Five honored as 'Giants' by Strutters dance team

Posted by University News Service

April 19, 2013

Five individuals have been honored as “Giants” by the Texas State University Strutters, the nation’s largest university precision dance team.

Cathy Cantu Cook of La Vernia, Diana Becker Hendricks of San Marcos, Jim and Debbie Robertson of Buda, and Sarah Aldrich Visel of San Antonio were honored April 13 during the “Strutters Spectacular,” the annual spring show performed by the Strutters in Strahan Coliseum on the university campus.

The award is given by the Strutters organization and Director and Choreographer Susan Angell Gonzalez. It recognizes benefactors who, through financial donations and service, have helped to ensure the continued legacy of the 53-year tradition at Texas State.

Cook has served on the board of directors and as president of the Strutters Always Chapter of the Texas State Alumni Association. She worked 23 years as a dance team director and assistant director. She has been instrumental in organizing the development of the Linda Gregg Fields Strutters Gallery at Bobcat Stadium and has assisted in creating a digital archive of Strutter history.

Hendricks is the director of communications for the ALERRT Center, a law enforcement training program at Texas State that teaches active shooter response. She is also senior editor for Real South magazine and a regular contributor to many national and regional publications. She has served on the Strutters Always board of directors since 2006, including two terms as president, and is a donor to the Strutters Gallery.

Debbie Johnson Robertson taught general and special education in Texas schools for 17 years. For the past 11 years, she has been an educational diagnostician for the Austin Independent School District. She has served on the Strutters Always Board of Directors since 2005, including a term as president. She has contributed many hours of volunteer work at various Strutters events and was a donor to the Strutters Gallery.

Jim Robertson retired after a 31-year career as a game warden and director of law enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He currently serves as a court security officer for the United States Marshall Service. He has contributed many hours of volunteer work at Strutter events and has been a donor to the Strutters Gallery. He and his wife, Debbie, are longtime members of the Texas State Parents Association.

Visel is currently in her eighth year as director of the dance and drill team at Clark High School in San Antonio and is a former San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer. She is a donor to the Strutters Gallery and has volunteered as an audition judge, a guest choreographer and a prop designer for the Strutters for many years. She has served on the Strutters Always Board of Director since 2006, including a year as treasurer.