About Us
Galveston’s very own dancing darlings, the Ball High Tornettes, proudly serve as the official dance team of the Ball High School Golden Tornadoes. Under the magic of Texas Friday night lights, the Tornettes bring together a passion for dance and a love for their community, dazzling crowds while representing their school and city with pride. Comprised of talented, well-rounded individuals, the team strives to be not only outstanding performers but also true ambassadors for Galveston.
​
The Tornettes’ year begins in mid-July with an intensive team camp, where they spend weeks training, building skills, refining technique, and learning routines for the year ahead. Their first performance season kicks off beneath the Friday night lights, as they take the field at halftime of every football game. Once football season comes to a close, the team enters their “Season of Giving,” participating in community outreach projects and performing at Central Middle School’s annual Winter Show. After winter break, preparations shift toward competition season and Mardi Gras, where the Tornettes join the Ball High Band in marching through at least seven parades each year, showcasing their dedication to the island and its traditions. Following Mardi Gras, the team dives into competition season, taking the stage against some of the best teams in Texas before closing out the year with their signature event—the annual Tornette Spring Show.
​
Being a Tornette requires far more than talent; it demands responsibility, dedication, leadership, and an unshakable commitment. They are often among the first students to arrive on campus for 6:00 a.m. practices and among the last to leave after long game days that stretch into the evening. While balancing early mornings, late nights, and countless performances, Tornettes must also excel in academics and other activities. The discipline, time management, and teamwork they develop on the team prepare them with invaluable skills that will serve them long after high school.
​
The Ball High Tornettes are also steeped in history, with roots dating back to 1949, making them one of the oldest drill teams in Texas. What began as a pep squad eventually transformed into a drum and bugle corps of over 100 members before evolving into the precision drill team known today. One of the team’s first directors, the legendary Barbara Tidwell, helped shape the Tornettes into a premier organization. A history teacher at Ball High, Tidwell founded the team and patterned them after the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes, dressing them in red, white, and blue. After her time at Ball High, she went on to create the Texas State Strutters at Southwest Texas State University, continuing her legacy in the drill team world.
​
Over the decades, the Tornettes have grown into one of Galveston’s most beloved traditions and have had a lasting influence on the growth and evolution of drill teams across Texas. Their rich history, combined with their ongoing commitment to excellence, continues to inspire pride in the Ball High community and beyond.
​
If you have additional history to share about the Tornettes, please email us at ballhightornettes@gmail.com.
