Those who have danced before leave steps to follow, just ask the 2014 Dixie Darlings at the University of Southern Mississippi.

USM will celebrate the Dixie Darlings’ 60th anniversary during their homecoming game Saturday. The game will feature both young and not-as-young dancers taking the field. Included among the young dancers will be Trinity Episcopal Day School graduate Randa Morace, who is in her sophomore year as a Dixie Darling at USM.

The world-famous Dixie Darlings were created in 1954 under the direction of USM’s band director Raymond Mannoni. Church Hill resident, Delia Noble Guedon, was there to witness it all.

Guedon graduated from Fayette High School and decided she wanted to attend USM.

After joining a sorority, Guedon was encouraged to get involved with her school.

“I got to be a Dixie Darling, and it was a marvelous experience,” Guedon said.

Fast forward 60 years and you get Morace, who unlike her predecessor always had her heart set on USM and the Dixie Darlings.

Guedon and Morace gathered together for the first time last Saturday at Historic Jefferson College.

“Take care of yourself, or in 60 years you will look like me,” Guedon said to Morace as they both shared a laugh.

Both women were cheerleaders during their time in high school.

“I loved dancing at football games in high school, and I wanted to continue that in college,” Morace said.

Now at USM, Morace is majoring in theater, with a minor in dance.

She finds enjoyment in performing, especially on big fields — like at the University of Alabama.

Morace said the current dancers have been told about the original Dixie Darlings many times and work to maintain the same traditions that were formed 60 years ago.

“Most girls who are in the Dixie Darlings have the get-out-there-and-do-it attitude,” Guedon said. “It’s been that way for 60 years.”

Both Guedon and Morace can point to life lessons learned as a Dixie Darling, and Morace’s mother, Pam Morace, could attest to that.

“There’s often days where kids get to go home on Saturday, but the Dixie Darlings are out on the field practicing,” Pam said. “That kind of dedication, sisterly love and discipline is exactly what my husband and I wanted for (Randa).”

Randa looks forward to possibly performing with Guedon during homecoming.