After a busy week of practicing solos and learning choreography, Honey Bear tryouts will be held tonight and next year’s squad will be determined.

According to Drill Team Captain Brooke Tant, the tryouts are judged by former drill team members from around the state and even students from McNeese can volunteer to judge, but Honey Bear Drill Team Director Kimberly Scott makes the final call.

“The Honey Bears will vote on officers to help Mrs. Scott see who they feel is best, but again, she makes the final decision,” Tant said.

In addition to the jazz and kick routine required for the regular tryouts, students trying out for an officer position must write an essay for Scott and choreograph and perform a solo. The solo is taught to the class in two weeks prior to tryouts. The solo performance and teaching that solo to the team is a scored portion of the tryout.

“I am looking for officers that put the team’s needs before their own, treats me and the other girls with respect, and is ready to lead the team through football season and our first year at competition,” Scott said.

According to Tant, her tryout was extremely difficult considering that she had not expected the amount of practice it truly took. She also realized how quickly the dance routines had to be learned. If Tant could give one piece of advice to the girls trying out, it would be to just relax.

“They focus on your showmanship and confidence,” Tant said. “Even if you mess up, just keep smiling! You’ll catch back up and that’s truly what sets you apart from the rest.”

Freshman Daisy Sutton is trying out for the Honey Bears this year and one of the reasons she believes it’s so nerve-racking is because for things like Drill Team, things can change; such as your confidence and how you can move. With only three days to learn the routine, it is difficult for her to understand the many different variations of moves. But through all of the possible difficulties, Sutton continues to remain confident and is ready to make her dream come true.

“As a kid growing up, I watched the Drill Team dance and make the crowd cheer,” Sutton said. “I realized that dancing and making the crowd proud was my dream.”

Sutton’s mother has watched her dance around the living room for years and eventually encouraged her to tryout for the Honey Bears.

“She pushed me to make my dream come true,” Sutton said. “So the one thing that made me want to become a Honey Bear would be the feeling that you get when an entire crowd is proud and cheering for you.”

Following tryouts, the rosters are to posted online.

“I am a former Honey Bear Captain, so getting to be on this side of things is a dream come true for me,” Scott said. “I’m excited to see the team grow.”