Wranglerette Director Alyssa Goza sat down with us to discuss what it takes to be a Wrangler, the real-world lessons she ties into her teaching, tips on preparing young ones to be Wranglers and what's coming up for their team. We love her heart and fully believe she is exactly where she belongs!
Wranglerette Director Alyssa Goza sat down with us to discuss what it takes to be a Wrangler, the real-world lessons she ties into her teaching, tips on preparing young ones to be Wranglers and what's coming up for their team. We love her heart and fully believe she is exactly where she belongs!
Speaker 1 Any friends. Speaker 2 Work has a great life. We want it so missed that when I die, reach out needy. Message me back. I just. I'm so excited. So you all graduated together? Speaker 1 Graduated together. And your husband? Speaker 2 Yeah. Same class. Yes. Speaker 1 And so. Speaker 3 Still really close with a lot of people in my class talking with Jordan about getting together. Speaker 2 For dinner, just. Speaker 3 Hanging out. But I. I know his wife not. I haven't met her yet, but she's a drill team girl, so I'm so excited. Can't wait for her to be a part of all the regular stuff. Now. Speaker 1 Wait. What do you mean? She's a drill team girl. Speaker 3 She was a drill team girl back in Lufkin. Speaker 1 Okay, Just so everybody knows, she didn't graduate from friends with high school. Speaker 3 She went to Lufkin High School. Okay? And I actually taught Lufkin High School in the summer, teaching them football routines. And I taught her little sister. Oh, and her little sister was a UT pom captain. And I have a t pom captain Kirby Jane Landry. She was one of my kids. So I've been in recent communication with Jennifer Jordan's wife sister. Speaker 3 So yeah, I. Speaker 2 Got a small I. Speaker 3 Know when I saw, you know, because we're friends on Facebook and so I saw and I was like, wait a minute, like, I know her. Speaker 2 Or know of her, Right? Speaker 3 But I'm just so happy for Jordan. I think he's going to be really good for Friendswood. Yeah, I remember him from high school, just being like a super cool guy. I just. I'm so excited. Speaker 1 I've heard he's super cool. I've heard he has a great smile. I've heard. Speaker 2 He's the fastest. Speaker 1 One of the fastest football players. Like people have ever seen. Okay, We're actually interviewing Jordan. We don't have a date, but. Okay, it's coming on the podcast. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 So you can all learn more about Jordan relatively soon. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 3 Oh nine Class of oh nine Reppin class. Speaker 2 That's right. Speaker 1 So let me just go ahead and give our welcome here. Welcome to season two. Episode 12 of Fiesta is the podcast where Kelsey Girls and Darwin that's me have the pleasure of interviewing interesting people and discuss anything and everything Fiesta. Today our special guest is Someone Who Fiesty goes way back with Alyssa Falcon Gosa, graduate who graduated in 2009 and she is now the director of the world famous Wrangler ATS. Speaker 1 Yes, some people call wranglers wranglers. We'll get to that later. This woman does not mess around. So I'm just going to start with a quick story and then we're going to let her talk because this is a podcast about her. But when we reached out to you, Alyssa, because we wanted to do a challenge accepted with the baseball team, you were super excited about it. Speaker 1 And then we showed up. Kelsey Nass showed up to record the challenge, accepted. Maybe you'll remember it. The baseball challenge accepted with the Wrangler at I'm telling you, Alyssa had like everybody in their place. Speaker 2 Oh, yeah, she was. Speaker 1 Wearing those pants that look like they're a director, pants with a big megaphone. Speaker 2 In the frame where. Speaker 1 She said action. Not really. And like that. I mean, this girl knew where everyone needed to be, how they needed to move, what they needed to do, like rehearsals beforehand. Speaker 3 Well, those boys were in my dance. Walden's class, so, like, they know my teaching style. Speaker 2 There you go. Speaker 3 Of course, Wranglers know how my how I teach. I don't. And then, Corey, we just we've got a great friendship and I love supporting baseball. They support us back. That process was so much fun, like all the visions, and I feel like I was even like giving y'all like, okay, I'd love to do this kind of show. Speaker 2 Like where were directing that was for video? Speaker 3 Yes, well, it was. I don't know. I don't feel like I normally do like the filming side of it or any of like the social media side. Ken was really the better one about social media. So that was just fun for me. Speaker 1 And we're going to get into that later because we love y'all. Social media. Thank you. Kendall does a great job. Speaker 2 Which, by the way, does She just she just had a baby. She Oh, my baby boy. Speaker 3 I know. I have a new nephew. Speaker 1 Oh, yeah. What's his name? Speaker 3 Levi. Lucas Kennedy. Speaker 2 Oh, my name. Nice. Levi, you guys? No. Speaker 3 And he looks just like Beau. And she married Austin. He's like 6263, six, four. He's a tall, big guy. So, like, we're not kidding when he's probably going to be, like, captain of the football team. Speaker 1 Okay, help me understand. You said he looks just like Beau, but her husband's name is Austin. Speaker 2 Yes, Beau is. Sorry and help with this. Beau is Kendall's other son. Oh, yeah. So just a joke. Sorry. Sorry. All right. I was like, we got breaking news. Speaker 1 On the buddy guy, you know? So, Alyssa, start off and just tell us a little bit about your family and then tell us what life is like for you as the director of the Wranglers. Regrets. Speaker 2 But I don't. Speaker 1 I don't think I can say wranglers. Speaker 2 And a mom. Yeah. Speaker 1 A wife just kind of give us some insight to life. Speaker 3 Well, yeah. Back to me and Garrett. We graduated together. We've been married for seven years. We've got two kids. Kinley She's four and Scott is two. Kim is a September baby, so she's got one more year until we start kinder, which I'm super excited about y'all. Life is so much fun. Four and two is like such a fun age. Speaker 2 The right age of