Whether it’s a Friday night halftime show or a parade, the Star Spangled Girls are an integral detail of the Homewood experience.

Since its inception in 1972, the Star Spangled Girls have been one of Homewood’s main dance teams, founded under the direction of Cindy Wade. Since Wade’s departure, the only other director has been Jennifer Ayers taking over in 1997.

“I think [Wade] always enjoyed dance,” Ayers said. “Previously [she] worked at Shades Valley High School  and wanted to create something, a production on stage.”

Ayers, an HHS alum, grew up with Homewood’s unique culture and dance styles.   

“I was a star spangled girl. It was something that I’d always wanted to do,” Ayers said.

Ayers studied choral music in college and danced with the Auburn Singers. She was well versed in music and dance by the time she took over the Star Spangled Girls.

“When I graduated, [Wade] decided that she was going to retire and she called me up and asked me if I was interested in taking her job,” Ayers said.

53 years later, the Star Spangled Girls have performed in countless parades and other high honor events including: The Rose Bowl Parade, Macy’s Day Parade, Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Lord Mayor of Westminster’s New Year’s Day Parade and even in the Dallas Cowboys stadium and at the World Trade Center. 

“We’ve been all over the place, thousands of parades,” said Ayers.

Having had only two instructors in the history of the Spangles sets them apart from other dance groups  

“We are really able to keep tradition with what the dance line means, and  I think that was Wade’s goal when she hired me knowing that I had been a Star Spangled Girl myself,” said Ayers. “I would hold the tradition very highly and I would want to maintain that.”

The long standing Spangles traditions are a factor in the dances they perform, props they use and the uniforms they wear.

“The halftime show is a very classic show,” Ayers said.  “We always have a feature and we always have a kick line.”

The Spangles are a critical part of Homewood’s performing arts program and the community explained Spangles captain, Mary Lois Foley.  

“Spangles are such a strong image in the community,” said Foley “When you think of Homewood and you think of the band, you think of the Red Sequin uniform.” 

Some of the traditions even influenced how the Spangles practice.

“Over the summer we go to American All-Stars Camp in Mississippi, and we learn a bunch of dances,” Foley said. “Those are the dances that we bring home and perform at pep rallies and basketball games and community appearances.”

Every year at Homewood High’s annual Holiday Spectacular the Star Spangled Girls perform The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and Sleigh Ride which were choreographed over 30 years ago by the first instructor Cindy Wade.

“I think that they are what make us famous in the Homewood community, and I think people love to see them,” said Ayers

Ultimately, it is the people who are involved in the Star Spangled Girls who give it its character.

“I wouldn’t say that we are  the best dance team around, but I think that we have something unique,” said Ayers. “I think we have very hardworking  and well-respected young ladies that are on the dance team.” 

Three years ago, HHS added the Starlet dance group as a way to bridge the gap between dancing in middle school and high school. Since the Spangles take only sophomores at the youngest level, girls who had been in the middle school dance team would have to take a one year hiatus before joining the Spangles line.

“It’s definitely improved the dancers as a whole,” said Ayers. “Having another team to help them grow in skill and just being able to perform, just confidence and leadership. So it has definitely improved.”  

Within the Spangles line, there exists a clear leadership structure. A single captain leads the girls with the help of lieutenants underneath; each position is voted by the students themselves. 

“I think it’s very important for them to have a say because that captain or lieutenant is going to be the one who tells them what to do if I am doing something else or I am not directly with them,” said Ayers.

Before the girls vote on who will be the next Spangles Captain, the contestants have to teach a minute dance routine to the whole group.

“The tryout factors in her ability to teach girls a routine, but also  her character,” said Foley. “You want your captain to be someone that represents the team well.”

Not only are the Star Spangled Girls a unique dance group that holds significant value in the community, but it also shapes the lives of Homewood’s young women throughout the years.

“When you think of someone that’s a Spangle you always think, oh yes, that girl,” said Foley. “She’s positive, she’s respectful towards others, and I think that’s one of the important things that Spangle holds as a tradition is forming those kinds of girls.”