Belles, band hopeful for new facility after years of crowding
Audrinee' Anderson
Section: Student Life
Since 1988, the Ornelas Health and Physical Education Center has been a place the Apache Belles and the Apache Band have called home, but now a change is about to come.
In 2011, Tyler Junior College will break ground on a new building for the Apache Belles and Band.
Most people believe this project would be one of the best gifts that both organizations could receive.
"The new facility would be great because it would be useful to a lot of people, attract a lot of students who support the college and also it would bring a nicer look and feel," said Jasilyn Schaefer, assistant president of Apache Belle Gold.
Over the past couple of years, the two organizations have had changes that have made it difficult for some to function in a small area, such as a bigger staff, more secretaries, more band and belle members, and more prop equipment.
"There is no space to function anywhere, store costumes and uniforms, or adequate rehearsal rooms," said Schaefer.
Five years ago some school officials including Fred Carson, Bob Peters, Cheryl Rogers, and Band Director Thomas Mensch came up with the idea to construct a new building specifically for the Apache Belles and Band.
"The board of trustees came and toured and it was made apparent that the Belles and band needed a new building," Schaefer said.
Although some might think that this idea was easy to come by, the directors of both organizations and other school officials had to work to get this project off the ground.
"We had to have meetings, submit data visuals, and ideas about this project," said Ruth Flynn, director/choreographer of the Apache Belles.
Throughout planning for this project, a lot of people had to push to achieve the goal of getting new accommodations for the Apache Belles and Band.
"The new building will definitely expand opportunities of having every Apache Belle at practice at one time," said Kelcee Guyton, freshman Apache Belle. "Without a bigger practice area, we can't do our routine full out and it's hard to achieve our performance without enough space to practice."
In 2011, Tyler Junior College will break ground on a new building for the Apache Belles and Band.
Most people believe this project would be one of the best gifts that both organizations could receive.
"The new facility would be great because it would be useful to a lot of people, attract a lot of students who support the college and also it would bring a nicer look and feel," said Jasilyn Schaefer, assistant president of Apache Belle Gold.
Over the past couple of years, the two organizations have had changes that have made it difficult for some to function in a small area, such as a bigger staff, more secretaries, more band and belle members, and more prop equipment.
"There is no space to function anywhere, store costumes and uniforms, or adequate rehearsal rooms," said Schaefer.
Five years ago some school officials including Fred Carson, Bob Peters, Cheryl Rogers, and Band Director Thomas Mensch came up with the idea to construct a new building specifically for the Apache Belles and Band.
"The board of trustees came and toured and it was made apparent that the Belles and band needed a new building," Schaefer said.
Although some might think that this idea was easy to come by, the directors of both organizations and other school officials had to work to get this project off the ground.
"We had to have meetings, submit data visuals, and ideas about this project," said Ruth Flynn, director/choreographer of the Apache Belles.
Throughout planning for this project, a lot of people had to push to achieve the goal of getting new accommodations for the Apache Belles and Band.
"The new building will definitely expand opportunities of having every Apache Belle at practice at one time," said Kelcee Guyton, freshman Apache Belle. "Without a bigger practice area, we can't do our routine full out and it's hard to achieve our performance without enough space to practice."
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