Red Hussars
Drum and Bugle Corps
Established:  1929

 
Hazel Dunham Baron, the Red Hussars' first drum major,
 posed for this studio picture in 1930

 

The Original Red Hussar Corps .... 1929
(Photo Courtesy of Nancy McClain)

 
The above picture was taken from the Port Arthur High School Yearbook "SEA GULL 1931" with the following description under the photograph:
"The "Red Hussars" were organized in Port Arthur High School last year by Miss Elizabeth Smith.  Twenty girls were selected after various try-outs, and practice periods were scheduled at the fifth period three days a week.  The corps was ably led by two Drum Majors, Ethel Thompson and Hazel Dunham, who created a sensation by twirling the baton and high stepping.  In addition to playing at football games, the "Red Hussars" gave a program for the Rotary Club at Orange, Texas, Country Club.  They were also asked to appear for the Lions Convention.  There were twenty new members added to the "Red Hussars" this year to replace those who were graduated.  "Best wishes, Red Hussars, for another good season."
The "Sea Gull 1931" yearbook was loaned to us by Mr. James W. "Jim" and Kay E. Smith of Bryan, Texas.

 


Red Hussars ... 1933

 


Above article appeared in "The Pilot"
dated February 5, 1935



The "Red Hussars" Class of 1946
Mabel Lee (Handel) is the Drum Major.  The girl on the 3rd row 2nd from left is Norma Wroten (Fusilier) and the 2nd row 4th from right is Joy Collins.  Can you name any of the other Red Hussars?
(Photo courtesy of Nancy McClain, former Red Hussar Director)


Donya Lu Eidom
Class of 1949


Katheryn Louis Davis
Drum Major
Class of 1951

Red Hussar Officers about 1951 or 1952.  (L-R):  Jessica Barbosa, Shirley Hotard, Helen Simon Wyble, Flo Thorne Garrett, Jane Crouch (now deceased, Jeanne Byrd Meyer, Judy McDonald Stout, Gay Nell Willis, Margaret Changos, Christine Thomas, Jennis Tucker and Pat Flynn Kyser.  I do not know the married names of some.  (You have said that Betty Jo White was sponsor in 1939.  I'm not sure but I don't think she goes back that far.  She was our sponsor in 1950, 1951 and 1952).  I am so sorry the Hussars disbanded.  They evidently didn't have the fun and esprit de corps that we all had.  It was such an honor to have been a Red Hussar.  Judy McDonald-Stout 
(Photo courtesy of Judy McDonald-Stout ... TJ Class of 1952)

 

Jo Carol Savorino
TJ Class of 1957
Visiting the Red Hussar Alumni in preparation of the TJ FINAL Homecoming

 

We were clocked the year Jo Carol was our drum major.  We marched 365 steps a minute when we did the double time.  How about playing a bugle or a drum marching that fast?  Whew!  Can't do that today but I play "Here We Come" on a cow horn and on a conch shell ...
Carolyn Bigler,  Hussars 56-58, Honolulu, Hawaii

 
Janis Thibodeaux-Praiswater
 & Karon Owen-Hardee 
(Red Hussar Alumni) Preparing for the "Extravaganza"
  (TJ Class of 1960)

 

Red Hussars - Class of 1960

 

L-R:  Linda Tomlin, Jeannie Hollingsworth, Pat Daniel, Claudette Hilliard and Bo-Peep Patrick
(Class of 1961)

 

CavOILcade Parade in downtown "Old Port Arthur" October 1960

 
Red Hussars (1961) getting ready for CavOILcade parade

 

Red Hussars .... 1961

 

New Hussars 1967 - Gettin' their "Boots"

 

Red Hussars marching in the TJ School Courtyard school year 68-69
(Photo courtesy of Johannna Marisey .. TJ Class of 69)

 


Red Hussars 1980
Cathy Rosas -- Holding Red Hussar Flag
Marcy Stroder -- Holding Symbols

 

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This page was last updated on:  Saturday, July 30, 2005