By John Veasey
FAIRMONT — Anita D. “Dee” Wolf has always been a fan of the Radio City Rockettes.
She has never see them in person — only on television — although her husband had told her they would see them some time in the future.
“I would love to have been a Rockette,” she said. “I always loved the Rockettes.”
Dee was a cheerleader at Monongah High School. And she serves as cheerleading coach at Monongah Middle School.
But 29 years ago, she decided to form the Marion County Rockettes. She started out with seven girls her first year.
Now her group consists of around 60 girls. She has her own Rockettes.
And for her 29 years of volunteer work for this group, Dee Wolf has been selected as a Marion County “Everyday Hero.”
“Actually the girls were called ‘Dancerettes’ the first year,” she said. “All we did was dance that year. They became the Marion County Rockettes the next year.”
That would be 1980.
And they have been twirling and marching ever since.
“I started with about seven girls,” she said. “They come from everywhere. I have around 60 girls now. I have had up to 75 or 80 in some years.
She said there is no cost for being a member of the Rockettes. “This is all volunteer,” she said. “We have tag days to raise money.” The Rockettes are easily identified in their silver, black and white uniforms.
“We have a banquet at Christmas time. The girls get trophies if they place in the parades. We award those at a big Christmas banquet. ... The money we raise goes for our uniforms, music and our sound system. The girls do purchase their own boots, hose and batons.”
The Rockettes practice once a week and get a month off in the summer time.
“Some will be chosen to go to Parkersburg. That’s where they have indoor competition,” she said. “They compete in different categories.”
And how old are the Rockette members?
“My youngest is 4, and they go to age 22 or 23,” she said. “I keep them until they want to leave.”
Dee says that discipline is a big part of the Rockette rules.
“There are rules you have to follow to be in the Rockettes,” she says, noting that one of them is that girls can no longer march if they get married or become pregnant.
She believes most girls appreciate the discipline. “They are getting some attention they probably would not get,” she said.
Dee has a niece who has been with her for 10 years in the program. She’s a featured twirler at North Marion this fall. “And I have a niece who was a Honey Bee at East Fairmont. They both started with the Rockettes.”
Dee says she has former Rockettes “who are now bringing their kids to me. I have some who are assistants who used to be Rockettes.”
She said the program is strictly for the kids — to give them something to do.
“I have a God-given talent that I was able to take and share with more than 1,000 kids in 29 years. It’s all about the kids. I’m not the hero. Those kids are. If you can help even one kid in this world today, you’re doing well.”
She says her daughter, Missy Stephenson, and her sister Jamie Boyce, also help her. “Missy helps me teach. My sister drives for me and plays my music.”
Many others have helped to make the Rockettes a success.
“If it wasn’t for all the parents and people in the community who donate to these kids, there wouldn’t be any Rockettes. You can’t run something like this on your own. I’m just grateful for all the help that I get.”
Dee says her group receives a nice reception everywhere.
“The people in Oakland, Md., really support us,” she said, mentioning that the Rockettes usually perform there each year.
“And this year in the Three Rivers Festival parade, the people were really nice to the Rockettes.”
The group raises money as a group to pay for their uniforms.
When they join the group, they pay $25 and that’s one fee forever,” she said.
“My main focus is helping the kids,” said Dee, who is employed by Pediatric Partners in its billing department. “There are a lot of kids who can’t afford some of the school functions. Some are quite expensive.”
Dee has a daughter and step daughter, one grandchild and two step grandchildren. Her husband gives her strong support with the Rockettes, she said
“I’ve had a great time doing this. Next year will be my 30th year. And as long as the kids are interested, I’ll be there.”
E-mail John Veasey at jcveasey@timeswv.com.
