to see the magazine - University of Kentucky Bands

Catch It!
Winter 2012
Karen Ogden Studio
celebrates four
decades of
INSIDE:
southern success
• KOS — Four Decades of Success
Volume 53
Issue 1
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Editor's Note
Coaching at Both Ends of the
Spectrum
College Bowl Twirlers
Jenni Webb: College Twirling
Coordinator
2012 US Trials Athletes
New USTA Coaches & Judges
Show Team Event Info
Department Updates
Experience the Best!
The
besT
!
Twirlers
The
besT
faciliTies
!
For more information visit
The best competitions for
www.ustwirling.com or call 321-206-3240.
advanced / elite AND
beginning / intermediate athletes!
All in a family-friendly
location with lots
to see and do!
NEW WITH THE
CATCH IT! E-ZINE:
Book your hotel for
Nationals - page 13
Karen Ogden is a true southern
belle, as demonstrated by her gentle
spirit, exquisite manners and sweet
southern drawl. But don’t let that
southern softness fool you; underneath that ladylike exterior is an ironclad commitment to excellence that
has made her one of the most successful baton twirling and dance coaches
in southwest Louisiana for more than
four decades.
In 2012, Karen Ogden Studio will
celebrate its 42nd year in business
in Sulphur, LA, the small town where
Ogden fell in love with twirling at age
13, when she started taking lessons
from the local high school twirler, and
later from Carl Dunn.
“She really liked it,” said Ogden’s
daughter, Kristi Ogden O’Quain. “Her
mom would sell real estate half the
year to make money for twirling. The
other half of the year they would go to
clinics and competitions.”
Ogden went on to become the feature twirler at Texas Christian University, where she earned her degree in
Spanish. She taught school in Texas
for a while, where she met her husband, Don, but they soon made their
way back to Sulphur. Not long after,
Ogden was coaching in all the communities around Sulphur, as well as
her own front yard.
“I can remember being two or three
years old and looking out our screen
door and seeing her teaching in our
driveway,” recalls O’Quain.
Ogden stopped teaching school in
1968 and opened Karen Ogden Studio
(KOS), where she began producing
national individual and team champions, including her daughter, O’Quain,
and later, her granddaughter, Keragan Ogden, as well as Amanda Book
Guidroz and Lori Lewis Perkins,
both of whom are now USTA judges,
coaches and members of the KOS
staff, along with O’Quain. Perkins
is also a member of USTA’s Board of
Directors.
continued on page 7
Welcome to the new Catch It! “e-Zine”
18511 SR 501
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Phone: 321-206-3242
Fax: 509-275-3242
Web site: www.ustwirling.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Honorary Board
John Kirkendall/MI
Fred Miller/OH
Bobbie Mae (deceased)
George Walbridge (deceased)
Nick Michalares/IN (deceased)
Executive Board
Lee Callicutt/MD
John Chamberlain/FL
Ed Daizovi/IN
Diana Loomis/KS
Secretary/Lori Perkins/TX
Vice President/ Thomas Breuckman/OR
President/Mark Nash/CA
USTA DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
Communications/Anna Osborn Dolan
Competitive Events/Koralea Slagle
Education/Jackie Stewart
Growth & Development/Kellie DonovanPerelman
Member Services/Julie Jenkins
Tabulation / Michelle Dawson
USTA Webmaster/Gina Flores
TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP
Sandi Rios/U.S. Technical Advisor
Kyle Keiser
Karen Ogden
Jackie Stewart
Amby Taylor
Dale White
Winner's Issue Editor/Krystal Mignone
e-Zine editor / Anna Osborn Dolan
Graphic Designer/Tara Neff
USTA News & Views is a monthly
eNewsletter delivered via email.
2
Catch It!
Fall 2011
Volume 52
Issue 3
ts
United States Twirling Association
USTA is pleased to launch the new
Catch It! “e-Zine.” This new electronic format will allow us to produce Catch It! in a vibrant, full-color
format that you can read anytime,
anywhere, on your computer, iPad,
netbook, notebook or even your
smart phone. It will also save USTA
thousands of dollars in printing and
postage costs, that can be reinvested
in other programs to
serve our
Winners' issue
members.
The Winners’ Issue
of Catch It!
will remain a
printed, keepl
su
e
sake issue,
2 01
1 National R
highlighting
all of the winners from the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships,
Festival of the Future, US PreTrials and International Cup Qualifier.
USTA coach and master judge Krystal
Mignone will continue as editor of the
Winners’ Issue – a HUGE job – one
that she has handled for many years
with great dedication and attention
to detail! USTA is very fortunate to
have her at the helm of this important
publication!
Please send us your feedback on
the new “e-Zine” format, along with
your story ideas and other suggestions! We want to tell YOUR twirling
stories!
Sincerely,
Anna Osborn Dolan
Director of Communications
e-Zine Editor
Important Information
for USTA members
The newly-updated USTA Rule
Book is available to USTA members in a downloadable format on
the USTA website, www.ustwirling.
com. Just log in to Members Only
and click on Documents in the left
hand menu. A “read only” copy
of the Rule Book is available to
everyone under About Us>Contest
Info.
The entry deadline for the U.S.
PreTrials is Wednesday, April 4,
2012. Paper and online entry
forms are available on the USTA
website, www.ustwirling.com,
under Events>PreTrials.
The entry deadline for the U.S.
National Baton Twirling Championships and Festival of the Future is
Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Paper and
online entry forms will be available SOON on the USTA website, www.ustwirling.com, under
Events>National Championships.
Schedule and hotel information is
also available there.
Coaching at Both Ends of the Spectrum
By Kyle Keiser
USTA Coach and Judge
They come bubbling in the gym.
Pint-sized twirlers, new baton in
hand, ready for their instructions and
just sure they already know how to
do something special! First day of
3-year-old class is beginning. A wide
new world awaits them.
On any other day, the teenager
walks in with bags, various shoes,
powder to spin, tape for one of several batons, selections in music, food
supply and icy hot! They know the
process, prepare themselves for a few
hours of drilling and face the coach.
