Monday, June 26, 2017

It is here!!! Miss Texas Week 2017

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

The week we have all been waiting for is finally here... the 2017 Miss Texas Week! Yay! We cannot wait to see the four baton twirlers representing our sport in such a major way. Activities began Saturday, June 24th, with the Contestant Arrival Parade, and will continue with the prelim events starting tomorrow, Tuesday, June 27th. It will all wrap up with the final event and the crowing of the new Miss Texas on Saturday, July 1st.

While we wait for the competition rounds to begin, there is still one more thing you can do to support these twirlers and help them secure a spot in the Top 12 (that means twirling in the finals!). Make sure to vote for your favorite twirler, or all four of them, for the People's Choice Award. All you have to do is visit and vote at http://www.misstexas.org/peoples-choice.html. Several of the twirlers have been holding steady in the Top 5... Can we get them to Top 2? Voting stays open until midnight, Thursday, June 29th. Anything helps!



To make sure we can all keep up with our four twirlers, we have outlined their prelim schedules below. Make sure to check in to the blog during Miss Texas week for updates on how these talented young women are doing in the competition. Good luck ladies! Texas supports you!

Tuesday, June 27th

  • Evening Gown & OSQ:
    • Aly Beaupre & Adaline Bebo
  • Talent Competition: 
    • Ashley Sneed
  • Lifestyle & Fitness:
    • Kimberly Ferguson
Wednesday, June 28th
  • Evening Gown & OSQ:
    • Ashley Sneed
  • Talent Competition:
    • Kimberly Ferguson
  • Lifestyle & Fitness:
    • Aly Beaupre & Adaline Bebo
Thursday, June 29th 
  • Evening Gown & OSQ:
    • Kimberly Ferguson
  • Talent Competition:
    • Aly Beaupre & Adaline Bebo
  • Lifestyle & Fitness:
    • Ashley Sneed


We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. 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? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it. 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

NBTA Texas State 2017... The Final Countdown!

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Its is now Friday, June 23rd, which means the 2017 NBTA Texas State Championships are officially TOMORROW! Wow! We know twirlers all over the State have been basically living in the gym, practicing with all their heart, and preparing their best for this weekend. We wish everyone the very best of luck and just remember, no matter what happens, smile and enjoy the celebration of our sport and our State coming together. Also, don't forget to hashtag your pictures on social media with #txstatetwirl2017!

To help everyone with their final packing and mental preparations, we have a special message from the amazing Contest Directors, Shirley Payne and Sheila Payne Rigelsky, with some last minute FYIs...


"Howdy!

We are looking forward to seeing you all this weekend at the 2017 Miss Majorette of Texas  & Texas State Championships. Here are just a few reminders:
  • You may pick up programs, shirts, tanks, shorts, and name signs at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Host Hotel from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm (1310 E. Wintergreen Road, DeSoto, Texas 75115
  • Get ready for a great concession stand hosted by the DeSoto High School Eagle Band. They will offer up traditional concession stand eats and treats, and then on Saturday they will have Chick-fil-a.  On Sunday you are in for a special treat...a little Texas cuisine of fresh grilled burgers, potato salad, baked beans and more.  Bring your appetite and your cash. :-)
  • Doors will open on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 am.  The contest will begin at 8:00 am both days.  
  • The contest is at the Desoto High School VARSITY gym. This is the same school, but NOT the same gym, that the February Dallas Twirling Festival was held in. That contest was held in the Freshman Campus Gym. Please make sure to locate the Varsity Gym to ensure you arrive in the right place.
Below please see the tentative schedule of events. Safe travels and we will see you Saturday!

All our best,
Sheila & Miss Shirley"


2017 Miss Majorette of Texas and Texas State Championships Schedule of Events:

Saturday, June 24, 2017

7:00am - Contest Facility Opens

8:00am - Miss Texas Model
               Miss Majorette Pageant Modeling and Interview
               Basic Skills Modeling
               Ratings
               Best Appearing
               Best Costume
               Miss Majorette Pageant and Basic Skills Strut and Solo
               Duets
               Group Events
               Show Twirl/Rhythmic Twirl/Collegiate Twirl/Downfield

Awards Ceremony for Groups/Show Twirl /Rhythmic Twirl/Collegiate Twirl and Downfield


Sunday, June 25, 2017

7:00am - Contest Facility Opens

8:00am - Presentation / Basic Strut / Military
               Ratings
               Open Fancy Struts
               Advanced Fancy Strut Finals
               Open Solos
               Advanced Solo Finals
               Solos / Two Baton / Three Baton

Awards Presentation for State Solos, State X-Struts, and State Pageants

This schedule is TENTATIVE.  It is not a guarantee timetable.  The contest will not stop if ahead of schedule.  Contestants are responsible for being ready to compete at such time as their event is begun.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Miss Texas 2017: Meet the Twirlers - Miss Central Texas

