Big Country Ford takes pride in helping contribute to the success of all student activities at Brownwood High School and recently made a donation to the Brownwood Lionettes to help fund their trip to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this year.

Kurt Newton of Big Country Ford recognized the Lionettes at last Friday’s pep rally by presenting their sponsor Stacee Hetzel with a check for $1,000.  Taken by complete surprise, Hetzel and the Lionettes were emotional and very grateful for the support.  The Lionettes dedication to perform each Friday night at Brownwood Lions’ football games was also recognized.

The Lionettes attended a camp at SMU in June under the direction of American Dance Drill Team.  Five Lionettes were chosen as All American Honorable Mention Dancers (Destiny Muenzler, Bethany Pittman, Alexis Garcia, Shania Dixon, and Alex Hetzel) and the entire team earned the title of All American Team.

With the All American Team title, the BHS Lionettes are invited to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and/or the Capital One Bowl halftime performance. The cost of registration for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is $1850 per girl with additional costs for airfare.

The Lionettes will leave on November 23rd, having rehearsals each day before their performance on Thanksgiving Day, and will return on the 29th.

According to Hetzel, the Lionettes’ part of the parade is being directed by Spirit of America Productions and she will go as a spectator, which is an unfamiliar role for her as their sponsor.  Hetzel stated that the girls will be able to see the “behind the scenes” of the parade and will be followed by NBC Studios during the event.

“They are really excited and I am too,” said Hetzel.  “We have had girls chosen as All American Dancers in the past, but this is the first time we have been chosen as a team.”

According to Hetzel, it will be a once in a lifetime experience for the Lionettes, as only one member has ever traveled to New York before and as most people, they have only seen the parade on television in past years.  Sightseeing to many iconic places is also in their itinerary including visits to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, a Broadway Show, the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes, and much more.

Pictured above is Kurt Newton of Big Country Ford presenting the check to Hetzel at Brownwood High School.  From left to right are Newton with Lionettes Emerald Fernandez, Darian Philbrick, Destiny Muenzler, Bethany Pittman, and their sponsor Stacee Hetzel.

The Lionettes and Hetzel are working hard to raise the funds needed for the trip.  So far, the $1850 per Lionette has been raised for their trip; however, their airfare and other incidental expenses have not been raised. Anyone that would like to support the Lionettes can contact Stacee Hetzel @ [email protected] or call 325-642-7379.

Pictured below is Lionettes captain Destiny Muenzler with the Brownwood High School iguana that wandered up as the photo above was taken.  The 4 ft. iguana lives in the courtyard at BHS, originally placed there by the BHS Science Department.