God. Speaker 3 Is starting to, like, talk more like he's totally understanding. So and they play really well together. She's such a good big sister. Speaker 1 You know, other if there's an. Speaker 2 Older. Speaker 1 Sister, younger. Speaker 2 Brother, it goes, well. Speaker 3 There's a there's a, a nice dynamic there. Yes, I've seen it. I've seen it both ways with different families. But I really love that she I have an older sister, younger brother pairing. Yes. He just does everything we can. There's like competing now in solos, her doing the whole dancing. I'm kind of crazy to start her this early, but she has a ending pose. Speaker 3 Like a cute ending pose. But Scott will do it now. Oh, I'm so like, he's, like, trying to, like, dance with her. And I'm like, okay, where's where's the soccer ball? Speaker 2 Where's the baseball? Speaker 3 But he loves it. Like, he he looks up to her already and I'm just. I cannot wait for the future. Speaker 1 Yeah, my boys would have already been knocking one over and. Speaker 2 They build. Speaker 1 Up these blocks and one just walks over and kicks them all down, and it falls. Speaker 2 To the. Speaker 3 Ground too. Speaker 4 Yeah, we're just talking about. So I filmed this video over a month ago where I was going all over the district, and one of the places was the Outdoor Learning Center at Westwood, which I love. Yes. One of my favorite places in NYC. Yeah. Speaker 3 And so I found my sister actually, it was like around my sister's time in Westwood that she was a part of that project. Speaker 2 Oh, yeah, maybe so. Yeah. Well, so. Speaker 4 One day when I came, like, it's just so funny, the difference between boys and girls, because I was filming this group of girls and they were cooking way putting like leaves and mud and sticks and whatever. And they had this whole vision and I was a blueberry pie and whatever. And then I go over to these two boys and they just have a stick on the ground and they're hitting it with another stick. Speaker 2 I love it. And that was their. Yeah, that's the difference, right, between boys. You know, my house. You can tell. Yeah, you can tell. Speaker 3 But no wranglers were good were this their 50th anniversary. So this year has been super fun lately. We've been well, I've been really stressed with competition season and then we're preparing for Hawaii. We're going with the band next week. We leave on the 12th. Speaker 1 On Sunday. We're going to we're going to get there. Let's talk about that. Back up just a little bit. It's your 50th year. Speaker 3 50th year. Speaker 1 Tell us about the little ferry that you introduced at Stevenson. Speaker 3 Yes. So we have a fairy in the Friendswood Keep Friendswood, beautiful fairy tale. Her name is Joy for the Pride and joy. Speaker 2 Yes, I love it. Speaker 3 I'm so honored we have a bench that surrounds one of the oak trees and it will literally live there forever. And that that trail will be there and with littles, it's so much fun that the trail you just, you. Speaker 2 Know, you go. Speaker 3 Behind. She represents the joy of dance and just how that can be a part of your life. So she's got a really cool message. Hardly suggests anybody goes and checks out Joy. Speaker 1 Next time you're at Stevenson Park or wondering what you should do on a beautiful day, go out to Stevenson Park and find joy and take a picture with joy and tag to the Wrangler Lorenz and friends in D.C. so then we can share it so that we can find love in the sea. Speaker 4 And then we'll know who listens to this podcast. Speaker 2 That's exactly right. Everybody listening to this podcast. Oh, yeah, that's right. Speaker 1 So tell me, spring is a busy time. Yeah, you were just starting to get into that, so keep going with that. Tell me what's on your calendar of things coming up. Speaker 3 So typically we don't have like a whole other show that we're putting on, but we're going with the band to Hawaii. So we've got around a 45 minute show that we're putting together. So that's been added to the plate. But these girls can handle like literally everything. And they even with school work, like they're pros. I'm just I'm always so proud of them. Speaker 1 They're so responsible. Speaker 3 Oh, my gosh. And like, one thing that I tell them all the time. Wrangler, it hasn't changed. Back when I was a wrangler at like, we still do the same events. We still have the same like practice times at 657 in the morning, like nothing about Wrangler. It's a, you know, obviously like good changes but not like structural changes haven't happened. Speaker 2 But school has. Speaker 3 Like when we were in high school, dual credit was only first period, so no regrets could do it. And now, like these kids are taking AP classes like it's just. Speaker 2 It's a lot. Speaker 1 It's a lot. Speaker 3 And then we talk about it in the morning and they're just like, I'm so tired. I'm like, What time do you go to bed? And they're like, 2:00, You know, they're doing these college courses or just But the fact that they can still perform, you know, physically and mentally, like at that level is insane. They're just they're getting so prepared. Speaker 2 Alyssa, she is hear every single piece. Unknown On this second I put my hands on, got things. You know. Speaker 1 I would say, though, dancing is probably one of, if not the only outlet that they have and that dancing is the blessing for them and kind of keeping them sane. Speaker 2 Sure. Speaker 1 So that's that's awesome. I'm always amazed just at how great these kids are and how involved they are. They keep it all together. And most adults. Speaker 3 They Yeah, like we put them through like a lot of life lessons, some that I'm really proud of. And we always talk about it as people start to enter our program, like your child will be better off and they will be well prepared for the future. And I love getting the messages back of alumni and it's like, Oh my gosh, thank you for X, Y, and Z, because like I get it now and like, that is like such a teacher, like, feel good because you know that you did your job. Speaker 3 Even if they don't see it now, when they see it, you know that you, you made an impact. Speaker 1 So through a couple of those lessons. Yeah. So like what are some things that come to mind