The MDDTTexas Story

MDDTTexas is one of Texas’ oldest dance/drill team competitions. Founded by the late Dr. Kay Teer-Crawford, MDDTTexas has provided numerous opportunities for dance/drill team members both nationally and internationally.

To honor her memory Dr. Crawford’s family is continuing her legacy. This year celebrates 53 years since the beginning of MDDTUSA.

Oak Ridge High School has hosted this event for 25 years (since1996). Kingwood Park High School was added as a second venue in 2009. In the last 5 years, Klein Cain High School, and Klein Forest High School have become part of the MDDTTexas family, with the newest venue of Stafford High School.

As a retired educator, celebrating 44 years in the public school system - 26 years as a dance/drill team director and 14 years as an administrator (associate principal and head principal of a 9th grade wing) and a school board member for 4 years, I feel very privileged to carry on Dr. Crawford’s beliefs.
~Cathy Arellano

The History of MDDT Texas
The first contests for MDDTTexas were in the early 1970's and were designed for only soloists to compete at the national competition. Dr. Crawford had two contests - one in Dallas and the other in Nederland. The winner of each area went to Calif. to compete. In 1976, Cathy took her first officer group from La Marque HS to the officer camp at UH where she met Dr. Crawford. Cathy's team was small and Cathy was a new director. Kay mentored her and help her through the bumps of learning how to teach drill team. Cathy's first contest with Kay was in 1980, when she brought the entire team to Nimitz for competition.  Cathy took La Marque to nationals in 1981and was hooked on going west!! The girls had a great time and the contest was so different! Teams were able to compete in any division small, medium or large team. Directors strategized and competed in the division they felt best suited their team.

When Cathy became the director of the Klein Oak Strutters, she continued taking her team to compete in California. She and Dr. Crawford had become very close and she asked Cathy if she would like to take MDDTTexas over and establish it as a major contest for teams. She was redesigning MDDTUSA and wanted to concentrate on that and the challenge of having dance in the Olympics. Cathy was flattered and scared! A company with such a great mentor and roots deeper than any other company was a huge legacy to continue. Kay and Cathy revamped the competitions and when Kay passed away in 2001 at the age of 89. Two weeks before she died, she told Cathy that she had given MDDTTexas to her because she knew how much she loved dance/drill team (as much as she did)! She never wanted the love of dance/drill team to die and she was very sure that Cathy would hold on to her dream. 

"I promised Kay that I would keep her dream alive and was honored when I was asked to give her eulogy. I hope to continue to make her proud." 

The Philosophy 
Cathy's Philosophy: "I cherish the dance/drill team experiences. I believe that my mentor, Dr. Kay Crawford, had the right idea in regards to her love of Drill Team and healthy competition. It makes a student grow in dignity and integrity. It's not about the trophy. It's about what develops from within that builds the character. I continue to pursue her dream, and I hope it influences students in developing self-esteem and pride in hard work with dedication. As an administrator, I saw the need for programs like Dance Team where students have structure that is wholesome and real. MDDTTexas is an avenue that teaches hard work and good sportsmanship."