They know their mistakes, reflect on their competition, focus
on their goals and push or are
pushed.
This is the life of a coach working in two different worlds. To be
the coach of elite athletes is exhilarating, challenging and a history long in the making. But…….
to make sure our sport continues,
to find the next little twirler who
may just love spinning a baton
because he or she can, and to
seek the champions of tomorrow,
we must encourage, promote and
Kyle with one of her older students,
elite athlete Taylor Wiggins
present the opportunity for new
twirlers to walk in the door.
It might as well be Venus and
Mars. What the coach does with the
beginning 3-year-old is an entirely
different world than preparing a
freestyle or detailing an advanced
solo. The little ones are waiting
wide-eyed and eager to have fun.
The bigger ones each need to be
fine-tuned in the method they best
respond to. The 3-year-olds are
cute phrases and names of movements, circle games, learning to
Pointed toes are
important from the
very beginning!
Kyle gets down on her
students’ level during the
very first lesson with a
new group of three-yearolds!
follow instruction, keeping their attention, learning how to skip and reward
stickers. They are exhausting! The
Elite athlete is a mental and emotional
challenge. They are shaped by training and environment to rise above
their challenges and find somewhere
in themselves how to peak at the right
moment. They are a puzzlement in
mental, physical, emotional and academic challenges.
What is the common denominator
in all levels of instruction? Aiming for
excellence! It is the knowledge that
each child will rise to the appropriate
level of demand when you expect the
best. Having a passion for what you
do and being tolerant of individual
differences while addressing the needs
of your students is paramount. Have
standards for yourself and your clients
with the ability to be gentle when
needed and strong when necessary.
Not every child will be a champion.
But every champion was once a child.
Give the sport of our lifetime to
someone else………today!
3
College Twirlers go “Bowling!”
Congratulations to the twirlers who performed at bowl games this season! Just
look at the fun they had doing fabulous performances for thousands of cheering fans!
They tell us what the bowl game experience was like!
Alexis Abraham – University of Cincinnati Feature Twirler –
Liberty Bowl
"Twirling at the Liberty Bowl with the Cincinnati Bearcats twirling line was
an amazing opportunity. Performing in the parade on Beale Street was my
favorite part because the UC fans were so pumped to be there! I hope many
twirlers get to experience the thrill of a bowl game!"
Alexa Bourdage – University of Texas Feature Twirler –
Holiday Bowl
“This was my second trip to the Holiday Bowl and I could not have asked
for a better - or more fun - way to finish my career as the University of
Texas Feature Twirler! We visited a battleship, marched in the San Diego
Big Bay Balloon Parade, took on the Cal Band in a spirited "Battle of the
Bands", and even made an appearance the world-famous San Diego Zoo! I
was lucky enough to get to twirl fire baton in Qualcomm Stadium not just
once, but twice! What better way to finish off the trip than a Longhorn
victory? Hook 'Em!”
Danielle Cobb – Arizona State University Feature Twirler – Maaco Bowl
“After four years of twirling for Arizona State University, we finally made it to a
bowl game! I was so excited to be able to travel with the band to the Maaco Bowl in
fabulous, Las Vegas. It was such a fun place to be for a game, and we had a lot of free
time to go out and explore the strip. Everywhere we went there were ASU and Boise
State fans reveling and getting caught up in the excitement. If you were wearing
the ASU logo, people walking by would start yelling and giving the pitchfork hand
gesture. We performed at several pep rallies during the days leading up to the big
game. There was one performance that was particularly memorable when we had
a battle of the bands at the Freemont Street Experience. There was a
canopy of over 12 million LED lights that played clips from past Maaco
Bowl games and some of ASU and Boise State’s best plays of the season.
It was such a neat venue, and the ASU fans were very supportive of the
band, dancers, and twirlers.
Although the game did not turn out the way we hoped, it
was still a blast twirling for pregame and halftime with Lauren Basile
and Megan Husted in front of thousands of screaming ASU fans. The
temperature for the game was in the low 40’s. This may not seem too
extreme to twirlers from northern schools, but for us Arizona girls, it
was an abrupt temperature shock. Our coldest game of the season was around 60 degrees, and yes, we are pretty spoiled.
While we froze on the field in our costumes, we managed to stay fairly warm and bundled up in the stands. I’m so glad
I had the opportunity to participate in a bowl game before I graduate in May. It was definitely one of the most exciting
games I have ever experienced.”
4
Nicole Jensen – University of Georgia Feature Twirler –
Outback Bowl
“I am a freshman and I just completed my first season with
the Redcoat Marching Band. On Jan. 2nd in Tampa Bay, Florida I performed at the Outback Bowl held at the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers stadium. We performed at various events in the
days leading up to the game including a beach pep rally in
Clearwater Beach, a night time parade in Ybor City, a performance in Busch Gardens followed by a fun day in the park,
and two pep rallies on game day. Georgia took on Michigan
State and I had such a great time twirling for a brand new
group of fans as well as my beloved Georgia Dawgs!”
Chelsea Russell – University of Iowa Golden Girl – Insight Bowl
“Five years of twirling at the collegiate level, four fantastic bowl games - I am
so fortunate to have lived out every twirler's dream! This year is both my first
year as a graduate student in the MAT English Education program at the University of Iowa and my final year as the Golden Girl with the Hawkeye Marching Band. Though our football team might not have reached their full potential,
we were lucky enough to attend the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona for the
second year in a row! Going on a bowl trip is what every marching band hopes
for each season, and the Insight Bowl is a truly wonderful experience for everyone involved. The weather was in the mid-70's and ASU's Sun Devil Stadium
was absolutely PACKED with passionate Hawkeye fans. Because it was my last
time taking the field as the Golden Girl, it was a truly memorable moment for
me. Our halftime show was called "Dance Evolution" and I got to help choreograph sections of dancing for all 260 marching Hawkeyes - all of us got to do
the chicken dance, the YMCA, the Hustle, and many more. My favorite part of
the night was getting to do the Single Ladies dance with our Drum Major and
our mascot, Herky! After five years of performances, I truly believe my final
halftime was the best I've ever performed for the Hawkeyes. There's just something special about representing your team and your school in a new arena - I
will never forget this Insight Bowl experience, because it was a great way to end
my career. Go Hawks!”