whenever you say we teach a lot of like life lessons. Speaker 3 Okay. When that comes to mind is we, we hold them accountable to do outside things. And those are for merits so they can get merits for attending sporting events to show support for other organizations, they can get it for family time. That kind of happened during COVID. And we we saw it is such a blessing and we added it to the to the lineup, like take some time and spend time with your family, go out to dinners and things with grandparents because that time is so precious when to reward them for adding in and making time for the outside stuff going, you know, community service and all those like traditional things they get married for, Speaker 3 but they have to turn it in at the end of the month. We keep them on a monthly schedule, for instance, because when you're an adult, you pay bills at the end of the month or you know, everything is per month. Yeah, I always try to have a bigger reason why we do things. And like I said at the time, they may not realize it and then later on they're like, okay. Speaker 2 Well thank you. Speaker 1 It's lessons. Every every parent listening knows this. It's lessons every kid needs parents or I feel like always in their kids face of you have to do this, you have to do this, you have to do these things. But to be reinforced by, you know, their extracurricular, to say, yeah, hey, these things are important to serve others. Yeah. Speaker 1 And not, you know, kind of get outside of yourself. I like to you brought up a service because there's a day of service coming up on April ten, 2020. Speaker 2 Nice transition plan. Speaker 1 So now with your group and putting you on the spot here. Speaker 2 Yeah, with your group, is. Speaker 1 It like kind of go and find your things to do in a community day? Joel Did you all do a service? Speaker 2 Okay, Last year we didn't. Okay. And I don't know. Speaker 3 Why, but then it was like all of a sudden we saw this day of service and I was like, What? So I don't have a plan currently, right? Speaker 2 But we all have a plan. We know, you know. Speaker 3 It will go together. We will be a force. Oh, cool. Yeah, we will do something that can impact our. Speaker 1 Community and maybe someone listening. If you have a business in the community or an idea for the ringler, it's yes, I want to obviously reach out to Alyssa Gosa or Dana Owen or Kelsey goals and just kind of share that idea and we can maybe even partner up with somebody in the community. That would be great. So let's keep talking about some responsibilities. Speaker 1 I don't remember where it was that I heard this, but don't you have your kids, like, dress up? It's important for your kids to dress a certain way whenever they. So tell me about that a little bit more. Speaker 3 So we just we had the S.A.T.. Oh, my gosh. Speaker 2 What, yesterday? Speaker 1 Oh, yeah. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 3 So they get they get merits for for dressing up on those, like, big testing days. If you look good, you feel good. And I think it, it sets their mind right from the beginning. So yeah that's funny that you heard that because that's a big thing for wranglers. We we dress up on Wednesdays, we have skirt day. Yeah. Speaker 3 I feel like the whole school knows what day it is by how the Wrangler stress on on Wednesday. Speaker 1 That's awesome. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 Is it Wrangler Wednesday they'll call it That. Speaker 3 Was their. Speaker 4 Description. Speaker 2 Of the movie. Oh my gosh. It is Wrangler Wednesday. Wait, I love that. Okay, that. That's awesome. Speaker 1 I do. I don't think we can let us go any further without talking about Hawaii because is a really big thing this year. Speaker 3 I know. I'm super excited. Speaker 1 Going with the band. Yes. So tell me, how many students. Speaker 3 Okay, 136 students. Speaker 1 Parents. Can you all imagine? I cannot imagine taking four kids, much less 136. Speaker 2 How many in your entire group. Speaker 1 Get ready. Speaker 2 Are. Speaker 3 Okay? Upwards to 300. I don't know the exact number because some of them are coming either just meeting us there and some are like flying with us. So I'll I'll circle back when I have that final number. Speaker 2 Well, enough said. Uber. 300 are. Speaker 1 Traveling to. Speaker 2 Hawaii. Yes. Speaker 1 Tell us what you're going to do when you're in Hawaii. Speaker 3 Oh, my gosh. Speaker 1 Oh, that look like for y'all. Is it the whole week. Speaker 3 We leave on Sunday the 12th, we get back on the 17th. We've got dinners planned. We've got a hike plan Diamond Head. We've got a lot of free time. But the reason that we're going is her performing at Pearl Harbor. So that was that show I was telling you all about. We are putting together a 45 minute show. Speaker 3 The band is going to play music. We're going to dance to it. They're going to play some tunes by themselves. We've got some some Texas inspired routines. Speaker 2 So yeah. Speaker 3 And it's so cool because I did this when I was a senior in high school. We went perform at Pearl Harbor, and it is something that I will never forget. I actually got to meet a survivor of Pearl Harbor. So that was incredible. And there's not that many left. Speaker 2 That's right. So I was just. Speaker 4 There in November, and I think there's only one. Oh, my gosh. Speaker 2 I think. Is the oil still seeping out? Speaker 1 That's still happening. Speaker 3 So I took I took a team back in 2017. We did the whole trip. It was amazing. And then me and Mr. Nelson and our our spouses and our travel agent went back in the summer and we got to tour it because Brett had never been. Speaker 1 And so he needed to prepare. Speaker 3 Yes. With coming so many people and just the logistics of like. Speaker 2 Yes. How to move. Speaker 3 About in such a small island. Yeah, it's going to be incredible. The kids are going to have the best time. And I mean, who doesn't want to spend their spring break in Hawaii? Speaker 2 Yeah, I know. We get asked to go. Speaker 4 Cover science fair and. Speaker 2 Is one of our science fair voices we're hearing all of a sudden. Hello? Yeah. Speaker 4 Because I love science fair. Speaker 1 So not that it's not right. Speaker 2 It's a