Photo by Steve Hedrick
Lauren Turnbull and Catie Epple are stepping down as leaders of the award-winning Highlandette drill team, both departing for Austin at the end of this school year. Eppler’s husband has a received a job transfer and Turnbull has family and a boyfriend in Austin.
A reception will be held to honor the women Friday, May 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the LHHS library. It is open to the public, and former Highlandettes and their moms are particularly invited to attend.
Turnbull has served as Highlandette director since 2009, the year Shannon Harty left to lead the Richardson High Desperadoes. Before that, Turnbull was Harty’s assistant. (Harty is now drill team director at Highland Park High.)
“Ms. Turnbull definitely helped shape Highlandettes into what it is today with her creativity and passion for drill team,” said Meg Garcia, one of her graduating officers. Meg will dance as a Texas State University Strutter in the fall.
“I am sure that I speak for everyone who has had her as a director when I say that she has had such a great impact on each of us. She motivated me to do the best that I could and helped me grow so much. The saying ‘I do not try to dance better than anyone else, I just try to dance better than myself,’ describes her perfectly and is one of the most important things she has taught us as dancers. She has put her heart and soul into Highlandettes these past six years, and the community is truly thankful.”
“Ms. Turnbull is such a talented dancer and passionate director,” said Berkley Johnson, Turnbull’s graduating captain. “I feel so lucky to have had her as director during all of my years in Dettes. I admire her deeply as a dancer, teacher, leader and friend. She has taught me to never, ever settle for good when I can be great. She will be greatly missed in LH, but the mark that she has left on the Highlandettes and on each girl will stay with us always.”