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

June is getting exciting! The NBTA Texas State list is out, we are all in the final week of practice, twirlers are beginning to pack for the South Texas Camp of Champions, and we are also only 11 days from the start of Miss Texas week! So many amazing twirling moments to come over the next two weeks all being topped off with the Miss Texas finals on July 1st. Make sure to follow the blog for updates on State, pictures, postings, and so much more from all of these great events

In order to make sure the four Texas twirlers competing get the proper level of support from the twirling community, each week leading up to the Miss Texas pageant (June 27th to July 1st) we will be doing an interview with each of the four baton twirlers that will be competing. We want to come together and unite to celebrate and support these four young women as they represent our community and show Texas what twirlers can do!

 This week's Miss Texas twirling representative is the 2017 Miss Central Texas, Ashley Sneed!


Ashley is 18 years old from San Antonio, Texas where she is a sophomore majoring in fashion merchandising and business at the University Incarnate Word. Ashley was also recently named the UIW Feature Twirler for Fall 2017. You may know Ashley from both NBTA and USTA where she holds titles in both organizations. Ashley is coached in NBTA by Tori Mays of the Texas Gems, and in USTA by Lynn Dell Harrell.

Now lets learn a little more about Ashley and how the MAO has helped her launch and support a non-profit close to her heart while also furthering the skills she learned as a baton twirler...

PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING IS OPEN! Help support our Texas Twirlers in their mission to get baton twirling to the Miss Texas stage! Top 2 highest "votes" get a guaranteed spot to perform in the finals. Check out the People's Choice voting site to donate. Our twirlers have been doing awesome with at least two steadily holding in the Top 5, but we have to get them to Top 2! You can still vote up until Midnight on June 29th, and then there there is nothing else we can do to help guarantee a twirler makes it in to the finals. Anything helps!!! Support our twirlers at Miss Texas!

Miss Texas Platform: L.I.G.H.T. Love is the Guide to Heal from Tragedy.

Experiencing the loss of my father at early age motivated me to want to create my non-profit L.I.G.H.T. L.I.G.H.T provides peer support to teens and children facing loss of any type. L.I.G.H.T volunteers range in age from 15 to 21 who are survivors of tragedy. As the founder of Light2hope.org, I believe peer-to-peer assistance and support during grief can provide a gateway to healing and love.

Life Motto: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" - Audrey Hepburn

Favorite Twirling Titles: 2016-2013, UIL Regional and State Division 1 Rating for Twirling, 2017 Miss Texas Model, 2016 USTA Strut Champion, 2016 NBTA Miss Majorette of Texas 1st Runner up, 2011 NBTA Miss Majorette of the Southwest, 2010 NBTA Miss Majorette of Texas, 2011 NBTA Miss Majorette of the US Virgin Islands, 2016-2013 East Central High School Feature Twirler

Favorite Twirling Experience: I have been able to create life long memories with so many wonderful friends I have made over the years of competing. Having been to AYOP 10 years, I cherish the friendships I have made with twirlers from all over the nation.

What made you pursue competing in the MAO? 
At the age of eleven, I watched Caroline Carothers (the current Miss Texas) win 2011 Miss San Antonio’s Outstanding Teen. After watching the pageant, I knew that I wanted to compete in the MAO.


How would you say Baton Twirling has helped you in your MAO journey? 
Let’s just say a lot! Considering that Baton Twirling has pageantry within the sport makes it so much easier. We are experienced at interview, modeling, talent, and great showmanship. Baton Twirlers are seasoned competitors, so we know how to manage our nerves and have fun throughout pageant week. It’s almost as if the MAO was made for twirlers.

Why did you select your platform? What made it special to you?
 I selected my platform because I lost my dad to a car accident at the age of two. What makes my platform special to me is the fact that it’s something that happened in my life that I still hold very deeply and personally. It has helped shape me into the woman I am today. I can share my message and really connect with other children and teens who have experienced tragedy just like I did.

What has been the most rewarding moment as Miss Central Texas? 
 I love having the opportunity to be a great role model to young girls. It’s so rewarding to give advice and share your experiences with girls who are going through the same thing you did when you were their age. Watching them listen to your story and take your advice is very gratifying.


What has been the hardest part about competing in the MAO pageants?
I’m going to be completely honest here - swimsuit! It’s not normal for a girl to walk around a big stage in a bikini and heels as if no one is watching. I have to admit that I have gained confidence and learned how to focus on health and fitness as a result.