great. Speaker 4 I'm you about me personally, right? Me as a. Speaker 2 Student. Speaker 1 Science is not. Speaker 4 You know, totally support our science students out there. No, I'm saying we go cover everything else. Why were we not asked. Speaker 2 To cover that? So sorry. Speaker 1 So I hear Mr. Fine and Mr. Roy are actually going to be sponsors. Speaker 2 Which is why they better pictures than either of those two men. I'm going to keep my mouth shut. And you see Mark's picture, by the way. Speaker 1 Of them making a difference Yesterday with Ashley NAYLOR and Alisha. He Ashley NAYLOR is turned to the side She has no idea this picture is coming in. It's like. Speaker 2 This Brando picture that he just puts out there, Rachel, you. Speaker 3 Literally know when he, like, starts to lift his phone up. Speaker 2 We, like, date. Oh, get ready. We get ready players. I mean, yes, Quick. Speaker 3 Snaps so fast. Speaker 2 Yeah, we got to be ready. It shows this. Speaker 3 But Melissa, Victor is also coming with us. Speaker 2 Oh, that's right. Yes, Victor, I know I am. Speaker 3 I'm just thrilled. Speaker 2 I'm so excited. You. Speaker 1 She is one of my favorite. Oh, she is in the hallway. Speaker 3 Best human being. Like our finance department. We have big. Speaker 2 Personalities. Speaker 3 I love our whole team, but she truly, like, keeps us together like it is. She is a saint and she. Speaker 1 Is a saint. Speaker 3 Don't deserve her. She's amazing. Speaker 1 We love you, Melissa. I think she was our second interview on the podcast. Speaker 2 Yes. So I found the pics. Oh, gosh, yes. It's worse than I thought. Exactly. A screenshot of his camera roll. So he has all this stuff in the back. Let me tell. Speaker 1 You something I have to say. Mark Griffin is such a funny like when I was an assistant principal with Mark, I literally was the one at the table laughing at all of his jokes that not everybody was laughing at. Speaker 2 I think he does. Speaker 1 That on purpose. Speaker 2 He's he's doing that on purpose. Speaker 1 Oh, yeah. She likes to be funny. Speaker 2 No, he is funny. He's imperious. He's hilarious. We love we love Mr. Griffin. No, he's the best. Speaker 1 So is there any way you're going to incorporate Mark Griffin inside Raw into your performance? Speaker 2 My gosh, I give him a baby name. Maybe not during Pearl. Speaker 3 Harbor, but when we go to the luau, which we have the whole place to ourselves. So I'm super excited about it, but I feel like there should be some kind of, like, a contest. Like, we absolutely have to get them up there. Speaker 4 Yeah. And you absolutely need to take a video and posted to social media and we can share to advice. Speaker 2 You absolutely send us that. I will send it to the viewers. What what's the. Yeah. To give the people what they want for what they. Speaker 1 Want what a great that so happy for you that you all get to speak. Speaker 2 You know like you send us an email carry with you and. Speaker 3 Us and band we just we've got such a great relationship, you know we practice so often. Yeah. During football season, but we're so supportive of each other just throughout the year. And with Brett and Julio and Macy and Cantone, we just, we have lunch every Friday, actually. Speaker 2 Oh, that's awesome. Speaker 3 It's such a awesome pairing. We we love the band. Speaker 2 Shout out today. Speaker 1 And not that there aren't a lot of beautiful band girls. That's not what I'm saying. But don't you know there are some guys in band that are like. Speaker 2 I get to go to full? Why do you guys get. Speaker 1 Your outfits ready? Because we know these girls are going to have their whole. Speaker 2 Dressed to the nines. Speaker 1 Tonight. Speaker 3 Guys shopping for weeks. Speaker 2 If you're. Speaker 1 Parent of a band guy, will you please give your son a little bit of help and make sure. Speaker 2 He has some clothes ready for this week? I just seen as a boy mom. Speaker 1 Not having nothing to do with that. Speaker 2 Let's get these parents to prepare. Yes. Speaker 1 And not let them pack themselves. Speaker 2 So, guys, I let Shawn pack himself. Yeah. And it again, it shows. Speaker 3 They forget like, essentials. Speaker 2 Like you socks or like shirts. Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Every time something's missing, every single time you search, you get more than six pairs of underwear. It would last you the whole 14 days. Now, moving on from Hawaii. Speaker 1 Yeah, in underwear. Speaker 2 Alissa, Alissa, tell us what you do. Speaker 1 Like, what do you do for fun? What's your day. Speaker 2 Like? Speaker 1 What are your loves in life? Speaker 3 Yes, I love my friends. Like we always plan dinners and stuff. Speaker 1 Always good. Speaker 3 Going to dinner tonight with some friends. But really, I love quilting. Speaker 2 Quilting? Yes. So you you have a group? Yes. Speaker 1 Okay. Now, is it? I don't remember it. It's the. Speaker 2 Same family. It's your family. Speaker 3 Ladies in my family. But my grandma, she's a big quilter. She makes she's the one that makes a lot of our costumes. She's been costuming the Wrangler hats for 20 plus years, but she loves to quilt, too, so I. Speaker 1 Hold on. Do we need to give her an award of some sort? Speaker 2 She's been. Speaker 1 She's making the costumes for the Wrangler. That's for 20 years. Well, I. Speaker 3 Graduated in oh nine. What is that, like, 13 years? Speaker 2 You see. Speaker 1 Kelsey, What is that? I don't know. Speaker 3 13, 14, 12? I don't know. I can only count two eight, five, six, seven, eight. Speaker 2 15, 18. Right. Speaker 1 Did Joe get that joke? I can really count. Yeah, that's funny. Listen, okay, we. Speaker 2 Oh, yeah, yeah. Do you have a do we have audio and Trump There we go. Yeah. Oh. Speaker 3 Yeah. Grandma is the best, but she's she taught me too. So I'm starting to dabble in the costuming making Kinley and all of her cute little dance friends. Some costumes, But one day I'll make some for the wrangler. Speaker 1 And you like costumes? Speaker 3 Oh, my gosh. Costumes. I always tell the girls the relationships I have with my students and just building that that trust in that bond with them. Even with the parents. That's my number one. That's my teacher. Why? Like my