TJC Apache Belles visit The Hamptons of Tyler, meet member of 1949 line

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A week after performing in Washington D.C. as a part of the Heroes Flight, the Apache Belles are traveling to perform a bit closer to home, at the Hamptons of Tyler.

“One of the things we are really involved in is community. We really love just being able to come here and be able to talk to them after, that’s what I really like. Just see how their day is going, and see how they enjoyed it or how they related to it,” said Head Dance Captain of the Belles, Malerie Clifton.

Many residents got to sit and watch the Belles perform, as they went through multiple different routines.

But one resident in particular has a different connection to the Belles, as she was on the team two years after it was created.

“Well, we did a lot of high kicks. The higher we could kick the better they liked it. We went to everything in Tyler that they had,” said Vida Wooten, a member of the 1949 Apache Belles.

Being able to talk with one of the Belles from 1949 was something that really made the event special to the current line.

“Sometimes when they tell you it’s been around forever, it’s like ok, they have been around forever. But when you see a person who has stories, like real life stories, it’s really amazing to see how long this organization has been around,” said Clifton.

Despite the Belles going through many changes in the 75 years since Wooten has been on the team, she still has a word of advice for the current and future generation of the Belles.

“I’d say I think you’re lucky to be doing this. I had a really good time. It seems almost impossible to think I was doing things like that, but it was fun,” said Wooten.

Wooten was a member of the third line for the Apache Belles.