Tyler Junior College Alumni Association

Join us tonight! The Apache Belles and TJC Apache Cheer will be performing and then one of our own Board Members will throw out the first pitch. Be there before 6:30 to enjoy the show!

College students get in free with their ID.

Special performances are happening tonight at Mike Carter Field! Come out and enjoy performances by the TJC Apache Belles, TJC Apache Cheer, and Abby Weaver singing the National Anthem!

College students get in FREE with a valid student ID!

An accomplished educator, coach, and performer, Dyann Kemp '80 has dedicated her life to inspiring students, uplifting her community, and carrying forward a legacy of leadership, dance, and service.

Dyann’s journey began at Robert E. Lee High School as a proud Southern Belle, where her love for performance and teamwork first took root. She brought that passion with her to Tyler Junior College, becoming an Apache Belle under the direction of Anna Carpenter and choreographer Al Gilliam.

During her time with the Belles, she performed at Dallas Cowboys games, the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and marched in the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C. She even toured the White House and met President Jimmy Carter in the Rose Garden - a moment she’ll never forget. Most importantly, Dyann built lifelong friendships that still endure today.

She continued her education at the University of Texas at Tyler, earning a B.A. in Physical Education and Health with a minor in History.

For 35 years, Dyann shaped young lives through education:
🏫 Moore Middle School: PE teacher and Head Coach for volleyball, basketball, and track for 17 years, where she was named Teacher of the Year.
🏫 Gary Elementary/Caldwell: 18 years teaching PE, creatively bringing dance into school programs and PE showcases. She founded three “Teams of Tomorrow” basketball performance teams, with students performing at TJC, UT Tyler, Tyler Legacy, Tyler High, and even a Harlem Globetrotters game. She earned another Teacher of the Year award for her impact at Caldwell.
🏈 She also launched a Punt, Pass & Kick program, helping several students reach competitions at Dallas Cowboys games — with one placing 2nd nationally.

Even in retirement, Dyann remains deeply connected to her TJC roots, volunteering with the Apache Belles and serving on the Apache Belle Gold Council.

Beyond her professional life, she stays active and engaged, walking 3–6 miles daily, tending her yard, caring for her beloved cats and dogs, and helping neighbors by dog‑sitting.