ultimate. Speaker 1 Twin, you do what you do. Speaker 3 My number two is literally costumes. Like, I love the design element. I love the bling. I love how it makes the girls feel. And when they when they look good, they feel good. They perform good, but they take such pride in it. There's no award for best costumes. But like, I feel like we get best costumes. Speaker 2 Do you watch Julien? Parents? Speaker 3 No, but there should be. Speaker 2 There should be awards for best costumes. Yeah. Speaker 3 I'll talk to the people upstairs. We'll see. Speaker 2 No, As. Speaker 4 You watch Emily in Paris. Yes. Okay. I'm like, You would love it if you didn't, because the fashion does fashion alone. Yeah. Speaker 3 No, I love. Oh, my gosh. Costumes. I could talk about it for days. Speaker 1 Okay, so you love quilting. I love the costumes. What's something else? That's a hobby that you love. Just. I know you. You're a young mother, so a lot of your time goes to that. And being a wrangler at Hobby. Speaker 2 I don't know. Speaker 3 It's honestly like making new friendships. Like I always tell myself I know the least amount of people right now, so makes sense. Like, oh yeah, when my kids are involved in things like, I'm so excited. I've met some of my best friends now shout out to my dance mom friends like going to my kids. Speaker 2 Events now. Speaker 3 Has been like such a something I look forward to. Like she's got dance tonight so I, I look forward to, to being a part of my kids activities. Speaker 1 That's kind of a season of life, though. You know, you're so invested in your family that there are only there's so many times in your life where you can just do a lot with friends. Yeah. Even though it's important. Yeah. I love that you're going out tonight with some girlfriends because investing in your friends continue that. Because that is still always important. Speaker 1 Yeah. Speaker 3 You got to make time. Speaker 1 You have to make time for things that are important for sure. Absolutely. So I know you used to do all the choreography for musicals. Speaker 2 Do you still do that? Speaker 3 I don't. That has been passed on to Kendall. Kendall is a a musical alumni. That is one of my biggest regrets in high school. Not doing me school. My mom did me school. Speaker 1 Did you did your mother ask you to do anything musical? Speaker 2 I don't remember. Speaker 3 You don't? But I feel like we were always so busy with Wrangler at Sue's, so I don't know if it was a time commitment because. Speaker 1 Oh, my gosh, it's a. Speaker 2 Lot of time. It's a lot. Speaker 3 A lot of my wranglers do it. And that makes me so proud because they get so much out of it and you know, they're involved in other fine arts, too. Speaker 1 So I kind of assumed ringlets would have to be involved in the musical. So Wrangler, let's just make the choice on my choice. They want to do that because with the musical happen, if the Wrangler acts weren't involved, there's so much dancing that goes on with that. Right? There just is such. Speaker 2 A high participation. Yeah, we've got a. Speaker 3 Lot of those musical kids, like in our dance classes too, and I feel like that's been a kind of a number builder over the years. We're always like, you know, come dance, because a lot of the times, yeah, they're in theater or they're in choir. So when we get the dancers, it takes a minute to like, you know, right foot, left foot. Speaker 3 Oh, right, yeah. Speaker 1 Oh, yeah. Because in my mind they were all, they're all wrangler. Speaker 2 So they are, you know, but it's. Speaker 3 It's a small portion I would say. I think we had oh gosh, I don't know, leaving anybody out like five, six, seven ish wranglers that did the musical this year. Speaker 1 I thought it was much higher than that. Speaker 2 I know it's a smaller group. Speaker 1 Do you enjoy choreography? Like is that something that you really like? Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 3 It can become overwhelming. Like I'm in the season of of not having a brain because I have to I have to make up so many dances for Spring show, but it all comes together. I do enjoy it when I've got the time to do it. It's awesome. But when I feel that pressure sometimes, oh my gosh, yeah. Speaker 1 You're the J.Lo of friends in high school. Speaker 2 Oh, God. Oh, wow. Oh, no. I know. I use her skin care. Do you really do? I've often wondered if people like her skin. Gorgeous skin. I know, because I like her uniform. You had this. Speaker 1 Skin before you had this product. There's no way. This product. Speaker 3 I do like her skin care. Speaker 2 Good to know. Yeah, that's. Speaker 1 Good to know. Speaker 2 Hey, we do have our first paid advertising, so. Speaker 1 Scenario. I'm going to go scenario your way. So there are moms out there right now who have a daughters in dance right. And I would think part of what they want to do is grow up and be a wrangler. Yeah. So what would be some advice to moms that you can give moms about just preparing their daughters, not just for being a wrangler. Speaker 1 Yeah, but for loving to dance and but then hoping to become sure. Speaker 3 I would just suggest to be taking class. Lots of great studios in the community. There's a lot of dance drop prep classes that studios offer, and we just had one about a week ago. We've got another one coming up to be kicking, but a lot of our wranglers love to work with. Speaker 2 People. Speaker 3 And do private. So if you're interested in. Speaker 1 Oh, there you go. Speaker 3 Yeah, if you're interested, yeah, in a one on one. Our wrangler. I love that. And what a great job opportunity for them to be doing what they love to. Speaker 1 Authentic learning right there. Speaker 2 Let's sign up. Dana Yeah. Speaker 1 Tell me who I email right now. Alison It's so a gosa. Speaker 3 No, it's a cone. I know. Speaker 1 It's still a. Speaker 2 Typo. Speaker 1 And feisty K12 dot net. Speaker 2 Yes. Okay, I need to. Speaker 3 Get my email changed. I've been married for seven years, so if you. Speaker 2 Remember this time I. Speaker 1 Texted. I thought it was you. You remember me telling you this? I texted you. I thought, but it actually your name. But I had the number of Tony Hopkins. Speaker 2 Stop it. Do you want me to do. Yes, yes, yes. Speaker 