Haley Williams and Marleigh Noss – Western Michigan University
Feature Twirlers – Little Ceasar’s Pizza Bowl
Haley: “Performing at Ford Field for an audience of that size was exhilarating and an honor. It was awesome to be on the entertainment side of such a
huge event.”
Marleigh: "The Little Ceasar’s Pizza Bowl was one of my favorite performances of the season. Being able to spend a few days during my winter break with
The Bronco Marching Band as well as performing was so memorable. It made
me realize those are the performances I have worked my whole twirling
career to achieve! Performing to an amazing 'Lady Gaga' show was so much
fun, seeing the faces in the audience light up as we perform is what I twirl
for! It was an amazing experience and I will cherish every moment I spent
with the BMB as well as the color guard! GO BRONCOS!"
5
College Twirling Coordinator: Jenni Webb
University of Kentucky Sweetheart Majorettes
Any high school or college twirler
knows that there is nothing like stepping out onto the football field for a
halftime performance, to hear the
crowd cheering for you and actively
supporting your talents. I was a feature twirler for the University of Kentucky (1998-2000) and twirling for my
college is something that I will cherish
forever- the band trips, the roar of the
crowd, the media spotlight, the friendships made- all of those memories will
be with me for a lifetime. After I hung
up my batons and stopped competing,
I took eight years off before getting
back into coaching. Being a part of
USTA twirling again filled up a
piece of my life that felt empty,
and last April, when I heard
the coordinator position for
the UK Sweetheart Majorettes
was being vacated, I jumped
at the chance to once again be
involved in the excitement of
college twirling.
Being a college twirling coordinator is a lot of work, but it's
very rewarding. Getting to see
your choreography performed
beautifully and displayed for tens of
thousands of people every week is
a huge perk, as is watching another
generation get to experience all of the
thrills that come with being a college
twirler. You make new friends, become
close with the athletes and band, and
get to see college athletics from a
different, more intimate angle. There
are times when it's tough - maybe the
drill has to be changed a day before
the performance, or those fire batons
just won't stay lit - but those are few
and far between. The things you focus
on and hold dear are the excitement
of a no-drop pre-game or halftime
performance, watching fans come up
to congratulate and take pictures with
the twirlers, and that specific feeling
of accomplished tiredness that comes
after a long and productive practice.
I feel very blessed too, as the band
director here is supportive of the
twirlers and the current line are all
excellent athletes who were very well-
2011-2012 UK line members are:
Tara Dauer, captain (MI)
Jayna Kubuske (OH)
Adrian McKinney (OH)
Emma Morkemo (WI)
Amber Holland (MI)
prepared by their respective coaches.
As a new coordinator, I have a lot of
goals - to book more performances for
the twirlers, to help establish scholarships for them, and to recruit a diverse and well-trained
group of incoming
twirlers. With funding
for many music and
arts programs receding at every level- from
kindergarten to college
- it's important to give
support to local band
members, color guards,
and twirlers - they
are an integral part
of any athletic team's
presence, but also an important part
of history and individual success. I
know "the Sweethearts" appreciate
every cheer and clap, and love knowing that they are making their own
mark on their school's history. When
I asked them what they liked most
about twirling at Kentucky, their
overwhelming response was, "the fans,
the school spirit, the performances!"
I would encourage every baton twirler
to consider trying out for a college
twirling position, so they can share in
that excitement and make memories
of their own!
USTA Professional Jenni Webb-Reynolds
(Lexington, KY) is a coach at Cyndi's
Studio in Ironton, OH and Bluegrass
Dance Center in Richmond, KY. She is
also an Ohio baton council member, a
freelance writer and author.
Remember: College twirler audition information is available at www.ustwirlng.com>College>College Tryouts.
6
KOS continued from page 1
“Karen is a world
class coach,” said
Perkins, who makes
a six hour round
trip from Houston
to Sulphur twice a
month so her own
daughter can work
with Ogden. (Emily Perkins won her
first National Grand
Championship,
Juvenile 2-Baton,
in 2011.) “Karen is
able to break down
any skill into a logical progression. She
expects attention to detail and has the
patience to work with each student to
their maximum potential.”
Perkins says Ogden never gives less
than 100% of herself to her students
and has high expectations for all of
them.
“Karen is tough - in more ways
than one!” laughs Perkins. “She has
rules and you are expected to follow
those rules. Don’t even think about
ordering French fries! From practice
sheets to eating habits, her expectations are clear and enforced consistently.”
Ogden was honored as “Coach of
the Year” and Perkins (who shared the
credit with O’Quain) was recognized
as “Choreographer of the Year” at the
2011 Nationals in Little Rock, Arkansas, after KOS teams won the national
Jr. Large Twirl Team, Jr. Large Dance
Twirl Team, and Juv. Small Dance
Twirl Team titles, as well as two second place awards.
“I was really proud of those
awards,” said O’Quain. “They recognized what a good staff we have and
all the hard work the staff and students put in.”
But Ogden is more than a successful coach and studio director.
She is also a successful pageant
director, contest director, recital
director, gym teacher, community
leader, wife, mother, grandmother,
and experienced judge.
“Karen is the most compassionate judge I know,” said Perkins.
After 42 years in the business,
Ogden shows no signs of slowing
down. O’Quain says that’s not in
her nature. “Her whole life she has
always said she loves her job!”
Congratulations to Karen Ogden
and Karen Ogden Studio!
Karen Ogden and her granddaughter
Keragan at the 2011 U.S. National Baton
Twirling Championships.
The 2011 National Juvenile Small Dance
Twirl Team Champions, KOS Deeper Well.
