Abigail Roby

Abigail Roby is well-prepared for her new role as captain of the award-winning, high-kicking Highlandette drill team at Lake Highlands High School. The rising senior is an experienced dancer and respected leader after serving as a junior lieutenant last year. Besides, she has an inside track to advice from a former captain. Mom Leslie Stiles Roby led the team before graduating in 2000.

When she was just three years old, Abigail began taking lessons at Kitty Carter’s Dance Factory — the same studio where her mother received instruction. Abigail studied hip hop, modern, tap and jazz, and by the time she was ten, she was invited to be part of Carter’s company of elite dancers.

“I really took to Kitty as a teacher because she was challenging and energetic,” says Abigail. “I clicked with her because I like the passion she gives to it. I will always love her and consider her a mentor.”

Much like Carter, who was featured as one of Lake Highlands Advocate’s Fierce Females of 2022, Abigail describes her own leadership style as bold and confident.

“I’m not the quiet person in the room,” she laughs. “I like to go out and talk to people, meet new people and build connections. I like having friendships with the different girls on my team, because when I know them personally, it helps them to respect me as a leader. From there, I try to be confident in what I’m doing and know that I was chosen for a reason. Competence is one of the most important parts of leadership, because when you believe that you are doing a good job, your team can believe that, too. If you trust that you’re doing it right, then they will trust it, too.”

Leading any organization, though, can be isolating, so Abigail works to break down barriers and keep connections strong.

“That’s actually something that has been difficult, and I’ve had to figure it out,” she says. “When we’re in practice, I try to make it professional, and when we’re outside of practice, I try to keep our friendships going.”

Lesley and Abigail Roby learn that Abigail will be the second captain in the family

Abigail has always been aware that both of her parents were LHHS graduates. Daniel, son of Frank and Linda Roby and executive director of Austin Street Center, danced with the Wranglers, sang with Espree and played football for the Wildcats. Abigail enjoys studying memorabilia from those days, especially photos and keepsakes from Lesley’s time on the Highlandette line. Mom Kathy Stiles still lives in the same home on Maplehill where Lesley grew up.

Lesley Stiles Roby, like daughter Abigail, was a junior lieutenant and Dette captain.

“When I was a kid, I would go to my grandma’s house and look at all of my mom’s old Highlandette stuff,” says Abigail. “I would look at her hats and Letterman jacket and think being captain was really cool. She always talked so highly of her experience — I wasn’t planning to be a Highlandette yet, but I had always seen it as honorable.”

“I loved every minute of it,” agrees Leslie, who also served as a junior lieutenant before becoming captain. “I learned so much about leadership. Being able to lead in high school at such a young age — especially with a large group of peers — was unique. It gave me so much confidence. I’m a teacher (at White Rock Elementary) now, but I got to teach the girls and teach the team. I feel like I learned how to teach as a Highlandette officer, and I found my place. I loved getting to take care of the girls.”

As they prepare for football season to begin, the mother-daughter duo is ping-ponging ideas and experiences. During car rides and over the dinner table, they are brainstorming tips for the coming year.

Lesley congratulates Abigail after receiving the coveted white hat

“There’s a way to lead people with confidence but also with respect,” says Lesley. “Where the girls know you care about them, but they remember we’re all here for a purpose. My Highlandette director, Vicki Coleman, really did that well, and those skills carry over into life. You can come into an organization and just take control, but you’re missing the joy of it if you don’t get to know the people. So, for me, in my classroom, it’s getting to know the kids, getting to know the families, building that community, helping them do that with one another.”
Abigail also realizes she is strolling through the community with lots of eyes on her. Plenty of neighbors have grown up with both of her parents. Some even know her grandparents. Older brother Noah is a rising sophomore at Texas A&M. Sister Banner will be a freshman at the University of North Texas. Younger brother Chapel will be in seventh grade at LH Middle School. Many teens would find such a high-profile life burdensome. Not Abigail.

“Families in the community think my parents are amazing,” she says with a wide grin. “People see me in a positive light, so it helps them trust and respect me as a student.”

With so many ties to Lake Highlands, Abigail can quote chapter and verse of Wildcat lore, but she doesn’t spend all her time looking back. She’s ready to bring fresh ideas to her decades-old student organization.

“It’s important to honor most traditions, because that’s what makes Lake Highlands special. Whether it’s rules or physical objects or uniforms — even certain songs, like the traditional finale at Revue or Conquest on the football field. Traditions are meant to be respected as part of what makes us special, but I do think it’s good to start new traditions. That’s what gives an organization character. There’s something cool about being able to make your contribution to the organization and make it better. Everybody comes in with something important they have to offer.”

Dancing with the Dettes, she says, is an example of making a place for the very young. Twice a year, the drill team hosts an all-day dance clinic for elementary-aged students, who later perform with their idols at a football game or spring show.

“It’s really cool to put ourselves out in the community as people the little girls can look up to,” she says. “We’re here because we love to dance, but also because of the impact we can have on other people. We enjoy teaching them, and we want them to feel confident and loved. Building connections with girls in the organization shows them from a young age that this is a welcoming organization. Everyone here is kind and joyful — that’s the environment they’re going to be surrounded by.”

Highlandette joy is particularly amazing, since no student group on LHHS’ entire campus maintains a more demanding yearlong schedule. After summer camp is over, fall practice begins before 7:30 a.m. each morning. Competition season is next, and Spring Revue preparations follow that, with various additional performances and auditions peppering the way.

“I really love it, because dance is my thing. This is where I love to be. I get to have those friendships, and most of us feel that way. But there are times when it’s challenging, because you’ll go to a football game until late on Friday night then have a busy weekend with homework or dance lessons then an early morning practice on Monday again. It’s difficult that you don’t catch a break, but it’s enjoyable as much as it is exhausting,” she says.

Abigail is also involved in C 3:16, a student-led bible study for kids in Dallas and Richardson, and she is a team lead in the student ministry at her church. She’s a member of National Honor Society and Girls Service League, and she’s working as a nanny this summer. When the curtain goes down on Highlandette Revue, Abigail is planning to head off to either Baylor University or Texas A&M to study business.

Responses have been lightly edited for space and clarity.