1 And it went to Tony Hopkins. Tony Hopkins. And he goes, This isn't Elizabeth, this Tony Hopkins. Speaker 2 I'm so funny in. Speaker 1 My profile of a person, it's Lissa goes up with Tony Hopkins phone number. Speaker 2 If I'm not something I mean, I can see how you could confuse the two. Speaker 1 Yeah, I think the text was, Hey, can y'all come and dance on it? I don't know. He's like, you know, this is Tony Hopkins way. Speaker 2 It's so funny. I was like, different show. We'll get you on a Yeah. Speaker 1 Flip side there, Tony. But no. Speaker 2 I did not mean to call you to dance with you. It's so funny. Speaker 1 Yeah, I know. I have no idea what happened. So tell me what's happening in the spring with the rink. Let's. I know tryouts happens. Speaker 3 Yes. Okay. It is April 4th, fifth and six. Okay. The newly selected drill trainers will be a part of our spring show. And then spring show. It's going to be a huge event. Our 50th anniversary. Like we mentioned, there's going to be alumni portion going back all of our old ring. Lauren Oh, awesome. Come join us. We'll have a luncheon reception Saturday, April 29th, and then they'll get to perform in the show. Speaker 3 So if you want to come watch me dance. Speaker 2 Oh, you'll be action is. Speaker 3 I know. I need to do some stretching. Oh, my gosh. Speaker 2 I can teach it all day long. Speaker 1 I that feeling. Speaker 2 You'll be fine. Can you imagine some. Speaker 1 Alumni out there going, Oh, this is worried about dancing. Speaker 2 But it's monitoring the let's. Yeah. Speaker 1 Like, tell me about you have different classes of like you have a class where boys actually learn how to dance and stuff like that and they're learning. Didn't you say they're learning the salsa? Speaker 2 Yeah, right. Speaker 3 Now all genres of, of dance. Speaker 2 We just for social media. Speaker 3 Shout out to all my dance wellness kids they they have recently become my why like over the years this is year five that I've done dance wellness and a little back story. So in high school I wanted to become the regular art director. Like that was my dream. That was my only dream. And like, I'm so thankful that it worked out even as early as it did. Speaker 1 I was on the interview committee, by the way, I don't. Speaker 2 Know if you remember that. Oh, I hired Julissa. Oh, you. You have heard a thing for your. I basically made your dreams come true. We love you whenever you early on. You do the same for me. I know that making such a difference in the world. You really are. Speaker 3 You really are. But, you know, I went in and I'm a drill team girl, so I was like, so excited about the job team. And, you know, with the job comes the dance classes. So that was a that was a different, you know, a different avenue that I didn't really think about, you know, teaching like beginners and oh my gosh, I love my dance kids. Speaker 3 They, they find success in ways that like wranglers don't because ring the ring wrestlers. They're so talented. So I can just tell them what to do. Yeah. But when I show my dance kiddos and and we're walking it through in just the light bulb that goes off and they're like, get it? Because it's not just like your brain, like it is your body moving, right? Speaker 3 It is so much fun and like, my dance one as kids, you know, we're doing tricks they, they get so excited for for fall demo and spring show and they're like, wait a minute, we're performing. And then the second they do, they're like, When's the next one? You know, they get hyped up to just like they do for their sports is the energy of my day is so much fun. Speaker 3 I'm constantly sweating and and not sweating. And we're moving around all day long. It's just it's a blast. Speaker 1 So you seem to be be a extremely happy person. I consider us to be all happy people. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 What annoys you? Speaker 2 Like what really bugs you is you. Speaker 1 Anything that comes to mind really just gets under your skin and it just frustrates you. Speaker 3 I don't like in the Wrangler aspect or. Speaker 1 Like coaching. Speaker 2 To. Speaker 3 The days of like when we're tired and there's no like real pump in the girls know that I'm not calling them out but like I need I need their energy too. And I try to I try to feed off of my 40 girls, you know, one to 1 to 40. Speaker 1 Do they get into fights Like, does that suck the life out of you? Ever like. Speaker 3 High school? Really do have a I just hit the table again to. Speaker 2 Really have a. Speaker 3 Family atmosphere. Speaker 2 You do. Speaker 3 And you would think like, yeah, 40 high school girls which been there done that they are also supportive and they're also different but they find the the commonalities. Speaker 1 So it's family. Speaker 3 We really. Speaker 1 Are in the band is to like that's one of the other teams that I'm like I. Speaker 2 Love. Speaker 1 That the family atmosphere that goes on with your group. Yeah, one of the things that I love that I have to mention and talk about, one of the first times that I came in to your room to watch you do your thing, you gave your wrangler at some instructions on what you needed them to do, and they all responded in unison with a thank you. Speaker 1 And I wish there could have been a. Speaker 2 Camera on my face because I really thought I was being punked in that moment. Speaker 1 But that's one of the things that you teach your girls. Yeah. When you all give instructions or direction, they always respond with. Speaker 2 Thank you. Yeah, it's it's. Speaker 1 One of the most beautiful things you can hear. Oh, yeah, It's awesome. Speaker 3 Yeah, it's it's a it's a learning tool and a listening tour. So when I'm when I'm talking to them and they say thank you, whether it's a correction, you know, a thank you for seeing that in me and wanting to improve me or just a thank you that I heard you were taking it from the top. Thank you. Speaker 2 Yes, I am going home. Speaker 1 Night trip. My husband has to respond to me if you reaction. I love the way that you said that. You said that you're that they see it as thank you because you're wanting me to be, you know, a better me. Yeah. Excuse me, but that is perfect. Speaker 2 That's what I need to