“I’ve seen her tell complete
strangers who have forgotten
their routine on the floor to “do
your roll section now”, or “don’t
worry, just start over”. She
smiles and cheers for you, and
sends positive thoughts your
way during every performance.”
The 2011 National Junior Large Twirl Team
Champions, KOS Black & White.
“Karen Ogden has been my mentor and dear friend for as long as I can
remember. She brought this wonderful sport into my life, and I couldn’t possibly
thank her enough for the countless sacrifices she has made on my behalf. Thank
you for taking Emily to a National Grand Championship. Thank you for
making me into the coach/judge I am today.
Thank you for giving of yourself so often. I love you.” - Lori Lewis Perkins
Lori Lewis Perkins, 2011 Choreographer of the Year, with Karen Ogden, 2011 Coach of the Year,
after receiving their awards at the 2011 U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships.
7
Introducing the 2012 U.S. Trials Athletes!
The prestigious U.S. Trials Competition will be held March 30-31 in Stockton, California. The following athletes are
vying for the opportunity to represent the U.S. in the 2012 World Baton Twirling Championships, to be held in August in
Villebon-Sur-Yvette, France. We wish them the best of luck as they pursue one of the highest honors in the sport of baton
twirling!
Junior Women
Adaline Bebo, 15,
Noblesville, Indiana
“I have worked
extremely hard to
develop the necessary skills and talent
to represent the U.S.
in the 2012 World Baton Twirling
Championships. It has been a very
humbling experience to train for such
a prestigious event and has been my
dream for six years. Twirling is my
passion and I plan to demonstrate it
through my routines. "How bad do
you want it?" has been my motto for
this training season. The answer is
"bad enough to put my dedication,
faith, and heart in it!" I hope that my
performance at the U.S. Trials will
allow me to be blessed with the honor
of twirling for the U.S. this summer in
Villebon-Sur-Yvette, France.”
Julia Boss, 14,
Deer Park, NY
“This is the first
year I am trying out
for the U.S. World
Team. The reason I
would like to be on
the World Team is because I want to
represent the U.S. at the most prestigious elite competition. I look up to
many of the competitors that have
been on this team and my dream is to
be able to follow in their footsteps. It
has always, always been my goal to
represent the U.S. at Worlds. It would
be an incredible honor to get to represent the U.S. in France 2012.”
8
Trina Catterson, 11,
Glendale, New York
“It has always been
a life time dream of
mine to reach the
highest level in the
sport I love. I can
only imagine how it would feel to
have the honor of wearing the U.S.A
warm up in the World Arena, knowing
I am there to represent my country! I hope I get the opportunity to
share this amazing experience with
my coach Alaine Robbins and fellow
teammates, Jack Giordano, Victoria
Massey, and my pairs partner Toni
Ann Cox and show the world my how
much I love baton twirling and love
the U.S.A!”
Toni Ann Cox, 15,
Deer Park, New York
“It would be an
honor for me to
represent the U.S. in
the 2012 World Baton
Twirling Championships. It has always been a dream of
mine to be a member of this team and
follow in the foot steps of the athletes
I admire.”
Amelia DiPaola, 11,
Fremont, California
“I want to represent
the U.S. at the 2012
World Baton Twirling
Championships because I enjoy competing. Freestyle is the hardest event,
but it is my favorite because I get to
pick my own music, and show off all
my skills and personality.”
Madison Eis, 14,
Amherst, Ohio
“I would like to
represent the U.S.
because I love to twirl.
I enjoy competing at
this level. Twirling has
given me many opportunities to travel
and meet new friends.”
Domenica Iocco, 15,
Mount Airy, Maryland
“I've been twirling
since I was five years
old. Through twirling a person learns
determination and
poise, teamwork, and respect for your
coaches, parents and competitors. It's
been my goal to represent the U.S.TA
at the World Twirling Baton Championships, to serve as an ambassador
highlighting our dedication to the
sport of twirling, good sportsmanship,
teamwork and individual growth.”
Rachel Johnson, 16,
Bluffton, Indiana
”I would like to
represent the U.S. in
the 2012 World Baton
Twirling Championships and have the
opportunity to compete against the
top twirlers from across the world.
Competing at International Cup was
definitely an amazing experience, and
I would love to have an opportunity
like that again.”
Hannah McCabe, 14,
Saratoga, California
“I would like to
represent the U.S. in
the World Competition
because I am inspired
by the international countries, and I
hope to compete at one of these competitions in the near future.”
Junior Pairs
Gabriella Medvick,
16, Richfield, Ohio
”I hope to represent
the U.S. in France as
part of the 2012 World
Team to have a chance
to experience another
culture and meet new people all while
competing at a sport I love.”
Savannah Miller, 15,
Kansas City, Missouri
“Getting the opportunity to participate in
the 2012 World Baton
Twirling Championships would be
such an honor to me in several ways,
but mostly not in the way you think.
To me, it is not the excitement of traveling to a new land, twirling at a great
venue or the chance to win a trophy,
but to me it's the opportunity to meet
twirlers from places I can't even pronounce. Even though we don't speak
the same language, we communicate
better than most through our shiny
sticks--twirlers understand and respect each other. That's what WOWs
me about the 2012 U.S. Trials."
Alessandra Stone, 13,
Fresno, California
"I want to represent
the U.S. because it's
my ultimate goal in baton twirling. It carries
the most prestigious
honor in our sport. All of my focus has
been towards achieving this goal."
Courtney Suh, 14,
San Jose, California
“I wish to push myself to exceed my own
expectations and goals
in baton twirling, working to perform
to my potential.”
Trina Catterson, 11,
Glendale, New York
and Toni Ann Cox, 15,
Deer Park, New York
“Hard work and
determination have brought U.S.
together. We have fun training and
always support each other. We would
be honored to represent the U.S.A as
the junior pairs if selected.”
Molly Dick, 14,
Owings, Maryland and
Domenica Iocco, 15,
Mount Airy, Maryland
"To represent the
U.S. at Worlds would
be a dream. It would be an amazing
opportunity to compete with some of
the best twirlers in the world and create life long friendships through our
sport."
