This week we are going to bring the series full circle. If you remember, we started by talking to the three Feature Twirlers at The Woodlands High School. Today, we are back in The Woodlands meeting the four lovely ladies of The Woodlands College Park High School – Allie Pellerito, Alexia Monsivais, Emma Newsoroff, and Madison Frantzen.
Anyone who twirls NBTA in Texas has to be familiar with The Woodlands College Park gym, and who doesn’t have a picture from the Twirl in the Woods contest in front of the big “Cavaliers” logo. This is thanks to the Coach of the four WCP Twirlers, and contest director, Patti Mickey.
In order to become a Feature Twirler for the Cavalier Band, the twirlers must perform a solo in which they demonstrate their skills in 1, 2, and 3 batons in front of the school’s band directors. Then, after discussion, they post the next year’s featured twirling positions.
These twirlers get to have amazing times together while sporting Navy, Silver, and Green. They say that their favorite moment twirling on the field is when they all get to perform the same routine, which includes their school song and fight song. They also love being a part of the band traditions, especially singing the school song together and when everyone cheers a chant in which they say “AWWWWWW CP!”
This year has been an especially exciting year to be a twirler for The Woodlands College Park Band. For the first time in school history, the marching band qualified to compete at the 6A UIL State Marching Band Competition. Way to go Cav Band!!!
Let’s take a moment to get to meet each of these ladies and learn a little about their twirling story…
Allie has been twirling for 12 years with Coaches Patti & Kayli Mickey. The twirling honor she is the most proud of earning is being named the UIL State Outstanding Performer. Allie’s favorite competition trick is her rolls, and her favorite field trick is her back neck roll. She considers the most memorable moment of twirling to be when she performed at the Halloween pep rally. “It was the first time the students had seen anyone twirl knives and their reactions were priceless!” In baton twirling, Allie has been most inspired by Mississippi State University Feature Twirler, Mary Michael Bellin. After high school, Allie plans to attend college and earn a degree in Professional Meteorology.
Alexia has been twirling for 5 years with Coach Patti Mickey. Her favorite field trick is a front walkover. She says “I just learned it, but I’m going to get it soon!” In baton twirling, Alexia has been most inspired by current Miss Texas, Caroline Carothers. Alexia loves being a feature twirler. “During halftime, when the crowd sees you doing all these cool tricks it amazes them and really gets them into it!” After high school, Alexia plans to go into nursing. She says “I love helping others”.
Emma has been twirling for five years with Coach Patti Mickey. The twirling titles she is the most proud of earning are the Texas State Junior Strut Champion, and the South Texas Championships Fiesta Cup Winner. Her favorite competition trick is her elbow pops or rolls, and her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel catch in a one handed cartwheel. In baton twirling, Emma has been most inspired by former SMU “Doll” (Feature Twirler), Kayli Mickey, “due to her unwavering dedication to the sport, great sportsmanship, and astonishing achievements”. After high school she hopes to be a collegiate twirler and plans on majoring in anything psychology or business industry related.
Madison had been twirling for four years with Coach Patti Mickey. The twirling title she is the most proud of earning is the Texas State Novice Champion. She says winning this title was her favorite twirling moment and that “my dad was cheering for me!” Her favorite twirling trick is 3 baton jugging. In baton twirling, Madison has been most inspired by the 2016 Junior Miss Majorette of the Southwest, Rachel Hutchinson. After high school, Madison hopes to become the TCU Feature Twirler.
Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Coral (Madison), Blue (Allie)
Favorite Music – Christian (Madison), “I have very eclectic taste!” (Allie)
Favorite Movie – “Unbroken (Madison), “Chronicles of Narnia” (Allie). “The Conjuring 2 – I love horror movies!” (Alexia)
When they are not twirling, they love to…
Madison – go swimming and spend time with friends
Allie – practice make-up techniques
Alexia – hang out with friends or relax at home
Something you may not know about them is…
Madison – “I played the trombone in my junior high band”
Allie – “I don’t like when food on my plates touches each other”
Favorite Quote...
Madison – “Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle”
Allie – “Hearts on fire, minds on ice”
Alexia – “You are capable of doing more than what you know”
Emma – “You can never be overdressed or over educated” (“not only because I love to get dressed up and look nice, but mainly because I thoroughly enjoy school and learning new things everyday”)
Most Memorable Advice from their Coach...
Madison – “Always smile! Even if you drop, just keep on smiling”
Allie – “Pretty feet!”
Alexia – “Always batons over boys”
The Cavalier twirlers feel that twirling has given them many skills outside of just baton work. Madison and Allie are both fans of what they have learned from doing interviews in competition. Madison says through interview “I learned how to speak to others in a professional way”. Allie agrees and mentions how the interview really helps with social skills. “Learning how to interview is a very important part of social skills and I would not have been as prepared going into college with this skill had I not been a competitive twirler”. Emma also mentions how twirling has taught her “how to mentally cope with stress”.
They also have some great advice to pass on to future twirlers including remembering to enjoy the small moments along with the big ones, to be bold and not be afraid, and of course, to work really hard and not give up. Emma adds “Most importantly, have fun while doing it!”
With each girl being in a different level in school, they are all over the spectrum of experience, but they all agree that being Features together is something they will greatly miss about high school. Madison says she will most miss “dancing with all my friends in the stands during football games”. Emma mentions that being around the band members has created an environment that has made her appreciate the people around her. Allie says she will most miss performing, especially for the student section. All the schools they perform for have really embraced the twirlers. “They are so appreciate of our sport!”
Thank you to the four Cavalier Twirlers, and all of the High School and Collegiate twirlers that have contributed to our Friday Night Lights and Collegiate Twirler Spotlight interviews. It has been wonderful getting to learn more about everyone, and we wish every an excellent competition season!!!
(The Woodlands College Park Twirlers with The Woodlands Twirlers at the War of the Woods game)
*Special photo credit for almost all the pictures in this post goes to Edward Obias
We hope you have enjoyed the final edition for the season of our Friday Night Lights series. While we are no longer taking nominations for this segment, we are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Please contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com, and we would love to hear more about it!
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