Once A Gander Always A Gander

: Robert E. Lee Cheerleaders established in 1928 a Texas Tradition. When the football season began in 1928, the girls under the leadership of Corrie Hester, and Myrtis Smith, decided to have the cheering and rooting for the team organized. Therefore, almost every girl in the high school enlisted herself with the organization and adopted the official uniform of red dresses and white coats. These uniforms were worn only on the days that games were played. New songs and cheers were learned and drills were practiced. While a game was being played, the squad, under the leadership of the yell and song leaders, Harry Bowen, Clinton Horton, Carmel McClendon, and Jewel Blackwell, showed by their zealous cheering that they were behind the team. Between the halves, the girls formed the drills they had learned, made snake dances, and grouped themselves in the center of the field for cheering. No doubt, much of the success of the football team was due to the pep and hearty backing of this group of girls. (Gander 1928)