Madison Eis, 14,
Amherst, Ohio and
Gabriella Medvick,
16, Richfield, Ohio
(Mad-Gab pairs)
“We would like to be
part of the U.S. Team in France. We
will bring to the team a real desire to
succeed. We both know it will take a
lot of hours of hard work and practice
to get there. Looking forward to seeing
everyone in California.”
Kiera Holloway, 15,
Sacramento, California
and Brooke Goldberg,
15, Baltimore, Maryland
“This opportunity
would be a dream come true, an
honor to represent this mighty nation and partnership means working
towards an extraordinary goal with a
special friend.”
Keragan Ogden, 13,
Sulphur, Louisiana and
Emily Perkins, 12,
Houston, Texas
“We want to be a
part of Team U.S.A so
that we can practice with and learn
from the best of the best! We love our
country and love our sport, so bringing home a gold medal for the U.S.A is
our ultimate goal!
Senior Women
Aryn Bigler, 24,
Roseville, CA
Alexa Bourdage, 22,
Austin, Texas
My first World
Championships as a
U.S. Team Member
was in Paris, France
in 2001. I was the Jr.
Women's Alternate. The alternates
didn't get to do their music tests that
year because we ran out of time at
the arena. My coach, Kyle Keiser,
promised me that we were going to go
home and practice so that the following year I would get to perform.
Since then, I have had the honor of
representing the U.S. ten times in
international competition. I want to
represent the U.S. this summer at the
World Championships because I want
to help the U.S. reclaim the gold and
because it's finally my turn to perform
in that arena.
Samantha Brown,
25, Tempe, Arizona
Torri Cicchirillo,
19, Pembroke Pines,
Florida
Being given the opportunity to represent
my country at the
world baton twirling
championships would be an enormous
honor, privilege, and has always been
a lifelong dream. It would give me an
opportunity to create unforgettable
experiences, memories and lasting
bonds with other twirlers from around
the country and world.
9
US Trials continued from page 7
Alyssa Go, 17,
Los Gatos, California
I am competing at
Trials to continue to
improve my baton
twirling skills. This
event will further challenge me to achieve
my personal goals in the sport I love.
Jenny Hannah, Adult,
Chattanooga, Tennessee
I would be honored to represent our
country at the 2012
World Championships
in Paris, France. World
is the ultimate competitive event in
our sport. I love to twirl and dream of
pushing the boundaries of the sport
and giving a personal best performance this summer.
Monica Lee, 28,
Los Angeles, California
Representing your
country at the World
Championships is the
highest honor that
any athlete can have
bestowed upon them, and it is an
amazing opportunity for any one who
is lucky enough to be able to experience it.
Jennifer Marcus, 28,
Orlando, Florida
Twirling is my passion and what keeps
me going everyday of my life. The
opportunity to share this love on the
world stage is what I have trained and
hoped for my whole life.
Victoria Massey, 19,
Selden, New York
Representing the
U.S. at the World
Championships has always been a dream of mine. It would
be an honor to be competing with the
best and most prestigious athletes
from around the world. Earning the
opportunity to compete in France
this summer would prove that all the
hours of practice and hard work have
10
paid off.
Catherine Ramirez,
19, Ho-Ho-KU.S., New
Jersey
I want to represent
the U.S. at Worlds
because baton is my
passion. I love twirling more than
anything, and representing the U.S. at
the World Championships is an unforgettable experience. I want the honor
to compete for my country, and to be
among other elite athletes who have
the same passion for the sport as I do.
Breanne Rowe, 18,
Arnold, Maryland
“I would love to
represent the U.S.
in the World Baton
Twirling Championships because it would
give me a chance to show what I have
to offer to the competition. I have so
much pride in my country and love
watching to see how the other countries perform this sport.”
Karrissa Wimberley, 25, Tallahassee,
Florida
"The U.S. Trials is
one of the most highly anticipated
competitions of the year in baton
twirling. With the caliber of athletes
we have in this country, earning a
spot on the team and a chance to
represent the U.S. is a feat not easily accomplished. I am excited for
the opportunity to try and become a
member of the U.S.A World Team, and
represent our country proudly at the
World Championships in France."
Senior Men
Emery Harriston, 49,
Alexandria, Virginia
I would like to
represent the U.S. in
the 2012 World Baton
Twirling Championships because I enjoy
the sport of baton twirling. It makes
me happy and I would like to show
my improvement of baton handling
and performance skills in the short
program and freestyle category. I
want to put a smile on everyone's face
and show them that "Age is really just
a number". Smile :-)
Richie Terwilliger,
19, Suffern, New York
Representing the
U.S. and competing
with some of the best
twirlers in the world
would be a tremendous honor. To be part of the 2012
U.S. team would lend its way to a
great learning experience as it would
give me the opportunity to meet some
inspirational twirlers.
Drew Abramson, 22,
Laytonsville, Maryland
Jack Giordano, 19,
Mattituck, New York
“Representing the
U.S. at the World Baton Twirling Championships is the greatest
honor a twirler can have. It’s inspirational to be in a gym with hundreds
of others who share the same passion
for baton twirling. Between seeing all
the countries come together, witnessing twirling at its highest potential and
getting a chance to compete amongst
the very best makes it a truly unique
experience.”
Sr. Pairs
Samantha Brown, 25,
Tempe, Arizona and
Jennifer Marcus, 28,
Orlando, Florida
“There is nothing
more special than representing our home country, family
and friends at the World Championships in the sport we love. Having the
opportunity to do this together after
twirling for 11 years together would
be our dream come true!”
Jack Giordano, 19,
Mattituck, New York
and Victoria Massey,
19, Selden, New York
Congratulations to these newly-certified USTA Coaches and Judges!
