Students cheering and ponytails flicking, the Belles begin their show stopping performance. Senior captain Addison Renfrow thrives in community she's led with her co-lieutenants and teammates. "We've been here for three years and it's crazy. I just want us to really stay focused, motivated and just have a good year.” Renfrow said. Photo by O.S. Keijsers Koning.
By O.S. Keijsers Koning.
The Belles are the smiling faces of halftime, bringing their dazzling and intricately choreographed performances to every football game.
The lieutenant team holds three senior lieutenants: Addison Renfrow, Sophie Bishop and Ellie Donahoe. The junior lieutenants are Alexandra Wright and Mary Matheson. Although members of the Belles hold individual leadership positions, each lieutenant collaborates in the decision making.
“We're all even, so there's no sort of captain or head lieutenant,” Renfrow said. “Having juniors and seniors [gives us] different viewpoints from the team, so we all talk and come to compromises. [This way] we can accommodate the team as best as possible.”
The lack of strict hierarchy also allows the Belles to form stronger friendships and get to know each other personally throughout their time on the team.
“I can confidently say that I know something unique about every Belle,” Renfrow said. “I have a relationship with every one of them, which I think is part of what helps us manage such a big group because it doesn't feel so big when you know everyone.”
These strong personal connections add to the sisterhood the Belles community builds. Renfrow still remembers the initial feelings of pride and happiness she was able to share with her teammates during their first performance.
“We all ran onto the field and realized we were Belles, and that was something we've all worked for since we were in elementary school,” Renfrow said. “It was such an exciting moment, the initial ‘we made it’.”
Renfrow believes her responsibility as a lieutenant is to improve the team as a whole so that each member can shine.
“[Being a lieutenant is about] the love of the team, wanting the team to benefit and doing it for the team instead of personal glorification,” Renfrow said. “I want to give back and make the team good.”
The directors are Ms. Shannon Phillips, Ms. Emily Sanchez and Ms. Berkeley Slover. With the assistance from them, lieutenants create and rehearse choreographs as well as maintain order within the Belles. Each member in the Belle community ensures this year to maintain their perfect performances.
“At Highland Park it's such an honor to be a Belle, when you've worked so hard for something and you get out to dance and you get off the field and all your friends are like, WOW."
“This year we've had an incredibly motivated and focused team,” Renfrow said, “[It’s] hard to control [the group], but when there's 80 people and they're focused and motivated, it moves super well.”
Belles maintain their determination with each performance. With the support from Highland Park, Belles is seen as one of the faces of the school.
“At Highland Park it's such an honor to be a Belle, when you've worked so hard for something and you get out to dance and you get off the field and all your friends are like, ‘wow,’” Renfrow said. “It helps bring more value to what we're doing because we know that the community and the students care.”
Renfrow regards her time with the Belles with fondness. As a senior, she is becoming increasingly aware that her time as a Belle is coming to an end.
“I love all the lasts. They make me sad, but I love it because it's just such a big moment with the team,” Renfrow said. “We've been here for three years and it's crazy. I just want us to really stay focused, motivated and just have a good year.”