What advice would you have for other twirlers thinking about going the pageant route?
Don’t be afraid to try new things! I know I was a bit nervous when I signed up for my first pageant but I didn’t let that stop me. If you really are interested just ask any of the great titleholders about what the organization is about and what you must do to get prepared to compete. Always having someone else’s perspective can help you decide if MAO is the right opportunity for you.

What is one of your favorite parts about the Miss Texas pageant week? 
It’s always so much fun to get to interact with the precious Lone Star Princesses. The Miss Texas Organization gives girls from the ages of the 5 to 12 the opportunity to learn about the MAO, have a mentor who is a titleholder, and even get to be part of the Miss Texas production. I’m thrilled that my Lone Star Princess for the second year in a row is Jenna Bowen, a fellow twirler who is a member of the Texas Touch of Class.

It has been so wonderful getting to know the four fabulous ladies representing twirling at Miss Texas. We want to thank Ashley for taking a moment to answer our questions and fill us in on her journey. We wish you the best of luck! We know you will do amazing.

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. 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? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Camp Calendar Series: South Texas Camp of Champions

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

In only two weeks, Twirlers from all over Texas will be in the Dallas area for the NBTA Texas State Championships. So exciting! This event will be the last step on the way to Nationals for many twirlers, and for others it will be the grand finale to their season.

Regardless of which category you fall in, or even if you aren't attending the State Championships, everyone is beginning to think about what their next move will be once State is over. Will you be going full speed forward training for AYOP? Will you begin learning new routines for the Fall? Or do you just want to take some of your skills to the next level? No matter which option might be the right one for you, this is where the South Texas Camp of Champions comes in!


*STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS!* While they are still accepting registrations, the deadline is quick approaching, so the sooner you can register the better! Interested in attending STCC? Please visit www.southtexascampofchampions.com or contact Pat Montgomery by phone at (210) 393-3551 or via email at southtexascampofchamps@yahoo.com.

Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Who: Directors Pat Montgomery, Major Margaret Mann, and Nancy Eisenhauer
What: 2017 South Texas Camp of Champions
Where: Thomas Jefferson High School Gym - 723 Donaldson Ave, San Antonio, TX 78201
When: June 27th to June 30th - 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (half day on the 30th)


Why: The South Texas Camp of Champions is a 4 day baton twirling camp held in San Antonio each summer. This camp has been around for many years and has been a great tool for Texas twirlers. This camp brings in big name local and out of State instructors to teach everything from introductory level to advanced tricks. Every twirler will leave camp with an arsenal of new or improved skills.

Highlighted Program: STCC is very well known for its AYOP Readiness Program. Working with amazing and National title holding instructors, those attending NBTA Nationals will participate in an intensive training program built to increase endurance, improve consistency, and prepare twirlers to represent on the National level.

Amazing Instructors: One thing you can always count on at STCC is amazing instructors! This year will be no different as they are bringing back several popular instructors including:

*Internationally Renowned Coach, Kathy Forsythe
*Former Washington Feature Twirler and World Medalist, Catherine Watters
*Former Purdue Golden Girl and Top 15 at Miss America, Merribeth Cox Carlson
*National & World Champion, Arkansas Feature Twirler Savannah Miller
*Former National Rhythmic Champion and team specialist, Courtney Patterson White
*National Champion Coach and US Trial Judge, Sheri Carter
*National Champion Coach and well respected NBTA Judge, Patti Mickey
*Former State and National Champion,  Melinda Mann White
*Team USA Member and UTSA Feature Twirler, Michael Lopez


Not only will these instructors be leading classes and prep sessions, but they are all available for private lessons as well! Make sure to include any private lessons requests with your registration!

Camp Logistics: Camp will occur June 27th to 30th from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. There is also a half day option (8:30 am to Noon or 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm). Cost is $290 for full day or $160 for half day. The full day camp includes a healthy lunch each day at Noon. The cost of camp also includes a t-shirt for twirlers to wear on the Friday of camp for the parent show-off performance at 11:15 am.

Each day of camp, twirlers will arrive in athletic/practice appropriate clothes and start the day with a group warm-up. They then will divide into hour long sessions rotating each hour to a new class. Lunch is served at Noon, and the day ends at 4:00 pm. Twirlers should bring with them their baton(s), twirling shoes, water, snacks, and a willingness to learn and try new things.

While many of the out of town twirlers stay in hotels with their parents, there is also the option to stay with a host family if a hotel will not work for your schedule. Please contact the directors to set up a host family for your twirler. This is a great way to meet a new twirl family and cut down on costs.

Don't forget the super fun theme days!
*Tuesday = Wacky Sock Day
*Wednesday = Wacky Hair Day
*Thursday = Wacky/Favorite Shirt Day
*Friday = Wear camp shirt and dark shorts

Unique Feature: This year they will be offering a music and video cutting/compilation class for parents that are interested in learning. This is a great added benefit and anyone wanting to see how this works or improve their abilities should participate.

