Gracie Stokes, Emily Windwehen, Kay Elliott, Chelsea Mendel and Alyssa McLemore receive their official batons Sunday, photo courtesy of Kilgore Rangerettes
Alyssa McLemore has earned a spot as next year’s Left End Lieutenant on the award-winning Kilgore Rangerettes. McLemore graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 2025.
Eighteen talented dancers auditioned to lead the 86th line of the world’s first precision drill team, and five young women were rewarded with ceremonial batons Sunday afternoon. McLemore will be joined by Captain Kay Elliott from Dripping Springs, Right End Lieutenant Gracie Stokes from Tyler, Right Middle Lieutenant Emily Windwehen from China Spring and Left Middle Lieutenant Chelsea Mendel from Allen.
McLemore served as captain of the Lake Highlands Highlandettes and said her favorite high school drill team memory was going to Disney World during her sophomore year.
“I loved having the opportunity to bond with my team and experience Disney for the first time,” she said during senior year recollections.
She’s studying kinesiology at Kilgore.
The Rangerettes were created in 1940 by Gussie Nell Davis and make regular appearances at NFL pregame and halftime shows for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. They have performed in 76 Cotton Bowl halftimes in a row, and each year sophomores receive a commemorative watch from the Cotton Bowl Committee to mark their participation. They have charmed audiences at five presidential inaugurations, multiple Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades and tours across the world.
McLemore represents the Rangerettes at an event honoring Veterans
Alyssa McLemore (center, wearing all white) leads the Highlandettes, photography by Jose Negrete
Alyssa McLemore (wearing all white) at an LHHS pep rally, photography by Jose Negrete
