I can’t tell if Ruthie Rutledge was pulling my leg or not. When I asked what she’s looking forward to, being a part of Baylor’s Songleaders Dance Team next year, she answered “working out with a trainer at 6:30 a.m., twice a week – no Freshman 15 for me!”
Of course, after all her years as a Lake Highlands Highlandette, she’s used to early morning practice.
Rachel Levetzow, Director of Spirit and Athletic Tradition at Baylor, said choosing Ruthie for the team was easy.
“We loved the fact that when she came in to auditions to perform the Baylor Fight Song, her energy and smile truly just lit up the room,” said Levetzow. “She was so much fun to watch, you could tell she really worked hard at perfecting the routine and took the time to learn the words, and really looked like she was ready to put on a uniform and take the field today!
“For the audition routine, which is a 60-second jazz routine packed full of technique and style, you could tell that she had a great background in dance and gives everything she’s got to make every performance her best.”
“The best part will definitely be all the new friends that I make,” she added. “Performing at Cowboys Stadium and other home and away games, marching in Baylor’s homecoming parade, and performing at basketball games – I feel so fortunate to get to continue my passion for dancing in college.”
The Songleaders, founded in 1975 and formerly known as the Honey Bears, perform jazz, pom and hip hop routines at athletic and community events.
“For the 2013-14 squad, I think the most exciting thing I’m looking forward to is watching this great group of 16 dancers cheer and dance the last 7 home games at Floyd Casey Stadium,” said Levetzow, referring to plans for the big new stadium, debuting in 2014. “There have been hundreds of spirit squad members that have danced and cheered at Floyd Casey, and this particular group will be the last dance team to perform on this field.”
“I am so excited to get the opportunity to be a part of such an awesome organization and to represent Baylor spirit at the games,” Ruthie told me. “The hardest part will be remembering to study,” joked the honor graduate. “Just kidding, Mom and Dad.”
Ruthie, a speech pathology major, is heading for a career working with children with special needs. She’s spent years volunteering, and she delights to see them overcome their struggles. “When I dance,” she says, “I always give it my all, because I am dancing for those who physically cannot dance.”
Ruthie says she’s already scoured the Bears’ football schedule online, looking for opportunities to go calling on her former Wildcat buddies. “The first weekend that Baylor does not have a game, I am going to visit my friends at UT and Texas A&M.”
