đ West Virginia: The Why of Twirling
Excerpt: âWhat is a twirler? Basically, it's someone who performs routines and tricks with a baton. The University of West Virginia has a proud tradition of competitive twirlers and even won a national competition in 2014. But these twirlers spend lots of time and money to be a Mountaineer feature twirler. So why do they keep twirling when they could focus more on academics? For these women, the benefits go beyond twirling.â (Published January 31, 2024, BYU Radio)
đ¤ Amelia Mugavero, Reporter, CBS News Texas
Excerpt: âAmelia is a world champion baton twirler -- first learning to twirl from a studio in Garland, Texas. She was offered the prestigious position of Feature Twirler for the Marching Illini. She twirled for all home games and performed at Chicago Bears games, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.â (Published February 8, 2024)
đ¸đż Texas Woman Launches First HBCU Doll Line
Brooke Hart Jones is the creator of a new line of dolls that honor the magic and legacy of Americaâs Historically Black College and Universities. Learn about HBCyoU Dolls including Autumn, a majorette with a pretty silver baton, at the following links:
𤨠How North Carolina baton twirlers are boosting their sport in a state without twirling
Excerpt: âUNC-Chapel Hill Band Director Jeff Fuchs said he wouldnât let someone go out on the field with the Marching Tar Heels who wasnât spectacular â and based on the response heâs had to Arciolaâs performances with them this fall, he can see a future for a steady twirling program.â (LINK)
đ Twirling: the sport you didnât know was around
Excerpt: âThatâs Jeff Fuchs, UNC band director. Arciolaâs addition to the band has been easy. Sheâs so advanced that she doesnât require a coach. If Fuchs tells her that during a performance he wants her here, here, and here, sheâll be there. All while choreographing her own routines.Â
Also, there arenât a lot of people interested in the position. Lauren Nogle of the Flourish Baton Club, says that North Carolina isnât what you would call a âtwirling stateâ as some states in the midwest are.â (LINK)
â Twirling Legend Chet Jones
The United States Twirling Association recently paid tribute to twirling legend Chet Jones who passed away at the age of 83, on February 1, 2024. Click here to read their post.
đ Rare Finds
World War II Majorette Doll For Sale on Etsy (LINK)
Peggy Twirl, 1966 Vintage Uncut Majorette Paper Doll (LINK)
Christmas Majorette Figurine $495.00 (LINK)
đ Beyonceâs Homecoming Documentary
ââŚHomecoming spotlights some of those who were on the journey with herâŚthe baton twirler who says: âThis dream is something that I could never dream of for myself. I couldnât dream this big at all.â (LINK)
â Fair Question
From the unknown X user, @FreeBird_freeze: âwhy do female performers wear baton twirling outfits on stage? i don't get it...â (LINK)
đ° Local Coverage of Twirlers, Twirling
â¤ď¸ Breckyn Steele is the first baton twirler at LHHS in 25 years (LINK)
â¤ď¸ Tracy Highâs Feature Twirler: Emma Sawin (LINK)
â¤ď¸ Roselle Park Twirler Youngest Competitor at Freedom Cup Championship (LINK)
â¤ď¸ Jadyn Vincent performs at basketball game (LINK)
â¤ď¸ Always striving to improve: Jayda Turner brings twirling to West (LINK)
đ¸đź âEverything to gainâ: Texas Tech Twirler crowned Miss Lubbock 2024 (LINK)
đ¸đź 'Always be a princess': Miss Gainesville 2024 honors loved one through win (LINK)
đ Regina to play host to Canadian Baton Twirling Trials (LINK)
From Beckyâs Obituary
âI will miss my Mom dearly, but there are so many memories she left with me. As I look back, my memories center around how important family was and how dedicated she was to us. Despite working outside the house full-time she managed to hand sew countless baton twirling costumes, drive me to weekly baton lessons, and baton twirling contest throughout the United States for over 12 years. She spent hours either in a gym or on ball field cheering Chris and I on. When our team didn't have warmups like the boys team she made them for the team. At my last basketball event she presented every player with a hand made doll that looked like them in their ASU uniform.â
From Lucyâs Obituary
âLucy was well known as a child and young adult for Baton Twirling. She was a champion and won many awards.â
From Maryâs Obituary
âMary, known as Susie by many, was born to John and Louise Manning on February 5, 1942, in Kansas City, MO. Many of Mary's lifelong friendships were made at St. Elizabeth Grade School and Hogan High School, where she was known for her fire-twirling baton.â
Mary Sue De Martini, 1942 - 2023
From Synthiaâs Obituary
âWhile in school, she performed on the trapeze for the Peru Circus and was a baton twirler.â
Synthia Jane Zirkle, 1950-2024
From Gladysâs Obituary
ââŚShe graduated from Anahuac High School in 1949, and was a member of the basketball and volleyball teams, and a cheerleader and a majorette â she was a proud and talented baton twirler. Kitty was on the yearbook staff for the Anahuaconian, in the Quill and Scroll (high school journalism honor society), a Football Maid (homecoming court), in the Spanish Club and was also voted Senior Class Favorite.â
Gladys âKittyâ L. Harmon, 1931-2024
đď¸ Latest Blog Posts
Majorette in the Snow (LINK)
1920s Majorette Troop (LINK)
Louie Jolene Hardison (LINK)
Elaine Helen Giese (LINK)
Dorothy Vinella Humphrey (LINK)
Willard Everett Roth (LINK)
Sample Governorâs Proclamation for World Baton Twirling Day (LINK)
đ Help Wanted
We are looking for volunteers to help curate content for the Vintage Baton Twirler website and calendar; social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook) and this Substack newsletter. Please email a note of interest to info@vintage-baton-twirler.org. Skills desired:
Writing, Editing
Knowledge of Twirling
Research and Source Citing
Advanced Wordpress.org
Social Media