New Level I Coaches
Crystal Talmadge-AZ
Britney Newman-TX
Laura Sowers-OH
Kathleen Hall-OH
Gail Bordner-NC
Kim Koch-NY
Gina Stropkaj-PA
Becky Pylate-Vancleave-MS
Loretta Worsham-PA
Tamara Miller-LA
Amber Duke-FL
Tanisha Conley-MI
Kamberly Bebo-IN
Kaylyn Ahrenstein-NY
Breanna Diaz-NY
Maya Clark-NY
Payge Corazzini-NY
Barbara Walters-SC
Andrea Sloan-WV
Melissa Cline-WV
Dottie Eyler-PA
New Level II Coaches
Vance Vara-MD
Stephanie Vara-MD
Leslie Federick-NJ
Crystal Talmadge-AZ
Trudy Weeman-ME
Courtenay Kinney-ME
Meridith Salvas-ME
Stephanie Fortier-ME
New Judges
Judge Level I Part I (Home study)
Kathleen Hall-OH
Judge Level II
Christina Barnett-LA
Ashley Roberson-LA
Judge Level III
Patti Wojtowicz-NJ
Stephanie Vara-MD
Alyse Gillman-TN
PreTrials Judge
Abby Scanlon-TX
Master Judge
Kellie Donovan-Perelman-CA
Abby Scanlon-TX
Q & A with Stephanie Vara, newly-certified
Level II Coach and Level III Judge
Q: Why do you continue to increase your certifications?
A: I have really enjoyed all the coaches and judges workshops that I have
been a part of over the past year or so. I continue to increase my certifications because I really enjoy the learning process of each workshop! No matter what, I always learn a new way to look at something whether it be how to
piece together a routine or give more constructive feedback as a judge. All
of the workshop leaders are so experienced and when I take them with other
experienced judges or coaches, I feel that I am really able to take in a lot and
make the most out of the time.
Q: Is it worth the time and effort?
A: It was DEFINITELY worth the time and effort! Just to absorb all the
information takes time, but 8-12 hours learning about all this goes by really
quickly when you love it as much as I do. I try to take advantage of workshops close by, but I have traveled up the east coast just to be a part of them
because they are so valuable to my coaching and judging and I think every
workshop (and judge's focus meeting) helps shape me into a better coach and
judge.
Stephanie Vara teaches a clinic in Denver,
Colorado in November, after judging a local
competition sponsored by the Colorado
Baton Council.
Q: What additional benefit does it give you, our organization and our
sport?
A: I think a personal benefit is that I am becoming a stronger coach and
judge each time I get to interact with other judges and coaches, which hopefully spills over to my athletes as I coach them as well as the athletes I get to
critique as a judge. No matter how experienced a coach or judge is, listening to others is going to help shape you a little more and the more and more
interactions we all have, the stronger we can make the sport. I firmly believe
you are never done learning, and when we adopt this attitude we are always
open to new experiences which make us stronger as athletes, coaches, and
judges in the world of baton twirling.
11
2012 U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships
and Festival of the Future
Experience the Best!
The
best
!
twirlers
The
best
facilitie
s!
Schedule, hotel and entry information available at
www.ustwirling.com>Events>National Championships.
Entry deadline Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
Schedule of Events
Monday, July 9, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
U.S. Pre-Trials Events: Compulsories, Short Program, Freestyle,
Pairs & Teams
International Cup Qualifier:
Artistic Twirl, Artistic Pairs
National Events: Solo & Pairs
International Cup Qualifier: Solo
National Finals Show / Athletes’
Party
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
International Cup Qualifier:
Groups & Teams
National Group Competition:
Parade Corps & Show Corps, Show
Teams, Twirl Teams, Twirl Team Finals
USTA General Assembly, Holiday Inn
National Events: 2-Baton, 3-Baton, Strut, Flag & Rifle, Dance Twirl
& Dance Twirl Pairs
International Cup Qualifier:
2-Baton & 3-Baton
Thursday, July 12, 2012
(The USTA General Assembly will be held after
the competition, before the Professionals Dinner)
Friday, July 13, 2012
National Group Competition:
Dance Twirl Teams, Trios, Highest
Scoring Corps Performances, Dance
Twirl Team Finals
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Festival of the Future: Basic,
Military, Presentation, Dance Twirl,
Dance Twirl Pairs, 2-Baton, 3-Baton, Strut, Solo & Pairs
Help USTA keep National and Festival costs down...
Stay at USTA host hotels!
Negotiated hotel rates incorporate
many benefits for you and USTA. In
order to secure space at the hotels
and convention center or arena, USTA
must sign a contract with the host
city and the hotels that guarantee that
a specified number of rooms will be
booked by our attendees. The number of rooms guaranteed is called the
“room block”. As the amount of rooms
in the room block increases, costs to
USTA decrease. This helps USTA pass
along lower costs to the attendees in
the form of lower registration/entry
fee prices.
The hotel rates are negotiated
based on the number of expected
attendees required to comfortably
accommodate them. The basis for
negotiation with the hotel comes from
statistics of the competitions in prior
years. The contracts with the hotels
then guarantees specific numbers of
sleeping rooms will be used each night
during the competition. A complex
negotiation of meeting room space,
functions and events (with food), and
sleeping rooms provides the most
value per dollar for the Nationals and
those attending it.
If attendees stay in the host hotels,
USTA will fulfill its contractual obligation with the hotels. If attendees stay
in other hotels, USTA faces the possibility that its room blocks will not be
met, forcing us to pay severe attrition
penalties, which may potentially run
into thousands of dollars. The repercussions if the organization incurs
attrition fees, means there will be
reduction of member services, higher
dues, and higher registration/entry
fees in the future.
“This has always been a real challenge for USTA,” said Sandi Wiemers, USTA’s Event Facilitator. “Most
attendees don't understand that when
USTA contracts for an event several
years out, the hotels that are blocked
set aside meeting space and rooms
for us with a guaranteed room rate.
It's a challenge for us to explain that
we wouldn't necessarily have that
meeting space or hotel rooms available when the time arrives if we didn't
guarantee the rooms. USTA could
opt to not contract sleeping rooms.
