barbie Parker

Taylor Pacesetters

Although this is Barbie Parker's second year directing the Taylor Pacesetters, she has taught dance for 39 years, and previously was a director and choreographer at the University of Hawaii. Plus, she was a choreographer for the Houston Oilers cheerleaders and led them through many Bowl games. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance and Dance, with certifications in Dance, Health, and P.E.

As Football Season Ends, An Exciting Dance Season Begins

When most Katy residents think of high school drill teams, they think of the spirited dances at a football game halftime show. Once football season ends, the work really begins for drill teams as they enter their competition season.

"Every season is special," says Parker. "If I had to pick just one, it would have to be the year my team went totally undefeated, not only in winning overall titles, but every dance entered (team, officer, social dance and duet division). In addition, we won two Overall National Team titles that year."

Benefits of the Team

Studies show that students participating in team sports usually have a higher GPA, are better organized with their time. Most importantly though, students part of a team tend to be better prepared for life after high school.

Parker observes that the students who have participated in her dance class program are surprised at how much athleticism is required. They soon discover the benefits from being a part of the dance team positively impact so many aspects of their lives.

"I feel dance team and dance education provides our students with physical, emotional, social and cognitive development," says Parker. "They become confident in their bodies. They connect emotions through their dance helping them deal with issues with friends, family or personal issues. They learn teamwork, develop a better sense of trust and learn how to cooperate in a group and make new friends."

Exciting Season Ahead

The Pacesetters have a very exciting year planned.

"Being my second year as director I am starting to see some real improvement," says Parker. "Not only in their dance skills and technique, but also in the team understanding what is expected. We have a lot to look forward to. We will be preparing for contest (three contests this year) and a big spring show (May 1 and 2). The Pacesetters are on a roll and moving in a great direction."

Dance Director, Wife, and Mom

Parker and her husband Richard have four children. Raymond is in his 18th year in the Air Force, Kila Savoy is a teacher for VIP kids, Charles is a teacher for A&M Consolidated, and Kai is an extreme mountain climber.

Barbie and her husband have lived in Pearland, Texas for twenty years.

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