According to April Hunt, the director of the Morton Ranch High School Maverick Belles in Katy, Texas, 
the Maverick Belles are hardworking and committed to their team. Although they have all levels of dancers, most come to the Maverick Belles with no previous training. They work together and strive to be the best technicians and performers they can be.
Morton Ranch High School first opened its doors in 2004. The Maverick Belles Dance Team became the first organization at Morton Ranch High School when they held tryouts in December, 2003 to form the first dance team. Eighteen charter members were selected and the traditions began! The Maverick Belles have been under the direction of the founding director, Kandy Lankford, and current director April Hunt. Over the past eleven years the Maverick Belles Dance Team has worked hard to establish traditions while leaving behind a legacy of discipline and success. Community involvement, team building, discipline and school spirit are all aspects of the Maverick Belles Dance Team. The Maverick Belles perform at football games, pep rallies, basketball games, fundraisers, and their annual spring. On the 24th and 25th of April, 2015, the Maverick Belles will perform in their Spring Show at the Morton Ranch High School Performing Arts Center. The Maverick Belles believe that once you become a member of the Maverick Belles Dance Team, you will be a Belle forever.
In April’s opinion, the Maverick Belles is different from other dance programs because they value their team traditions and they are positive role models on their campus. They have great rapport with their faculty and student body. The Maverick Belles strive to maintain the discipline and that make the one of the most successful organizations on their campus.
She says that every performance and event makes her beam with pride. April believes that many people don’t realize that dancers work for hours to learn and polish a two minute performance. April says the Maverick Belles are beyond amazing and she sees herself as very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. She believes that Alumni returning from college and coming back to watch the Maverick Belles perform, is the biggest compliment a director could ask for. It means so much to April to hear that they cherish the memories they made on the team and are proud to be a Maverick Belle Alumni.
The seniors accept the responsibility to guide the new members through their first year. One thing that they tend to know about dance that the younger dancers still have not learned is explained in the following quote by Miata Givens-Colonel. “Every second together counts. It is important to practice with intensity and dance together as one unit. Every program has a style. It takes time and practice to adapt to that style and dance as one team.”
The Maverick Belles are wrapping up an amazing year. The 2014-2015 Belles are the eleventh line of Maverick Belles. In one short year they have grown together as a team. Through their dedication and hard work they have had the most successful competition season in Maverick Belle history. The Maverick Belles are National Champions earning 1st place in Elite Ensemble, Team Hip Hop and Team Modern at the ADTS National Competition. They placed 2nd in Team Kick and Large Ensemble.
April is a firm believer that dance programs provide so much more than technique and discipline. Because of the Maverick Belles involvement in dance team, their students are more prepared for the world they enter after graduation. Some choose to continue their journey with dance but most 
become successful college graduates and career oriented individuals. April opines that dance teams teach time management, self-confidence, cooperation, team work, goal setting, perseverance, and the importance of community.
The Maverick Belles are actively involved in their community though the Belles Give Back program. This program was created to allow the students to reach out beyond their campus walls to make a positive impact in their community. Through events and activities, they have volunteered in various ways and made a positive impact in their community. They have adopted local families over the holidays to provide gifts and food, donated supplies to feeder elementary campuses, arranged prom dress donations to benefit Morton Ranch High School students, mailed care packages to troops overseas, donated Band-Aids and care packages to a local medical clinic and more. Through volunteering, their students have been greatly impacted by their own acts of kindness and generosity. The act of giving is contagious and this program has allowed their students to serve their community in countless ways.
If you would like to know more about the Morton High School Maverick Belles Dance Team, check them out on their web site at http://www.maverickbelles.com.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with April Hunt of Morton High School Maverick Belles Dance Team.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
