WHS Charmers have big goals for 60th line

This year marks the 60th year of Waxahachie High School’s Cherokee Charmers, and they plan to continue in excellence like those before them.

Captain Keziah Hanna wants the year to reflect and honor all the lines that have come before her.

“My goal is for all of us to get a really close bond, and just make sure we’re all coming together and forming that sisterhood that’s been the legacy of Charmers for so long,” Hanna said. “… (and) to keep up the legacy that has been going on and make sure that the 60th line is doing the alumni proud.”

Cherokee Charmer director Erica Pointer-Wilcox said she encourages her girls to remember their passion for dancing and let it lead them throughout the year.

“My goals are for the girls to always keep their light on, and for the light to not go dim,” Pointer-Wilcox said. “I want them to always remember their why … because that’s going to be your driving force.”

The drill team has four competitions in the spring semester, including one in Hawaii. Pointer-Wilcox said they are working to improve their scores across the board.

“(We’ll) take what we were critiqued on last year for our areas of weaknesses and improve those, and then (take) the areas we were strong in and make those even more stronger,” she said.

Along with improvements, Hanna and Pointer-Wilcox expressed their determination to defend the national title they earned in 2022.

“People know we hold a national title, so they’re coming out to get us. But we have to defend it,” Pointer-Wilcox said.

To accomplish these goals and to grow as a team, they said it will take both teamwork and hard work from everyone.

“Making sure we’re all coming together collectively, all know what we want, know how we’re gonna get it and making sure everyone’s on the same page,” Hanna said.

Pointer-Wilcox said the Charmers make a point to serve the community. When she receives calls requesting Charmers for service, she does her “due diligence” to make sure some of the girls are there to help. She said they are there to help in any capacity needed.

Since it is their 60th year, the Charmers have many alumni activities planned throughout the year.

Alumni will have the opportunity to participate in the homecoming parade, an alumni tailgate and to dance pregame at the homecoming game. To participate, Charmer alumni can visit the Cherokee Charmer Alumni Facebook page and fill out the Google form.

Throughout the year, the Charmers’ social media sites will honor alumni who paved the way.

On Sept. 10, the Charmers will host their future Charmer clinic in coordination with the Going Gold for Childhood Cancer initiative. While the clinic is typically done in October with the annual Pink Out to raise awareness of breast cancer, Pointer-Wilcox said this year they are honoring former Charmer director and alumni Lindsey Markert and her late son, Jackson, who lost his battle with childhood cancer in April.

Originally published August 26, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/local/whs-charmers-have-big-goals-for-60th-line/article_22ec6d0e-25a2-11ed-bb04-a708ca991711.html