As the end of the 2006-2007 year approaches with plans being made for new additions to the faculty, the Swingsters Varsity Drill Team pre-pares for a new addition to the team; former Lariats Direc-tor Brittany Shaver.

After a long, thought- out decision, current director Haley Shackelford decided it was time to leave her position at the school so she could have some time to focus on her family.

“I have thought and prayed about this de-cision for a couple of months,” Ms. Shack-elford said. “I made my final decision (in March).”

During this coming summer, Ms. Shackelford plans to move to Houston and possibly continue her teaching career.

“I plan to teach elementary school and continue directing drill team after a year,” Ms. Shackelford said.

After transitioning from high school drill team to elementary school classrooms, Ms. Shackelford hopes to continue directing pee wee drill team girls once she settles in Houston.

“ I do not know how long I will be living in Houston, so it would be easier to teach elementary school than start directing a drill team,” Ms. Shackelford said. “It would not be fair to the drill team if I just left after one year.”

For the current Swingster members who are returning next year, the news of Ms. Shackelford’s resignation caused the biggest impact.

“Ms. Shackelford leaving us is really upsetting,” sophomore Kelsey Roberts said. “I thought she would be my director for the next two years. I am nervous about next year because a lot of things, such as traditions she started, could (potentially) change.”

The transition for the varsity drill team has ignited a desire to know what to expect with Ms. Shaver as the new director. However, the Swingsters trust they will continue to achieve success and continue growing friendships no matter how big of a change they are faced with.

“It is sad that (Ms. Shackelford) is leaving us,” junior Samantha Jester said. “But I do not have any concerns about next year because I know the team will be just fine (with Ms. Shaver).”