tell. Yeah. I'm not sure I know you guys to help you. Speaker 1 Thank you so much on your own. Speaker 2 It's awesome. I love. Speaker 1 That. I just love all the different lessons. Just love life in general that you teach the Wrangler. It's it really is phenomenal. And I even would suggest to you, by the way, that you hold somewhat of a clinic for all coaches and sponsors. And I'm not kidding right now. I'm not kidding. This could go across all groups, all teams, all everything. Speaker 1 I love. Speaker 2 It. I love it. Speaker 1 On maybe when all the coaches get together at the beginning of the year. Speaker 3 Maybe I can talk to our our new athletic director. Speaker 2 Yes. Speaker 3 I've been wanting to put on like a yoga class for the coaches, too. Speaker 2 There you go. Speaker 3 I know. I like that. I've been thinking about it, but when can I edit in my schedule? Speaker 2 I don't. Speaker 1 Know exactly. Like you have a lot of free time. I'm sure your husband's loving. You say you're going to add one more thing to your schedule. So we've talked. Speaker 2 About. Speaker 1 What would you say this is the best part of your job and you talked about getting energy from kids. There's nothing better than the energy of high school kids. Speaker 3 Well, and it just friends at high schools hum like it's I am who I am because of ringler. It's the life lessons that I learned. I feel like I really am like better from it. Even the tough ones, like I didn't make or Marshall, I didn't even make sure if I was third in rank. So just even some failures. Speaker 3 But learning how to how to cope and you know, sometimes you may not get a job or you may not get, you know, an A on a test or whatever. It's it's learning from it. Speaker 1 It's an opportunity to grow. Speaker 3 Yeah, absolutely. Speaker 1 It really is. And if we can start kind of training our mind to see failures as opportunity growth, we truly can transform the way we kind of see life. Speaker 3 I love the quote someone else's success. It's not your failure. Speaker 2 Mhm. Yes. Speaker 3 Yeah. We tell that to the girls all the time when we get into like tryouts or something, even for officer tryouts when they hold a ranking then that everyone has an influence on the team. Even if you don't hold a title it's all hands on deck. Speaker 2 Yep. I love that. Speaker 1 So let's see, we've already mentioned Day of service, which we're going to. Can't wait to hear what you end up doing with the day of service on April 10th. Speaker 2 And the idea is. Speaker 3 Shoot in my way. Speaker 2 What would you. Speaker 1 Say is one rule that you have with your kids that has come from working in education, your personal. Speaker 2 Commitment. Speaker 3 To kids. Speaker 1 That comes from working in education? Would you say. Speaker 3 Oh, well, I got to say I'm glad that I was a teacher before I was a parent. And so I think when I parent, I come from more than like classroom management. Speaker 2 Right, right, right. Speaker 3 I don't know. Speaker 1 Just think about those words, though. Classroom management words like consistency and structure. Yeah, that's all important, right? Speaker 3 Know. Yeah. Like we have our routines at home. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 3 Things have a special place that they go in. Yeah, but just listening. I feel like that's a huge thing, and I feel like my kids are pretty good. They've got great manners. So we were super big on talking to adults. Speaker 1 Very important. Yeah. Speaker 2 So you see that all the time, being able to. Speaker 3 To initiate some conversations. And my kids get so mad at me when people don't like wave or like say hi back. They're like, they're such social butterflies. Like, it's funny to me. Speaker 1 But is that not strange that that a grown adult cannot say hello back? Speaker 2 Yeah. Have you ever know? Hi. And then high self and then. Yeah. Speaker 1 There's a cute video that I saw recently. Speaker 2 Of a little. Speaker 1 Toddler walking down the middle of an airplane to Ireland and it's stopped and said hi to. Speaker 2 Every. Speaker 3 Person they pass. You know, that would be my kids. Oh, my. Speaker 2 Gosh. Sweetest thing in the world. Speaker 1 I mean, some adults won't even make eye contact with the child. And I'm like, What is wrong with you? Speaker 2 Yeah, come on. Speaker 4 People are going to act in general. It will amaze me. I go walking like every day after work. It amazes me. I wave or say hi to Sure. So many people will not look up. Speaker 2 Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 4 The entire time. Speaker 2 They're all going to. Oh my gosh. Why is it so uncomfortable? Speaker 4 Yeah, so weird. Speaker 2 You know, especially with a kid. Yeah, right back to that, actually. That's right. That's right. Speaker 3 So they they get to the point where they have to like my kids are. Yeah. For some. Yeah. They're not, they're not even into. Speaker 2 No. Speaker 1 But that's, that's, that's what we have to do as parents. We teach our kids how to be good, strong citizens and that's one of the first steps asthma's kicking in because I've been laughing too much about my breathing in the microphone. Speaker 3 And I know I feel like me too. Kinley is on a she's got asthma too. Today was really. Speaker 2 Bad. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yep. Horrible. And on the. Speaker 3 Laser, on the inhaler. Yeah. It's super fun. Speaker 2 Do you have a clinic. Speaker 1 Coming up that you need to plug? That you need to talk about? Speaker 3 April 22nd. It's the Saturday before our spring show. And then those kids get to perform in the spring show. Great. Speaker 1 So the clinic and then the spring show is something that you really want people to come to. Speaker 3 Yeah. And we we've added more spots back by popular demand, the pre-K, which I started so that Kinley could do it. Speaker 2 Great. Speaker 3 But now a couple more spots because. It was really successful and I have three ready, set, teach Wrangler sets that are involved in there in the pre-K teachers. Speaker 2 So let's I love it all about it. Speaker 3 And they are so great and the girls are so good with that age in general because they're around Kinley so much. But the Littles like the four year olds, five year olds and even just the clinic, all of the community, the younger girls in our community, they look up to the girls and then the girls love, you know, it's just, it's a really cool learning lesson. