by Hanna Singh
Throwing it back in style, two Ruston natives and former Kilgore Rangerettes, Heidi Slaughter and Kristen Edwards Weeks, are returning to the stage at the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
They will join 767 former Rangerettes in a dazzling halftime performance, marking the team’s 85th anniversary and 75th consecutive appearance at the iconic event.
The world-famous Kilgore Rangerettes, the Kilgore college dance and drill team, are bringing alumni from 33 states and 275 cities together for this milestone celebration. The performing alumni range in age from their early 20s to an inspiring 93 years old. Among these ladies are Slaughter and Weeks, traveling from Ruston to Arlington, Texas for this once in a lifetime event.
Representing their hometown of Ruston and their alma mater, Cedar Creek, Slaughter and Weeks have dedicated time to learning the choreography for this historic halftime show. Both women are proud to once again don the iconic red, white, and blue Rangerette uniform and reconnect with their former teammates.
Slaughter, a member of the 42nd Rangerette line, served with the team for two years. Her journey began with inspiration during her time on Cedar Creek’s Drill Team, and she recalls many heartfelt memories from her time as a Rangerette. She shared her feelings about reconnecting with her old teammates once again.
“I found out about the Rangerettes when I went to our summer drill camp when I was on the Emerald Drill Team at Cedar Creek. I tried out and I made it. I can honestly say my time as a Rangerette was the best 2 years of my life. I just loved it,” Slaughter said. “I’m looking forward to just seeing old friends because it truly is a sisterhood. My forever sisters. Honestly, I am just also looking forward to performing one last time.”
A member of the 46th Rangerette line, Weeks danced with the team for 2 years from 1985-1987. She fondly remembers her time on the team and looks forward to experiencing one more memorable moment with the ladies.
“I am blessed to be a member of the Kilgore Rangerette Forever organization and honored to be able to perform again with my Rangerette sisters,” Weeks said. “We all share many wonderful memories of our time with the Kilgore Rangerettes and are happy to make another beautiful memory performing in this year’s Cotton Bowl.”
Founded in 1939, the Rangerettes were the first group of their kind, paving the way for many drill and dance teams to be formed across America. They are highly regarded as one of the best dance and drill teams in the world, recruiting only the best dancers for their groups.
For Slaughter and Weeks, the chance to perform again is also a chance to celebrate the friendships and moments that shaped their lives. As longtime members of the Kilgore Rangerette Forever organization, Slaughter and Weeks have supported the legacy of the Rangerettes for years. Now, they’ll sparkle again under the Cotton Bowl lights, proving that once a Rangerette, always a Rangerette.
