perform at Disney World June 18

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Members of the Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang clogging team are the "darlings" of Troy.

The group is one of the most recognized clogging teams in the state. Everywhere they perform they bring positive recognition to Troy and its youth

and they perform at some very impressive places.

On June 18, the Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang cloggers will perform at

"Magic Music Days" on the Tomorrow Land Stage in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

For this great honor and opportunity, the city of Troy has proclaimed Monday, June 18, Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang Day in Troy.

"This group of young cloggers, under the direction of Joyce Sorrell and Tricia Ratcliffe,

is one of the most recognized clogging teams in our state," said Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford. "They have been selected as one of the Clogging Champions of America for the past two years. They also competed in the Blue Ridge All Star Clogging Classic in Rome, Ga. in February and won Grand Champion for four of their six routines."

Lunsford said the Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang invitation to perform at Disney World is a great honor and is testimony to their hard work and dedication to performance and competition.

"These young cloggers are outstanding ambassadors for Troy and I urge our citizens to show their enthusiasm and support for the team."

The Darlin’s were also recognized by the State of Alabama House of Representatives. Rep. Alan Boothe sponsored the resolution and commended Sorrell, Ratcliffe and the team for having reached new and unprecedented heights of success and achievement, "earning them the gratitude and tribute of countless fans in the State of Alabama."

The cloggers received certificates of recognition from Gov. Don Siegelman

commending them for their part in helping their championship team achieve its success.

"I applaud you for your talent and for the joy you have brought to others through your performances," the governor’s certificate stated.

The clogging team is in great demand locally and is fast becoming the entertainers of choice at statewide events.

The Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang team recently performed at the Birmingham Civic Center for the Southern District Convention for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Professionals from throughout the Southeast.

They perform at many local civic functions, including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, the Miss Teen Alabama Pageant, at nursing homes, bluegrass festivals, the Miss Troy Pageant, the Pike County Fair and many Troy State University functions.

The Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang directors have years of experience in the art of dance.

Sorrell is a professor in the department of kinesiology and health promotions at TSU and has been clogging for more than 20 years.

Ratcliffe is an instructor in the TSU English department. She is a certified clogging instructor who has nine years of teaching experience.

Members of the Dixie Darlin’s/SheBang team are: Mindy Carter, Stephanie Culpepper, Ethan Fortner, Tori Free, Kayli Hornsby, Alex Ingram, Paige Lester, Jessica Little,

Madison Mehaffey, Peyton Rose, Alex Sanders, Jamie Sanders, Katelyn Sanders, Lyndsay Sanders, Sam Sullivan, Rachel Tatom, Emily Thompson, Mary Vance Ventress and Suzanne Ventress.