However, we will pay more to stay
at the nearby hotels, the Nationals
will incur additional expenses for all
rental fees, the hotels will not hold a
block of rooms for us, and that may
leave people staying quite a distance
from the competition venue. In short,
when the competition ends up with
higher expenses, we all will pay a
higher price for hotel rooms, and future competition registration fees will
be pushed higher.”
Many sports associations have
gone to a “stay to play policy” which
requires the participants to utilize the
room blocks in order to register for
the competition. USTA has not done
that yet, and would prefer not to as
long as the majority of our members
understand the importance of this
issue.
Click on a hotel below to make your
Nationals reservations quickly and easily!
USTA Headquarters Hotel
2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Phone: 937-426-7800 * Fax: 937-426-1284
Group Rate Code: BTC
Special Group Rate: $99.00
$109.00 with Full Breakfast for Two
2550 Paramount Place, Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Phone: 937-429-5505 * Fax: 937-429-6828
Group Rate Code: UST – Special Group Rate: $104.00
2500 Paramount Place, Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Phone: 937-427-0800 * Fax: 937-427-0800
Special Group Rate: $99.00
Go to “Special Rates & Awards”
and put in the following code in the group code field:
NBTNBTN for Double Queen rooms
NBTNBTK for King rooms
2750 Presidential Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Phone: 937-429-0600 * Fax: 937-429-6311
Group Rate Code: NBT
Special Group Rate: $129.00 King Suite or Double Bed
Suite / $229.00 Two Bedroom Suite
3055 Presidential Drive, Fairborn, OH 45324
Phone: 937-912-9350 * Fax: 937-912-9580
Special Group Rate: $ 104.00
Go to “Promotion Code” and put in the following code in the
group code field: BAT102
3971 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn, OH 45324
Phone: 937-429-2222 Fax: 937-427-2204
Special Group Rate: Single or Double $84.00 /
Triple/Quad $94.00
Internet rate code: H-BATON
Or Call and ask for group: 120707NBTC
Show Teams
In September 2011, USTA’s Board of
Directors approved a new group event:
Show Team! Here are the things you
need to know about this exciting new
event! (If you are doing a Show
Team this season, please contact pr@
ustwirling.com. We’re looking for
Show Teams to feature in a future
story!)
The sanctioned group events, including A and Open Class Show Teams,
must be offered at all sanctioned
USTA contests. All sanctioned events
must be offered at USTA contests
unless a waiver is submitted to USTA
and approved in writing.
Group Events
Twirl Teams (beginner, intermediate
[optional], advanced)
Dance Twirl Teams (beginner, intermediate [optional], advanced)
Trios (Beginner, Intermediate, [optional], Advanced)
Parade Corps (A Class, Open Class)
Show Corps (A Class, Open Class)
Show Teams (A Class, Open Class)
The above info can be found in Section 2 page 4 of the rule book.
The following info on Show Teams
can be found in the rulebook in Section 2 page 11.
SHOW TEAMS
Determining the Age Division:
The process of establishing a show
teams age division will be determined
by the average age of the twirling
members. Each group will have the
option of competing in an older age
division than its average age if there
is at least one twirling member whose
age is within that higher age division.
When the average age has a decimal
digit, drop the decimal and use only
the number as the average age. Example: 14.9 = 14.0
14
AGE DIVISIONS:
Primary Show Team – average age of
twirling members is 9.99 or under.
Juvenile Show Team – average age of
twirling members is 10.0 -12.99.
Junior Show Team – average age of
twirling members is 13.0 -15.99.
Senior Show Team – average age of
twirling members is 16.0+.
Auxiliary members’ ages (all nontwirling members) – No age requirement. Ages of auxiliary members
are not figured in the average age.
Auxiliary members must hold USTA
membership.
Those parents/coaches that assist with
setting up the background scenery,
props, costume changes, etc and do
not perform as part of the Show Team
are not considered auxiliary members
and therefore do not require USTA
membership.
In order to compete in more than one
age division or class, a show team
must change at least 25% of its twirling members.
The following info on Show Teams
can be found in the rulebook in Section 4 page 12, 13 and 14.
SHOW TEAMS
Concept Summary:
A Show Team is a group event that
has a theme using props and possibly
a back drop. The Show Team must
use props such as flags, rifles, hoops,
ribbons, etc. to create musical interpretation and visual effectiveness.
Members’ responsibilities include:
Synchronic twirling
Exchange work
Team work
Staging (utilization of floor, design
patterns, creating pictures to music
with all props including batons)
Precision and unison of all members
with all props including batons
Creative handling of all equipment
chosen to be used as props
Musical interpretations with all
equipment chosen as props
Skills developed include correct baton
and body technique, continuity and
form development, choreography with
baton, uniformity of body position,
speed in relation to music, teamwork,
musical interpretation and visual
musicality, utilization of time and
space, mental and physical stamina,
exchange execution, ambidexterity
and recovery from error.
Emphasis is to be placed on precision and unison by all throughout the
entire program.
Classification of Show Teams &
Time Limits:
Primary Show Team (A Class and
Open Class) (Sm and Lg) 2-3
minutes
Juvenile Show Team (A Class and
Open Class) (Sm and Lg) 2-3
minutes
Junior Show Team (A Class and
Open Class) (Sm and Lg) 2-3
minutes
Senior Show Team (A Class and
Open Class) (Sm and Lg) 2-3
minutes
1:00 minute maximum to set up and
0:30 tear down
Definitions of Classifications:
Show Teams
Small: 4-8 members
Large: 9+ members
Declaration of Class
The two levels offered for Show Teams
are:
A Class – total score of 63.2 or below
Open Class – total score of 63.3 or
above
A show team director must determine
the classification of his/her unit prior
to entering a USTA contest. This
classification (A Class or Open Class)
must be maintained as entered until
the judges, through scoring, place the
show team in a higher classification.
Once a unit has declared its classification, it cannot move backwards to a
lower class. This declaration is estab-
lished upon the first entry of the unit
into competition between September
1 and August 31.
