Legacy is something seniors talk about a lot. It is important for some seniors to know they left their mark and made the school a better place while spending four years here.
KLAWS will be seniors Janelle Geyer’s and Kennedy Freeman’s legacy. For the first time in campus history, the school is officially home to a majorette drill team. The group was created this year the two seniors who recognized a major gap in representation and diversity within the school’s dance programs.
Majorette dancing has roots in historically Black colleges and universities, commonly known as HBCUs, and blends high energy technique with cultural expressions, rhythm and precision. While majorette teams have gained national attention through college programs and social media, they are rarely offered traditional high school dance settings.
Geyer explained that her motivation for starting the team came from personal experience.
“I started this team because there’s not a lot of diversity in this school,” she said. “I’m a cheerleader and track runner, and I hear a lot of girls that look like me saying they want to try out for cheer and that’s not a bad thing, but I know it’s not going to be what they expect. I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re overshadowed or don’t belong, so I made a team for girls who have the same passion for dance that I do.”
Her mission was clear, to build a space where students would feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated for who they are. Together, Geyer and Freeman officially launched the school’s first ever majorette drill team, opening the door for a new style of dance and a new type of community.
Freeman said her goal was to push for a program that reflects every student on campus.
“We wanted to create a team that’s more diverse, inclusive, and add more options to dance that makes everyone feel like they fit in,” Freeman said.
Another co-captain emphasizes her commitment to the team’s future.
“This is something I am very passionate about and I really want to make this something that works and is lasting after I graduate,” Geyer said.
According to the team’s coach, English teacher Jasmine Banks, the introduction of a majorette program fills a cultural gap many dancers have wanted to see.
“I wanted to coach dance because I have high school and college experience, but in high school there are limits to the types of dances that are practiced, like jazz, military and pom,” Banks said. “However, other styles are not usually offered. Two girls came to me about starting a majorette team that is diverse and inclusive of a different culture. The two types we explore are HBCU and Hip Hop. This type of dance is different from traditional, so I agreed and made it happen.”
Within just the first week, interest exploded. KLAWS is preparing its first performances, continuing to train and building a legacy that the program hopes will grow long after this year’s seniors walk the stage. More than just dancing, the team hopes to become a symbol of empowerment, culture and unity, proof that student voices and leadership can reshape a campus. And for the girls who once felt overlooked, KLAWS is a reminder that they belong.
“When we were going to start as a club, 24 girls signed up,” Banks said. “The two girls from before explained their passion and ideas to expand and make history with this team.”
