Golden Girls celebrate 25th year anniversary
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Chad Wilson Photo The Brownsboro Golden Girls performed at the Annual Community Wide Homecoming Pep Rally last Friday.

Brownsboro High School's Golden Girls have been conducting drills for 25 years, and they plan to celebrate it. The drill team was formed in early 1982.

Maggi Debenport, Golden Girl parent and director for 13 years, said the group was created when several students went to a teacher and asked to make a drill team.

"She went to the principal and the Golden Girls were born," Debenport said.

Debbie Morten, the current director of Golden Girls, said the program's name was not always Golden Girls.

"It started in '82," Morten began, "It was named Golden Girls for a year, then it was switched to Belladonnas for a year, then it changed to Golden Girls again. I think it was for the better."

The girls perform their routines at events such as halftime programs at football games, pop routines for pep rallies, and events at basketball games. They have even performed at the Cotton Bowl, a major college football game, as well as at a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Morten said the girls are becoming involved in the community.

"We started doing community service projects," Morten added. "We did a breast cancer walk, and we'll be working with the police department's Toys for Tots program."

Morten also expressed appreciation for the program's having been active for so long.

"A lot of schools don't even have drill teams," Morten commented.

Debenport said a birthday party is planned for this year.

The birthday party, Debenport continued, will be during the third quarter of the Bears' football game against Canton in Bear stadium on October 26.

"We hope to put together a scrapbook with cards from members past and present, and with pictures," Debenport said.

After 25 years, the program has something to show for its time in the sun, said Kim Golden, current captain of the Golden Girls.

"The Golden Girls teaches you a lot about discipline and respect," Golden said. "I think people know we're a respectful team."

Golden went on to say she enjoys the feeling when a young girl approaches her and asks to touch a Golden Girl's uniform.

"I love being able to be a role model to other girls," Golden added.

Debenport said the program is an opportunity to be part of a group, and to learn a work ethic to carry to college.

"It's as good as its name," Debenport said, "Golden."

Golden Girls are also awarded `Golden Girl of the week' honors, see page 11.