Tyler Junior College Apache Belle Drill Team 71st line alumni cheer on the 72nd and 73rd line of dancers during the team's 2019-2020 reveal and performance Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in the Robert M. Rogers Nursing & Health Science Center in Tyler. (Cara Campbell/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Tyler Junior College formally announced its newest team of Apache Belles.

More than 50 young women will make up the 2019-20 line of the precision dance team, which has been around for more than 70 years. The team performs at football games and on stages locally and around the world.

In addition to the announcement, which took place Friday at TJC, the Belles debuted this year’s high-kick routine and presented incoming freshmen with their official Apache Belle necklaces, a memento of their time on the Apache Belles line, according to a TJC news release.

“Formal Announcements mark the kickoff to our year,” director Jasilyn Schaefer said, “and it’s the Apache Belles’ first public performance of the season.

“For the sophomores, it is their time to step into their role as new leaders of the team; and for the freshmen, it marks the ceremonial beginning of their journey as an Apache Belle.”

The team already has a fall trip planned. In October, the Apache Belles will accompany World War II and Korean War veterans on the Brookshire’s Heroes Flight to Washington, D.C.

In 2010, Brookshire Grocery Co. embarked on a mission to escort a group of World War II veterans to Washington to visit the World War II Memorial, along with several other points of interest. The first Heroes Flight took place in May of that year, with 38 veterans attending. The trip was fully funded and coordinated by Brookshire’s, at no cost to the veterans.

To date, more than 400 military veterans have participated in the Heroes Flight.

“We are humbled to have been invited to accompany these service members to Washington,” Schaefer said. “Not only is it an honor to join them and perform for them, it’s also a great educational opportunity for our students to tour our nation’s capital.”

Schaefer added, “To be able to take this trip with a group of our brave military who have defended our freedom is an experience these students will never forget.”

The Apache Belles organization is led by three former Belles: Director Jasilyn Schaefer, artistic director and choreographer Christy Evans, and special performance and recruitment coordinator Dynasti Jefferson.

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; Juan Mejia, Tyler; and Cristopher Reyes, Jacksonville.

Athletic trainer is Tara Manuel of Beaumont.