Majorette, co-captain of the Sassy Divas since July and a drummer. Her pastimes include a variety of musically-inclined extracurriculars, participating in the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” acting, improv, dancing and drumline. But most importantly, freshman Makaila Traylor aims to be a majorette dancer in college.

“I didn’t take it seriously because I didn’t know I was really going to do it,” Traylor said. “Then I started, and I was like oh snap. I’m really doing this. This year they added heels for the parade. The parades are five hours long nothing but dancing Sometimes in the cold. Sometimes in the heat or the rain.”

Traylor first starting dancing with the Marching Cobras after seeing an advertisement on TV. The Marching Cobras are a drill team, a type of orchestrated dance group where performers march in unison, but the movement has been infused with hip-hop, jazz and African dance. They are well known for marching in the popular parades in the Kansas City area like the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Brookside neighborhood on March 14. Since joining, Traylor has found her passion and made lifelong friends who she calls her dance sisters.

“There’s this thing that if you join at the same time as another person they’re your dance sister. I had two dance sisters,” Traylor said. “We would practice together and go to each other’s houses. It’s really fun. I wish I could do that again.”

Last July, Traylor leveled up to co-captain of the Sassy Divas, a college prep dance company that equips young girls to be a majorette in college. They participate in more serious competitions and parades. With a busy schedule, Traylor juggles Diva practice on Wednesday and Friday and drumline before school on Tuesday and Friday.

“As much as I complain, I really like that she is getting to experience so many different things,” Traylor’s mother, Kendra Black said. “It’s opening her mind up to a ton of different things. Kaila really is a dancer, and now being drill master she has to be on top of everything.”

Positioned front row for her high kicks and skill, Traylor leads her team through the harsh beating drums in the background. Staying on rhythm and keeping in sync with those around her is no easy feat according to her mother, but Traylor started dancing in the seventh grade and has earned her spot at the top.

“What’s unique about Kaila? Everything. She brings energy like none other. Her energy her excitement her enthusiasm is phenomenal,” music and drumline teacher Elizabeth Mulkey said. “She is always smiling and laughing. She’s an incredible snare player actually. She’s a really great learner, she picks things up really quickly. I’m super excited because she’s only a freshman; she’s going to be huge.”

As seen in issue 5 here.