Kat Conklin-Collins, Director

Mrs. Conklin-Collins is excited about being the Royales Director and

the opportunity to carry on a tradition of building wonderful women through dance, professionalism, and love. She previously served as Royales Assistant Director and as the team leads for the AP US History US Gov't and AP Gov & Politics at Plano West which combined two of her favorite things… dance and history!  Mrs. Conklin-Collins is also serving as the Director of Dance for the Plano West Dance Department and West Dance Company.  

Mrs. Conklin-Collins began her love for dancing in early childhood in Long Island,

before her family moved to Texas. She studied at several different studios in Plano, attending competitions and conventions along the way. Mrs. Conklin-Collins served as Lieutenant of the Clark Cougarettes and Sergeant of the Plano East Golden Girls. 

Mrs. Conklin-Collins attended the University of North Texas, and continued her love and knowledge of dance by taking college dance classes in a variety of styles, and by choreographing and dancing with her sisters in Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.  She was very involved in her sorority and PanHellenic community through various leadership roles, including recruitment counselor. She decided that being a teacher would allow her to combine her love of history and her passion for dance. She was inspired to be like her drill team director, Kelly Cowan (and Captain of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes.) After graduate school at Texas Woman’s University, she worked at John Paul II and Jasper High School, where she had the privilege to spend 9 years as the Assistant Director of the Jasper Jazz drill team, some of the time while teaching on the Plano West campus. 

Mrs. Conklin-Collins loves every aspect of serving drill team, from choreographing, polishing, performing but especially growing the girls into powerful young women! Through her experiences, she learned the many values of dance/drill team—the life lessons that exceed the football field and spring show stage.  Her favorite styles to choreograph include modern and tap, and she is honored to work with the Royales and helping produce some fabulous performances and shows!