Despite facing the coldest temperatures to hit our area in nearly a year last weekend was full of fun and excitement for many. I know many were disappointed they didn’t get to have a couple of snow days but the much needed rain, albeit cold, was most definitely welcomed in our area.
On Thursday and Friday evening many of us gathered around our televisions to take in the college football playoff semifinal games. Thursday night’s contest that featured Notre Dame versus Penn State was a thriller that kept even non-fans glued to the screen. Notre Dame was trailing with just over four minutes to play when they scored on a 54-yard pass to tie things up, 24-24, and with just seconds remaining they completed their comeback victory with a 41-yard field goal to advance to the National Championship with a 27-24 win.
That led us to Friday night and Longhorn fans across the state couldn’t wait to see their Horns play. Honestly, we all knew that Ohio State would be tough. Texas tied things up late in the second half only to give up a 75-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left which had the burnt orange trailing 14-7 at the break.
Ewers and company tied things up in the third and were looking to tie the game again in the final minute to force overtime. Instead, a fumble scoop and long score sealed the deal for Ohio State, 2814 and eliminated Texas from the bracket and set up an Ohio State versus Notre Dame National Championship.
While that was disappointing for Longhorn fans there was another really cool story that happened at the Cotton Bowl and featured some former Highlandettes and Burnet ladies.
This year’s Cotton Bowl welcomed nearly 800 former Rangerettes to perform. The ladies ranged in age from 93 to 20 years old and included Burnet’s own Caity Robertson Clinton, Megan Robertson Bowen, Karen Tarver-Shively, and Nikkie Evans. All four former Rangerettes who loved having the opportunity to kick it once more with their squad.
Karen Tarver-Shively is now a counselor at Burnet High School. Caity Clinton, Nikkie Evans, and Megan Bowen were all three members of Burnet’s Highlandettes before joining the Rangerettes in college.
They were all invited to Jerry’s World to perform in honor of the Rangerettes’ celebration of 85 years. The Rangerettes have performed at the Cotton Bowl annually for more than seven decades.
It was noted in a press release that the 2025 Cotton Bowl marked the 75 consecutive appearance of the Rangerettes. Another cool fact from the release stated that the most senior dancer, at age 93, originally performed with the Rangerettes at their very first Cotton Bowl appearance.
Returning alumni came from more than 30 states and 275 cities to adorn themselves in the iconic red, white, and blue one more time while they danced proudly at the Cotton Bowl as a Rangerette.
What a cool experience for our Burnet family to have been able to participate in and they all looked sharp in their performances.
Deidra Robertson, a mother to two who participated and former Highlandette director said it best, “Perfection is rooted in these ladies from their first practice as Rangerettes.” It showed on the field at the Cotton Bowl. Well done ladies.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading the Burnet Bulletin.
