It’s an evening on the eve of Christmas Day. A marching progression of beautiful little girls comes humming Christmas Carols. On the forefront, is your spirited 10 year old daughter leading a group of other young girls in the parade. Dressed in a red Bristol novelty red tiara on her head, a red twirling baton bag case on her shoulder and white in-steps which bear red tassels, she leads the twirling parade down the leafy suburbs of your neighborhood. She was feeling a little bit angst in the beginning, but got used to it, and the audience pretty fast.
In uniform body movements of swings, loops, slides and amazing body alignments along with various twirling techniques, they hum Silent Night.
Your cheerful and smiling daughter is engrossed in maneuvering her baton, intermittently alternating between thumb toss and figure 8 while all along ensuring a smooth flow of the groups’ movements. When the group nears the point you are viewing the parade from, your daughter leads the group to accentuate some awesome baton passes and rhythmic taffy-pulls with step-ball-changes & hitch-kicks with some unique head movements.
The beautiful combination of the body movements and the amazing baton twirling completely steals your heart. You busy yourself taking photos and tweeting them. You feel so proud. You also fantasize how great it would be for her to feature in the World Baton Twirling Federation. Deep down you know that this is your best Christmas ever.
This is an ultimate fan site for honoring special girls and ladies who deserve plenty of love, respect, admiration, and honor. We need to appreciate our daughters and sisters for strutting and twirling their way through this popular culture and deep into our hearts for decades. On the site, you’ll learn more about these special ladies, and it’s here where your admiration for these daring and charming girls begin.
This site was initially established in 2002 and operated through to late 2010 to honor and show love to girls and ladies who make us proud and happy as they lead parade in ceremonies and other events.
This site now has better content and images to help visitor get in-depth knowledge and understanding of baton twirling. On the site, you will learn more about the sport of baton twirling athletes, twirling teams, corps, troupes, squads, coaches, competitions and to obtain recognition for twirling. You will also benefit by learning about baton twirling organizations, associations and federations around the world.
Becoming a Majorette
When I look through my older pictures taken a few years back, I often have to look multiple times before I can realize that it was me. Back then, I was healthy and had trouble with social interactions and day to day lives. I was often warned by my physicians to cut down on my daily carbohydrate and fat consumption but I remained skeptical and seldom gave it serious thought.
Then one bright, sunny day (for me it will always be sunny!) I met an old, high school acquaintance at a friend’s birthday. After some lengthy high school gossips, she happened to invite me for a rehearsal before their performance for a fundraiser event.
I recall that then I had no interests in dancing or hoopla since, I never imagined moving with such dexterity at the presence of an overwhelming audience. However, I went along just the same and I discovered that I have a hidden liking for the art after all. I was so impressed by the act that I started chatting with my friend up and getting more information about joining their group.
The beginning was very painful! Looking at the Big Macs serving over the counter at McDonald’s whilst I had to consume meatless salad was hard to accept initially. However, my newfound appreciation for dancing kept me on track and in about six months of strict diet and exercise involving majorette moves, I was able to significantly cut down on my weight. I was proud when the looking down at the weighing machine I noted I lost about 15 kilograms in six months.
Tasting the sweetness of early victory, I kept working on my moves and diet whilst anxiously waiting for the day to be called for practicing for a public event. My moves were becoming for well timed, elegant and I was becoming a happier person every day. Then the opportune moment came knocking and I was selected to perform with the house band at a breast cancer fundraising event. I must say I was in full support of the cause. I lost a beloved aunt to breast cancer not so long before that. I became more fervent with my training with the weeks approaching the performance and I could not wait to display my skills before a broader audience.
At the event I was fabulous (by my own account!). I performed a sequence of baton twirling in rhythmic progressions with my band, took the lead in a Bollywood inspired move sequence and ended with an Irish traditional dance in honor of our benevolent sponsor. During my few years as majorette, I have learned quite a lot about life, perspectives and of course, what songs and moves I love when I am on the floor.
I learned that life is so much like dancing, involving the ups and downs, each phases having a distinct purpose and the result of previous actions. I learned to take life more seriously, brought out my inner passion for dancing to every aspect guiding my life decisions. I learned to care about family and friends. I learned that just like a group performance, some members may not always participate in the manner they should but, that has an underlying reason and like dancing, it can be improvised instantaneously to create something new (if not very graceful at times!). Finally, to favorite moves and songs.
As part of a daily routine, I wake up early and practice with the baton around my body, balancing it at various pace, keeping in touch with varying progressions. At dinners I often try to persuade my partner to tango with me, which leaves him blushing every single time. I love dancing to 70’s disco music and tap with Spanish gypsy ensembles. I find myself at nights, hugging my pillow, shedding happy tears as Richard Gere takes Jennifer Lopez’s hand and dance in the competition (talking about “Shall We Dance”).
I believe becoming a majorette has opened up newer dimensions for me to reach. I am more confident and expressive of my feelings now, I can empathize with friends better and I am always looking forward to take part in fund raising events addressing women’s health and safety issues. I am, as a person, have adopted a holistic view of life and this was greatly in length contributed by my efforts as majorette. So, do not hide that dancer within you; just find the right beat and move to tango on!
