The overhead lights of the Schlessman YMCA gym looked to be at risk as I stared up at the ceiling trying to see the spinning silver rod.I could not find it. I could not even see it fall back into the young twirler's opened hand before it went up to the ceiling again and I lost it once more in the lights.
"She is just getting so much arm strength that we will have to move all her practices outside so she won't break a fixture," said Stacy Lochowicz, the Youth and Family Director for the Schlessman YMCA and twirling instructor extraordinaire. "Because it is getting dark so early we can't be late starting practice outside or she will lose the baton in the night sky amongst the stars!"Not a concern for me, I thought, the baton moves so fast that I can't see it anyway.
I am watching 13 year old Stephanie Kern-Allely and 14 year old Ashley Peters run through their practice sessions. Stephanie is working on baton, whereas Ashley is practicing a ribbon and rhythm routine. Ashley is just getting back into baton, but Stephanie has raised the bar, so-to-speak, as she prepares for the Regional competition November 14th and 15th in Omaha, Nebraska, after placing in the Colorado State Twirling Competition in June.
A little research on a sport of agility, coordination, grace and flexibility involving throwing one or more silver bars in the air indicates that twirling probably began long ago in Eastern Europe and Asia as a part of dance festivals. Throwers used knives, guns, torches and sticks to twirl and toss into the air as part of their dance routines. Seems twirling anything that can be twirled has historically been a natural thing to do.
Early 19th century found the sport primarily dominated by male flag and rifle carriers until, after the civil war, a popular Major Millsop opened a college and created baton twirling for the women athletes whom he called Majorettes. The sport really took off in the 1930's when band leaders began placing a drum majorette in front of the band adding color and interest as they performed the "strut" (a high step of at least 12 inches above the ground) while keeping the beat with their bar.
Popularity continued to grow as a sport for young women until Title IX, in 1972, opened a myriad of alternatives. Interestingly, the sport then became organized in 1977 through the formation of the World Baton Twirling Federation and the World Twirling Association. Since that time state, regional, national, and world level competitions have been held and there is active interest in placing baton twirling along side rhythmic gymnastics as an Olympic event.
"So when did you start doing this sport and why?" I ask the smiling Stephanie as she takes a break from her figure eights, finger twirls, thumb flips and the throws with scary back hand catches. "My parents signed me up for a class at the YMCA when I was seven and I caught on pretty quickly. I really like it because it is fun and I have made a lot of friends through the competition. But really, it helps me in my life. I am somewhat disorganized and, with twirling, I have to be focused and accurate in everything I do."
I was impressed. This is a young girl who also plays volleyball, soccer, and any other sport that she can get her hands on. She speaks French, Spanish, Mandarin and is learning Farsi. And she wants to be either a heart surgeon or pilot because she thinks she has good eye hand coordination!
Stephanie and her instructor Stacy (
who won the National title of Beginner Miss Majorette of America in 1986) are now seeing who can throw and catch the most batons in a row using two batons while standing in a four by four foot square in the middle of the gym. Meanwhile, I still lose the baton in the lights all the while thinking we really should move this practice outside, under the stars.
The YMCA Youth Leadership Council is fund raising for Stephanie's trip to Nebraska. Those interested in donating funds can do so by contributing to the Strong Kid's Campaign at the Schlessman YMCA. Parents interested in baton twirling or rhythm gymnastics for their sons or daughters can call Stacy Lochowicz at 303.756.3273.