When Nancy “Honey” Honeycutt-Searle was interviewed in 1990 to teach at McCallum, all she knew was that she wanted to be a coach. A drill team director wasn’t initially a part of her plans. Back then, McCallum’s drill team, Blue Brigade, was on its fifth director in four years.
From Searle’s perspective, the job simply seemed like the right fit for her with her drill team experience in high school. Now, she feels her biggest accomplishment in her 36 years at McCallum has been changing the reputation and community of the team.
“The first question the team asked me when I showed up for that interview was ‘how long are you gonna be here?’, so I wasn’t really quite sure what I was getting myself into,” Searle said. “When I first started, it just wasn’t anything that people were really as interested in, and so building the program over the years and just creating a space that people want to be a part of is what I’m most proud of.”
According to Searle’s previous assistant coach, Jami Friedman, it’s Searle’s passion and dedication to the team that has allowed Blue Brigade to develop so much under her leadership.
“She never hesitates to step in and help, to carry a little extra so someone else doesn’t have to, and she does it without ever expecting anything in return,” Friedman said. “She puts her whole heart into the people around her.”
But Blue Brigade isn’t the only thing Searle has dedicated her time to. Before stepping down eight years ago, she was the varsity girls’ soccer head coach for 28 consecutive years. She has also coached volleyball, track and helped out with softball and cheerleading in her time as a teacher.
“When I first started at McCallum, I coached a lot, I actually coached more than I taught, believe it or not,” Searle said.
She’s also taken the role as the lead health teacher for AISD, and works to help mentor new health teachers in the district, as well as revamp the curriculum every summer. Being involved in so much, she has had an impact on so many students.
Opal Rodgers, Junior Lieutenant on Blue Brigade, mentioned her favorite example of Searle’s diligence being the unique crafts and surprise activities she plans.
Rodgers explained how on the first night at their officer line camp, Searle gave each dancer a special tank top with their ranks on the back to wear the next day, which she had customized herself.
“As much as those things may seem small, they really do make a difference,” Rodgers said. “Knowing that she cares so much about our team and that she’s willing to make these gifts to surprise us with fun things, I will miss it so much next year.”
Searle hopes her impact on the team will continue to grow even in her absence, and McCallum’s Blue Brigade will still be the spirits, leaders and role models that she has inspired them to be.
“I want Blue Brigade to be a group that is respected and is looked up to as leaders,” Searle said. “When people think of McCallum Blue Brigade, I want them to think of girls and boys that truly want to be a part of a community of people who want to make the team better.”
Friedman, who resigned this winter, doesn’t doubt that the team will uplift Searle’s legacy to its fullest potential in both their absences. For her, Searle’s presence leaves an impact both in and out of the drill team.
“The beautiful thing about Honey’s influence is that she has passed it on to us,” Friedman said. “She has taught us how to take care of each other, how to stay focused and driven, and how to handle challenges with grace. The mood and organization she built are part of the team now, not just part of her.”
In hopes of making even more of an impact as an officer on the team next year, Rodgers has made it a goal of hers to allow Searle’s legacy to flourish.
“I don’t think anyone can fill Honey’s special place on the team, no one knows Blue Brigade better than her, but as an officer, I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure the team doesn’t feel discouraged in her absence,” Rodgers said.
With the team left in good hands and retirement in mind for the past few years, Searle decided that the spring was when she would finally close this chapter of her life. But the decision wasn’t easy for her.
“I just needed some closure, [each year] really just rolls into the next, there’s never a good cut-off point, so I think I finally just had to be like, this is it,” Searle said.
With that in mind, she is still looking forward to retirement and, more specifically, anticipating her future home projects and spending time with her grandchildren. With both her daughter and step-daughter expecting as early as May, she explained how she’s happy to be around to help.
For her students, colleagues, and team, they feel Searle has left just as much impact on their character and passion as she does on their education.
“She has shaped this team’s identity, and that legacy will carry us forward,” Friedman said. “Honey isn’t just a director. She is a mentor, a role model, and a safe place, and we are all better people because of her.”
