Longtime USM 迪克西宠儿 Director Smith Retires

星期五, 01/12/2024 - 04:22pm 作者:迈克·洛平托

After 20 years of devoted service, 特蕾西·史密斯 has decided to retire from her position as 导演 of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) 迪克西宠儿. 她是 ready to hand over the famous white boots to a new leader.

“It has been an honor to direct the University of Southern Mississippi 迪克西宠儿 for the past 20 years,” said Smith. “The memories made at USM as a student, alumnus, and employee are dear to my heart.”  

Smith remembers going to USM games as a youth and being in awe of The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band and 迪克西宠儿. She could not wait to audition and, in 1985, earned 在球队中占有一席之地.

While at USM, not only was she a member of the 迪克西宠儿, but also a Dean’s List Scholar, member of the Golden Key National Honor Society (Science Achievement), Alpha Lambda Delta (Academic Honor Society), and Chi Tau Epsilon (Dance Society). 她完成了 her Bachelor of Fine 艺术 in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating 以优异的成绩.  

After graduation, Smith remained a loyal alum and once the 迪克西宠儿 Alumnae Association was formed, she became a member of that organization, performing with the group at every opportunity.  

In 2003, when the Director of the 迪克西宠儿 position opened, she applied and 被选中. As 导演, Smith has been with the team not only at home and away games, but also in the London New Year’s Day Parade, a Green Bay Packers football game, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Ireland St. Patrick’s Day parade, and various appearances in bowl games and exhibitions across the south.

“All those events were amazing, but my biggest honor has been the multitude of talented and high achieving young ladies that I had the pleasure to teach,” Smith continued. “My job on the surface was to teach them how to be a great dancer/performer and team member, but more importantly I wanted to help them become strong women and leaders, in good times and under adverse conditions. I wanted each of them to know the 迪克西宠儿 legacy and understand what they contributed 对这个组织来说. My hope is that they have fond memories of their time at USM and with the 迪克西宠儿 specifically, but also, they look back to see their personal growth as an independent 年轻的女人.” 

The World-Famous 迪克西宠儿 was created in 1954 by University band Director Dr. Raymond Mannoni (founder) who wanted to start a drill team of young women to perform 带USM波段. Patterned after the Texas Community College Kilgore Rangerettes, 成员 were chosen from their performances in high school as dancers or cheerleaders, beginning with 18 regular dancers. By year's end that number had doubled.

During the 50's, 60's and 70's the DD's, as they are affectionately called, performed at many nationally televised events, including the Sugar Bowl, Blue-Gray Bowl, Senior Bowl, the All-Star Football Game in Chicago, and the Redskins game in Washington, D.C. The media often referred to them as the “Internationally-Famous 迪克西宠儿.”  

The 迪克西宠儿 Alumnae Association was founded in 1994 by Anne Sharp Larman and with the help of Dee Kelly Ervine, it has grown to more than 1,362 members. 每一个 year at 振子结构回家coming the alumnae perform with the current team and have become a standout performance in the stadium. In 2004, for the 迪克西宠儿' 50th Anniversary, 254 DD's marched and danced on the field at Homecoming halftime...最年轻的是 17岁，年龄最大的71岁.

Shannon Sims, the current Dixie Darling Alumnae Association President noted, “My very first year as a Dixie Darling in 2003 was also 特蕾西·史密斯’s first year as Dixie Darling 导演. Who would have thought that I would have been a part of the beginning of a Dixie Darling and USM legacy? Anyone that has crossed paths with Tracy instantly falls in love with her smile, grace and compassion. I, along with hundreds of other ladies, look up to Tracy and will miss her dearly.”

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