Mrs. McMahon started twirling in the seventh grade. Melanie is very proud to say that her very first twirling teacher was Vicki Bowden Mobbs. Melanie has been a dancer all her life, but decided in middle school that she wanted to be an eighth grade twirler, so she began her life long journey in twirling. Mrs. Mobbs taught Melanie twirling in her garage or on the road, since they lived so close to each other. After learning so much from Vicki Mobbs, Melanie began taking twirling from Cindy Gaut Tierney. Melanie became Kilgore Maude Laird Middle School Twirler and Drum Major in 1990-1991.

From there Melanie went on to be a Kilgore High School Twirler from 1991-1995 and was Drum Major her junior and senior years. After graduating from high school, Melanie knew she wanted to attend KC. Kilgore College tryouts have changed since the first year Melanie tried out. They had to prepare a solo at that time and also learn a few eight counts of KC choreography that Paige Keitt taught the day of tryouts. Melanie's sophomore year at KC was very rewarding because she was Drum Major and had the pleasure of working one on one with Mrs. Keitt. Melanie says that she learned so much from Mrs. Paige Keitt, that she took those lessons with her to SFA and put them to use for the next three years as Assistant Head Twirler and Head Twirler. The following Spring, Paige Keitt asked Melanie to assist her during Rangerette Revels. Melanie says that the rest is history!

Melanie McMahon is married to Jimmy McMahon from Gladwater. The McMahon's now reside in White Oak.

Mrs. Keitt started taking twirling when she was in second grade from Joan Bridges at East Texas Twirling Academy. Mrs. Keitt started assisting Mrs. Bridges with classes when she was in high school. Mrs. Keitt was a twirler and the drum major in middle and high school. Mrs. Keitt says that she learned so much from Mrs. Bridges and that she gave her a great foundation in fundamentals and choreography! Mrs. Keitt has been married to Brad Keitt since 1983, they have two beautiful daughters, Christian and Collyn. Both Christian and Collyn are Henderson twirlers.

After high school, Mrs. Keitt attended Kilgore College where she was a member of the twirling line for two years before going to Stephen F. Austin. Mrs. Paige Keitt returned to Kilgore in 1985 to become the first official director for the Kilgore College Twirlers. Mrs. Keitt says that the years she spent as director for the KC twirlers were sixteen of the best years of her life. She watched the line grow into the wonderful organization it is today! She also enjoyed meeting and getting to know so many wonderful young ladies and their families.

"It was always such a joy to see my routines performed with such excellence. I will always treasure my memories as the leader of this fantastic group. I am so glad that I was able to pass this honor on to Melanie McMahon. I know that Melanie is the perfect person to take the line to the next level!"

Once...Always,
Paige Christian Keitt

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