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 And that is I heard you say before, that's one of those how how did what did how did you phrase it about? You're always plugging. I mean, you're training these girls to as they grow up and get older to obviously be regret. So you're never. Speaker 2 Going. Speaker 3 Long term recruiting? Speaker 1 Yes, long term recruiting. Speaker 3 I love that about our district in our community is that we're one high school district. The end goal, I would assume, you know, for me it was Wrangler. It's like we were, you know, taking class, you know, going through the years of of learning how to dance. But the end goal was was wrangler it's and where are some some other school districts you know you could be a part of five different six different seven different drill teams. Speaker 3 But I love our community they're so supportive and the dance world is small. And yeah, we we look forward to those next generations of Wrangler. Speaker 1 It's yeah, it's fun to watch. Speaker 4 How do they sign up to be a part of the clinic. Speaker 3 On our website friends and wrangler at Starcom and yeah they get a T-shirt It's a super fun day. Get to hang out, have lunch, perform at the end of of clinic a long term or scuse me, long time a tradition like I did it whenever I was itty bitty. Speaker 2 That's awesome. Yeah, that's wonderful. Speaker 3 You know, the pictures of, like, current wranglers when they were in clinic, like I die for because they're just. They were the little girls. It's so fun. Speaker 1 Yeah, that is fun. Yeah. So sweet. Yeah. Okay, so we're going to wrap up today with just some random questions. Okay. So what is what is your guilty pleasure. Speaker 3 Being in my craft room, like quilting and like crafting? Speaker 1 Do you know, I've seen where some people hang their quilt up on the wall so you can actually see, Oh, yeah. Or do you hang the pattern on the walls. Speaker 2 Yeah. That to kind of have a Yeah. Speaker 3 A bigger eye on it. Speaker 2 Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 3 But I, I've got a couple of sewing machines like I said, I love like I'm starting into the costume making so anything that I can do to like. Speaker 2 You have a couple. Speaker 1 Of sewing machines. Speaker 2 Do. Speaker 1 Sewing machines or expensive like some can be like ten, $15,000. Oh, my. Speaker 3 Gosh. Mine are not that expensive. Speaker 2 Okay, they're. Speaker 3 Hand-me-downs. But I. Speaker 2 Yeah, Yeah. Oh, that's nice. Speaker 3 So different things too. Speaker 2 So. Yeah, yeah. Speaker 3 Cool sewing. Yeah. Loves. Loved to sew. Speaker 1 So what would your younger self think of you today? Now, you've said already before your end goal was to your dream was to. Speaker 3 No, I just. I think she would be so proud and so proud. Like I said, you know, there's a couple more things throughout my life that didn't go my way and like, look at me now. I don't know. I just I tell that to my girls, like, I didn't get X, Y and Z. I wasn't the top at X, Y, and Z, but I am here, am a mother, I am a wife, You know, I am I'm in the job that I wanted to be in and like, you know, in that moment, yes, it sucks, but how you learn and grow from it, I don't know. Speaker 3 Kind of determines. I think. Speaker 2 Yeah, you. Speaker 4 Can handle it that you don't let that deter you from continuing to pursue that passion or that dream. Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, you are definitely in the place that God wants. Speaker 3 You know, you, I, I, like I said, I feel at home. This is home. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Speaker 1 Yeah, well, you exude that happiness and you can tell that you love life and that things are are really good. And I love your outlook on everything. Speaker 2 Thank you. Speaker 1 So if you could only give one piece of advice the rest of your life, which would be impossible for some people. Speaker 2 But one piece of advice. There are some people for you. Yeah, that's impossible. What would it be? Speaker 3 I said be kind. I think you know, when at the end of the day, if you can, you know, you may remember, you know, what they said or what they looked like or whatever. But you always remember how people made you feel to be kind. Speaker 1 Yeah, it sounds simple, but it's so important. Yeah. And it could change someone's life. Speaker 3 It's eye contact or just like, you know, acknowledging or smile. Speaker 2 Yes or yes. Yep. Speaker 1 What's your favorite food? Speaker 3 Oh, Got anything Italian but linguine and clams? Speaker 2 Oh, yeah. Speaker 1 Is there a place where you love to go to your dad's house? Speaker 2 Your dad's. Speaker 3 Have. I grew up on pasta. We had paso, like, every single night. I make homemade pasta. I make the sauces like I'd love to cook. That would be another guilty pleasure. I love to cook. Speaker 2 We we, we also. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 And love food. And you love good food. Speaker 2 Yeah. You might as well learn to cook. Yeah. You know. Speaker 3 Anything. Speaker 1 Italian? Anything Italian? Yeah. Okay, so we're going to be hungry. So we're going to end with this illness, which is how we end all of our podcasts. Finish the sentence for me. One thing I know for sure is. Speaker 3 God is good. Speaker 1 Amen. And and listen, let me tell you, the woman behind the Wrangler that, oh, we love you and we love everything about you. And I can speak for the district in saying that we're so proud of you and thank you for loving all the kids of Friendswood. Speaker 2 Esty And that. Speaker 3 Means a lot. And I truly feel supported by by y'all and our administration. I you know, this is year nine for me, and I feel like it. You know, you establish yourself over the years, but I'm just so thankful to be a part of this community and be a part of this district. Speaker 1 Awesome. We can't wait to see what you do in the years ahead. Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 Thanks for listening, everyone. Speaker 3 Thanks for having me.