All show teams must compete in the
class they hold as of May 1 through
the completion of the National Competition. Example: if an A Class
Show Team receives a score of 65 at
a competition on May 15, that Show
Team would remain A Class through
the completion of the National contest.
In order to re-classify, a show team
must change 25% of its twirling members.
Determining the Age Division:
The process of establishing a show
teams’ age division will be determined
by the average age of the twirling
members. Each group will have the
option of competing in an older age
division than its average age if there
is at least one twirling member whose
age is within that higher age division.
When the average age has a decimal
digit, drop the decimal and use only
the number as the average age. Example: 14.99 = 14.0
2.
A Show Team may not use any
aid or equipment that leaves an effect or residue that will in any way
delay or hinder the performance of
another team. Penalty: disqualification.
3. Timing begins with the first note
of music. Timing ends with the last
note of the music.
4. All show teams will be given a 10
second leeway of allotted performance time.
5. Show Teams may start anywhere
on the floor. Show Teams may
finish anywhere on the floor. The
show team has 30 seconds to exit
the floor and remove their equipment after the last note of their
music. Penalty: 2.0 points.
6. There are no boundary lines or
boundary line penalties in Show
Team.
7. Upon being announced a show
team has a maximum of one minute to assemble for their performance.
Penalty: 2.0 points.
General Information:
Judges will be required to record comments on a recording device for all USTA
Show Team competitions. Show Teams are judged by three judges, each scoring
the entire sheet:
Twirling Content/Precision & Unison -
30 points Prop Content/Precision & Unison -
30 points General Effect -
40 points Penalties (to include timing penalties. No dropped baton or equipment penalties
will be assessed.)
Age Divisions (see Section 2):
Competition Area:
The competition area shall be the size
of a college basketball court (50’x94’).
There will be a minimum of five feet
of unobstructed space outside the
boundary lines around the 50’x94’
floor space for show teams. No full
back drops allowed (meaning that
back drops would not be as elaborate as Show Corps back drops, also
understanding that show teams only
have one minute to assemble and 30
seconds to exit the floor and remove
their equipment).
Requirements and Penalties:
1. An individual is permitted to
compete in more than one show
team as long as he/she does not
compete in the same division (i.e.
where the member is put in the position of competing against himself/
herself).
15
USTA Updates
The United States Twirling Association has many dedicated people working on behalf of its members in several different
departments and areas. Here are updates from four of them.
Competitive Events Department
Technical Advisory Group
Department Director:
Koralea Slagle, KS
Department Director: Sandi Rios –
U.S. Technical Advisor
Department Members: Stepfanie Baddour,
OH; Michelle Dawson, CO; Diana Guy,
OR; Melissa Marcus Vicente, FL
Department Members: Kyle Keiser, MI;
Karen Ogden, LA; Amby Taylor, NC
“Our department deals with any of the competitive
events, music, contest structure, etc.” said Department
Director Koralea Slagle. “Our recent accomplishments include adding the Trio event last season and the Show Team
event for this season. The Show Team event is similar to
Show Corps but on a smaller scale. (See Show Team information on page 15.) We are continually working on the
Strut event to give it more its own identity.”
Growth and Development
Department
Department Director:
Kellie Donovan-Perelman, CA
Department Members: Linda Boss, NY;
Ellissa Eby, NY; Jenny Hannah, TN;
Jennifer Marcus, FL; Casey McEndree, CA
“Our department is responsible for helping grow our
sport!” said Department Director Kellie Donovan-Perelman. “We just finished putting together a handbook for
instructors getting ready to start a baton twirling program.
We also are completing a DVD to go along with the handbook. We are also working on a DVD/write-up for instructors to be able to use as a marketing tool to promote baton
twirling!”
Watch for more information on those initiatives coming
soon!
Tabulation
Director:
Michelle Dawson
Members: varies by event
“We are updating the Nationals Tabulation program to
handle the change in the Grand Champions round,” said
Department Director Michelle Dawson. “We’re also planning a Tabulation Workshop, to be held sometime during
nationals week, to enable local, state and regional contest
directors and volunteers to learn how to use USTA’s Tabulation program.”
The Tabulation Workshop time, date and location will be
announced soon.
16
Dale White, OH – U.S. Judges Representative
Jackie Stewart, TN – WBTF Judges Chair
Special Projects: Bridgette Bartley, OH; Mike Harris, OH
“The 2012 policy and procedure manuals that govern
the U.S. Trials, U.S. PreTrials and International Cup Competitions have been updated and posted,” said U.S. Technical Advisor Sandi Rios. “U.S. Trials participants should
download the U.S. Team Member Manual for important
information.”
Rios also noted that the U.S. PreTrials Content Restriction Chart was reviewed and revised and a more userfriendly chart was created to allow our athletes and coaches
more development possibilities. It is available on the USTA
website under Members Only>Documents. TAG is also
pleased to announce that the U.S. World Team Training
Camp will be offered spring 2012. Stay tuned for more
details!
The Technical Advisory Group is also pleased to
announce the Regional PreTrials and Championships
dates and locations:
Northeast
PreTrials – May 31
Regional Championships – June 1-3
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Regional PreTrials Director – Karen Cammer
Regional Contest Director – Lee Callicutt
Central
PreTrials – June 8
Regional Championships – June 9-10
Flower Mound High School, Flower Mound, TX
Regional PreTrials Director - Karen Ogden
Regional Contest Director - Christina Barnett
Southeast
Pre-Trials – June 8
Regional Championships – June 9-10
Chattanooga, TN
Regional PreTrials Director – Amby Taylor
Regional Contest Director – Tracy Hughes
Mideast
June 15-16
Northside High School, Ft. Wayne, IN
Regional PreTrials Director – Kyle Keiser
Regional Contest Director – Jennifer Elsbury
Western
June 23
Fremont, CA (tentative location)
Regional PreTrials Director – Krystal Mignone
Regional Contest Director – Krystal Mignone