The Tyler Junior College Apache Belles will be kicking off the holiday season in Lone Star style at the 70th Annual H-E-B Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Apache Belles are featured entertainers in the parade and will perform their high-kick routine at the “performance stop” in front of the grandstands.
“This will be the 20th year for the Apache Belles to perform in this parade,” Apache Belles Director Jasilyn Schaefer said. “We’re proud to spend our Thanksgiving sharing a bit of TJC friendliness and hospitality with the people of Houston.”
Apache Belles artistic director/choreographer is Christy Evans. Special performance and recruitment coordinator is Dynasti Jefferson. Schaefer, Evans and Jefferson are all former Apache Belles themselves.
The parade will be televised live beginning 9 a.m. Thursday on KHOU in Houston. Livestreaming will be available on KHOU.com and the KHOU Facebook page.
Parade grand marshal will be Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale.
The parade has long been a Texas tradition and is the largest parade in the state, attracting crowds of up to 400,000 along the parade route, in addition to those watching on television.
Along with the Apache Belles, there will be floats, hot air balloons, marching bands and, of course, an appearance by Santa, to get the holiday season started.
Introducing the 2019-20 team
Sophomores and members of the 72nd line: Cassie Bennett, Lindale; Hailey Borek, Austin; Heather Bridges, Conroe; Jenny Burch, Chandler; Makayla Bustos, Bryan/College Station; Lilly Capetillo, Mansfield; Autumn Cox, Navasota; Kendal Cross, Deer Park; Spencer Ford, Denton; Avangeline Graves, Corinth; Addie Howard, Huntington; Ashley Howell, Flower Mound; Tea Lopez, Rowlett; Emilia Medina, Tyler; Madi Murphy, Tyler; Kortney Osburn, Bryan/ College Station; Marlena Redmond, Rowlett; Madison Smith, Carthage; Justine Spisak, North Richland Hills; Tori Staggs, Abilene; Taylor Struggs, Tyler; Mia Tatum, Jacksonville; Kyara Williams, Mesquite; Caroline Woodard, Tyler; and Breanna Yocum, Springdale, Arkansas.
Freshmen and members of the 73rd line: Shirlye Bañuelo, Garland; Megan Chambliss, Joshua; Gaby Contreras, Fort Worth; Avery Davis, Deer Park; Camryn Fiorentino, Tyler; Landry Fowler, Tyler; Charliesia Gill, Houston; Brianna Gomez, Houston; McKinley Gregg, Kilgore; April Johnson, Joshua; Misty Jones, Tyler; Tawnya Jones, Lindale; Jordyn Kerr, Denton; Gabby Leon, Texarkana; Evelyn Lira, Denton; Gabi Mantecon, Denton; Shaleigh Masters, Crosby; Katy McMichael, Weatherford; Thelma Medrano, League City; Hailey Ray, Chapel Hill; Ashley Sims, Marshall; Kendall Smith, Burleson; Meagan Smith, Hallsville; Grace Soules, Hallsville; Julianna Tamayo, Jacksonville; Emmalie Thompson, Victoria; Samantha Tolentino, Abilene; Chloe Walker, Robinson; Korleigh Webb, Fort Worth; Beatrice White, Belton; and Olivia Wright, Aubrey.
Belle Guards: Matt Jones, Tyler; Patrick McClain, Lindale; Alejandro Mejia, Tyler; and Cristopher Reyes, Jacksonville.
Athletic trainer is Tara Manuel of Beaumont.
For more on the Apache Belles, go to ApacheBelles.com.