I can’t recall a time when I knew about South Natchez-Adams High School that I didn’t also know about its Colonel’s Ladies drill team.

With their sequin uniforms and white knee-high boots, they high-kicked their way to fame and became known as “The Heart of South Natchez.”

Suzi Russ was the faculty sponsor for the Colonel’s Ladies.

Few teachers at South Natchez impacted as many students as deeply and for as long as Mrs. Russ.

For decades, she could be found practically every day after school putting the squad through its paces for hours, because they always had a new horizon to conquer.

Football halftimes. State competitions. Parades across the region and nation. The Spring Show. Tryouts for the next school year.

If idle minds are the devil’s workshops, he’d have quickly gone bankrupt within CL’s!

Mrs. Russ was one of many dedicated faculty who never seemed to leave campus, but one thing set her apart: she was able to engender and inspire a standard of excellence no one else could match.

No matter how many titles the Colonel teams won, no matter how many festivals the choirs or bands won, and no matter how many performing or visual arts ribbons and trophies were won, no extracurricular activity at South Natchez ever rivaled the CL’s.

Mrs. Russ created an aura about her squad. They shared a sisterhood and bond that exceeded many college sororities, and they commanded a level of respect and admiration from everyone on campus.

And next-to-never did anyone hear of a Colonel’s Lady getting into trouble.

Clearly, I wasn’t, shall we say, qualified to be a part of the Colonel’s Ladies, and even if I otherwise had been, the fact that I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time would’ve sunk my chances.

So how did I become involved with the most prestigious group on campus?

Like most good things, it happened by coincidence.

Not long after my sophomore year began, Mrs. Russ discovered my artistic ability, and for the next three years, she put me to work designing t-shirts, program covers, props, and most anything art-related the CL’s needed.

Working on all those projects gave me an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, contribute, and develop a standard of excellence like hers.

Whenever I did a project for Mrs. Russ, I relentlessly polished it as close to perfection as I could, because I knew she wouldn’t accept anything less.

Knowing I could produce work that met Mrs. Russ’ standards gave me confidence and abilities that have propelled me through three degree programs and an 18-year career in higher education.

Occasionally, when I’m tempted to lower my classroom standards, my mind drifts to those countless times I’d walk through the gym and hear her say, “Do it again! Five-six-seven-eight…!”

When I graduated, she presented me with a letter opener, engraved, “Love, The CL’s.” I treasure it as a reminder that in a small, indirect way, she let me be part of the heart.

After I finally caved to the social medium of Facebook last November, I friended many former teachers, including Mrs. Russ.

Thankfully, that allowed me to observe the last few months of her time on earth before she was called home last week.

I’ll miss her weekly updates just like I miss all the things that made South Natchez such a special place to go to school.

If the Colonel’s Ladies were truly “The Heart of South Natchez,” Mrs. Russ was the heart of the Colonel’s Ladies.

She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on for many years to come….deep within our hearts.

 

Ben Goss is a Natchez native and an associate professor of sport business at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. He recently accepted an appointment to return to Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., for the 2016-17 school year.