CLOVIS HIGH WILDCADETTES
LESLIE A. SCROGGINS, DIRECTOR
CLOVIS, N.M.

The Clovis High Wildcadettes drill team was organized in the spring of 1973. Under the direction of Jill Snyder, who had long admired Texas-style teams, the squad attended Summer Camp at SMU to gain a basis for performance. The dedication and expertise of the squads at camp were intimidating to the totally inexperienced squad, however, set in their minds the desire to excel. Armed with more information than could be comprehended, the squad arrived home with a determination to truly impress the hometown crowd.

As in Texas, Football is King in Clovis. The thousands of fans who show up to each Friday night’s game enthusiastically welcomed this new form of entertainment. Although relegated to pre-game performance with the band, a new tradition was born.

In the late 70’s, drill teams became popular among the larger schools in the state, most opting for a mid-western military style. Maintaining Texas origins, the Wildcadettes leaned towards prop, novelty and kick routines, which were well accepted and appreciated by the hometown audience.

As experience was gained and through a succession of directors, the team moved into different forms of dance, which now include everything from Military to Funk. The team is able to adjust to any audience under any circumstances. As quality of entertainment, not competition, has been the primary team goal, diversity of style has been a real plus.

Field uniform styles over the years have greatly changed, from double knit, to Maureen White’s satins, to our present lycra uniforms. The team has maintained a western look for most of its 26 years. When I became the director in 1980, I inherited satin uniforms and over-the-calf, zip-up, impossible to point in, white boots. As awkward as they were, they were a great place to hide props! While the team occasionally wears unitards or costumes on the field, the traditional uniform is what the community identifies with the Wildcadettes.

Unlike many teams, we purchase a new pep rally uniform yearly. It is selected by the officers and director and is the property of the member. With the tightening of the dress code, the cheerleaders and drill team members can no longer wear their Pep Rally uniforms to school on game days. As a result, we decided to go with a whole new look for pep rally—jazz pants and top. The reaction has been very positive and the uniform is more appropriate for the jazz/funk/pom routines we favor for pep rallies.

Being on the Far Eastern part of the state, we put in countless bus hours traveling to football games, our closest competitor being a two-hour drive away. If our band does not make a trip, we perform halftime, otherwise we perform pre-game. We do not perform with the band, which is to the liking of both organizations.

Other traveling involves contest and performances opportunities. We have been to contest in five states and in Tokyo, Japan. Team officers performed at the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty, Hula Bowl and Macy’s Parade. Most recently, the entire squad performed during a European tour in France, Italy, and Monaco.

The success of the team, which usually numbers between 16 and 20, is the result of strong commitment to excellence, through God’s guidance, and a contract that is strictly adhered to, The philosophy of the team revolves around unity and concern for teammates. There is no middle road; a member is either 100% with us, or not with us at all.

I feel very strongly that if something isn’t fun somewhere along the line, it isn’t worth doing. We make sure there are "Kick-back" times when we can just enjoy one another. We certainly do not mind laughing during practice when something funny happens, nor do we forget. When someone does something funny or bizarre, I record it in my grade book, so, by the end of the year, I’ve got the goods on everyone! At our annual banquet, along with the much-coveted awards of excellence, are the gag awards. The girls seem to look forward to these more than the others, even though it means some embarrassment and lots of laughter, at their expense.

Wildcadettes are expected to be respectable in all areas of life and worthy of being looked up to. It is often reiterated that a team member’s behavior reflects on the entire team. Wildcadette Pride has been handed down from squad to squad over the years, honoring the traditions that have become part of the Wildcadette legacy.