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Eleanor McDonald of the Willis Sweethearts
WHAT A SWEETHEART: Willis' McDonald an ambassador for the purple and white
WHEN IT COMES TO THE VIBE AT WILLIS HIGH SCHOOL UNDER THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, IT’S HARD TO MISS THE ICONIC SWEETHEARTS DANCE GROUP.
The flashy silver and purple uniforms moving in unison can make it difficult for any, one dancer, to stand out.
However, the team’s captain, senior Eleanor McDonald, has found ways to do just that.
“I first started dancing when I was three years old, and I’ve been at the same studio (Backstage Dance) ever since,” said McDonald. “My mom put me in dance because my younger sister was born, and she wanted me to feel special.
“I’ve stuck with it since, because I really love it. I like to show my feelings through dance, and I have a real passion for it.”
McDonald had the rare opportunity to be a part of the Sweethearts’ 50th anniversary celebration before she was named captain this season.
“Last year, we had a bunch of alumni come back and we danced with them for a football game,” McDonald said. “It was cool to see the varying techniques and uniforms that have been developed over time. It was amazing to witness.
“This year, actually being the captain, it’s great to be a part of that legacy of the Sweethearts and to keep the tradition going.”
Given that she devotes so much of her time to dancing, it might come as a surprise to know that McDonald is an even more superb student. She is currently ranked in the Top 25 overall for the Class of 2024.
“Grades have always been very important to my family, they’ve always been pushing me to get all A’s,” she said.
“I personally hate when I get below a 90... it gives me so much anxiety. I like to maintain that standard because it makes me feel good about myself. I hope to be kind of an inspiration to my peers on the team that way, so they can aspire to do the same.”
McDonald has a plan as she wraps up her days at Willis.
“As of right now, I don’t intend to dance in college,” she said. “I still want to be a part of the dance program, just not on the team. Maybe I’ll teach choreography for other teams and some soloists, so I’ll still be dancing in my free time.”
Passing on her knowledge to others would fit McDonald’s personality, considering she spends time with the youth at her church. She is heavily involved in Vacation Bible School and their mission trips.
Next year, this Willis ambassador won’t have to change her school colors as she plans on majoring in math at Stephen F. Austin University.
What a Sweetheart.
Built For This: Moore Follows Passion To Become Strutter Director
FOR SOME, IT TAKES YEARS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEIR PASSION IS.
Macie Moore knew hers in the ninth grade.
“Back in high school, I was a line member, then a Lieutenant, then a First Lieutenant and then the Captain,” she said. “I held several leadership roles, and I have so many great memories. It made me step out of my shell and become a confident person in front of my peers.”
The new Bridge City Strutter Director fell in love with dance and always wanted to come home to lead the Red and White’s award-winning dance team. That was her dream since high school.
Which was three years ago!
The 21-year-old Moore would not be denied. Upon graduating from Bridge City, she made the world-renown Kilgore Junior College Rangerettes, where she danced for two years.
“Being a part of the Rangerettes opened up a whole new world for me,” she said. “I learned so many styles of dance. We performed everywhere from England to Virginia. It was a great opportunity for a girl from Bridge City, Texas and opened up so many doors for me career-wise.”
She knew she was on the clock, however, knowing legendary Strutter Director Cathy Riley was ready to retire.
“I called and begged her to give me a little more time,” she said. “She knew I really wanted this.”
Moore would finish her Bachelor ’s Degree from Lamar University with head-spinning speed and accuracy.
“I’ve always planned on this being my permanent position,” she said of the Strutters’Director job. “This is where God has placed me, and it’s been a very smooth transition. I love sharing my passion with the girls. It never feels like a job and I can do this forever.”
For Moore, leading strutters has so many layers to it. She is a to teach life lessons.
In ninth grade, the Bridge City Strutters were performing a routine during a pep rally and something wasn’t right for Moore.
“I’ll never forget, it was our ‘ Thriller ’ routine for our Halloween pep rally,” she said. “I blanked out during a performance. That never happened.I had to come off the floor. I cried to let me perform at the football game that night, but Ms. Riley knew something was wrong.”
She was sent to Texas Children’s in Beaumont and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. “It threw me for a loop because I don’t do well with change,” she said. “I didn’t want to stick out from everyone else, having Diabetes. I really struggled emotionally.
“But without Diabetes, I wouldn’t be who I am today. It really built me into a strong, independent woman. That’s what I preach to these girls. There are going to be trials and tribulations in their lives. But if you can get over them, nothing can stop you.”
Moore’s life-lessons hit different because of her age and experience.
“I’m really transparent with the girls and I feel like they can relate to me because I’m really not that much older than them,” she laughed. “Even though they think I act like an 80-year-old woman, I’ve been through what they are going through very recently. I can show them techniques and what they are supposed to look like.
“To think, I was a senior in high school as their pre drill instructor when they were in the eighth grade. Now they are seniors, and I am their Director.”
Life happens fast, doesn’t it?"