Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

The Texas Dance Educators Association will induct the director and choreographer of the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles into its Hall of Fame this week.

Ruth Flynn became the full-time director and choreographer of the Apache Belles in September 1985. She joined TJC in May 1984.

Ms. Flynn will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony Thursday at the Marriott Westchase in Houston.

"It's the highest thing that I could be awarded in the profession," Ms. Flynn said of the award. "I'm in there with Gussie Nell Davis, Mildred Stringer, Al Gilliam, all those people who really founded the art form -- all of those that have had such an impact on our careers. To be counted among them as somebody who made her own contribution to dance/drill team in the education world is just an honor."

Ms. Flynn is one of two who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at that time. Betty Loter will be inducted posthumously. Ms. Loter designed and created costumes and uniforms for many years, a TDEA official said.

Officials with the TDEA said Tuesday that the Hall of Fame honor is the most prestigious award within the association achieved by an individual in the dance/dance team field. That person is someone who has made a significant historical contribution to the dance/dance team world. They do not have to be members of the association to be chosen.

"It's our most high honor and something that most of us know we will never be able to achieve," Kara Baker, TDEA past president and Hall of Fame committee chair, said. "It's the elite group of people who just made a historical impact on the industry. You might get a service award or you might get director of the year, but Hall of Fame is very elite. The chosen few and those we really all respect get in there."

Ms. Baker said that in recommendation letters nominating Ms. Flynn, she was commended for her work with the Apache Belles over the past 25 years.

"When you think of Apache Belles, you think Ruth Flynn," Ms. Baker said. "They're still highly respected in the dance team world."

Nominees are voted on by other Hall of Fame members and TDEA past presidents. They can be nominated by anyone, Ms. Baker said. Ms. Flynn was nominated by several people, including peers and students.

"Her students really feel like that she has influenced them in a positive way expecting their best but always really respectful and loving -- just a great role model," Ms. Baker said.

Ms. Flynn said she has been "blessed with this job."

"I've been honored with getting to make my career this -- teaching, teaching dance and having fun at the same time," Ms. Flynn said. "A lot of people have helped me along the way and students, they come back and have been very supportive and very helpful. It took a village for the last 25 years. I've seen a lot of changes, but it's still fun to go to work."

According to a TJC statement, the Apache Belles have performed during the half-times of more than a dozen college bowl games as well as at many Dallas Cowboys football games, for the Houston Oilers and at two Super Bowls. They've also performed at Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs basketball games and at Texas Rangers baseball games.

The Apache Belles have participated in events featuring nine U.S. presidents and numerous Texas governors and have performed in Ireland, France, Germany, Mexico, and Washington, D.C. and at Disney World.

The Apache Belles first performed in 1947 as the Apache Roses.

The Apache Belles dance in the 2006 Rose Festival Parade. The dance team’s director, Ruth Flynn, will be inducted into the Texas Dance Educators Association Hall of Fame this week.
(Staff File Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)