If this sounds like an amazing opportunity, which it is, and you want to enroll your twirler, please visit www.southtexascampofchampions.com. Any questions? Contact Pat Montgomery at (210)393-3551 or southtexascampofchamps@yahoo.com. We hope to see you there!


We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. 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? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it. 

Monday, June 5, 2017

Miss Texas 2017: Meet the Twirlers - Miss Fort Worth

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

We are now only three weeks away from the beginning of the Miss Texas week, and only 26 days until the crowning of the 2017 Miss Texas! Even though she will be passing on her tiara, we will never forget Caroline Carothers for being an amazing example of how twirlers can successfully continue into the pageant world and make a difference, and we all hope to see her legacy continue with another baton twirler holding the title!

In order to make sure the four Texas twirlers competing get the proper level of support from the twirling community, each week leading up to the Miss Texas pageant (June 27th to July 1st) we will be doing an interview with each of the four baton twirlers that will be competing. We want to come together and unite to celebrate and support these four young women as they represent our community and show Texas what twirlers can do!

This week's Miss Texas twirling representative is the 2017 Miss Fort Worth, Adaline Bebo!


Adaline is 20 years old from Carmel, Indiana. While Adaline was not born in Texas, as they say, she got here as soon as she could by attending Baylor University where she is the Golden Girl Feature Twirler Captain and studying Neuroscience on the Pre-Law track. Most everyone in the twirling community should recognize Adaline's name for many reasons. Not only was she crucial in the organization of the super fun World Baton Twirling Day back in April, but she has also been on the USA World Team representing NBTA and USTA, as well as holding MANY National titles in both organizations. Adaline is coached in baton twirling by Jackie Stweart and Cherly Wimberley.

Now, lets learn a little more about Adaline and how her move from the competition floor to the competition stage has helped her realize her dreams of helping others and raising awareness for both our sport and her platform/charity...

PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING IS OPEN! Help support our Texas Twirlers in their mission to get baton twirling to the Miss Texas stage! Top 2 highest "votes" get a guaranteed spot to perform in the finals. Check out the People's Choice voting site to donate. We did have three twirlers in the top six spots last week, but they are beginning to slip. We do still have Aly & Adaline in the Top 5 though! Who wants to see these ladies perform live at the Miss Texas Finals? If you do, click on the link and support our twirlers!

Miss Texas Platform: Food For Thought - Advocating for Neurological Health through Nutrition, Activity, and Attitude.

Charity: No Kid Hungry - “Share Our Strength” Campaign

Life Motto: "If passion is the input, then success will become the output."

Favorite Twirling Titles: 2014 NBTA Senior Strut Champion, 2015 Grand National Dance Twirl Champion, 2016 Grand National Strut Champion, & Member of Team USA.

Favorite Twirling Experience: Traveling the world and meeting so many incredible athletes that share the language of baton twirling is the greatest blessing that twirling has given me! I also really enjoy the creative process and cooperation that goes into choreographing routines with my coaches!

What made you pursue competing in the MAO?
Throughout high school, I was very active in community service and active fundraising/grant-writing for many of the initiatives I am passionate about. In college, my schedule was quickly packed with balancing twirling and classes, and I found that it was difficult to find opportunities to volunteer when not involved in Greek life. I was looking for an outlet to put forth all of the hours I had dedicated to twirling while serving my community and supporting my academic goals - the Miss America Organization fit the bill!


How would you say Baton Twirling has helped you in your MAO journey?
Twirling has always actively refined my organizational and time-management skills, but the ability to adapt to any situation, build physical and mental resilience, and put in the dedication necessary to reach my goals, has been the greatest asset to my journey (not only in MAO, but in anything!).

Why did you select your platform? What made it special to you?
My brother was diagnosed at an early age with speech apraxia and both of my grandparents’ lives were taken by rare neurological diseases. This adversity led me to challenge myself as a neuroscience major and aspire to make the importance of brain health more accessible to everyone regardless of economic opportunity.

Adequate nutrition is a vital part to educational success and the best chance at prolonged brain health begins in childhood. My personal charity is the No Kid Hungry “Share Our Strength” campaign, which provides programs to children across the country who are food insecure. My goal is to educate on the ways in which everyone can contribute to achieving a nation in which every child has the opportunity for academic success on a full-stomach.

My motto for approaching this has been “prevention and attention": Preventative measures can be taken by understanding what foods support healthy neurological function, signs of brain disease, and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle. The second part of my initiative addresses attention to those already suffering from brain-related ailments by providing accessibility to the resources they need, and funding research for new cures.

What has been the most rewarding moment as Miss Fort Worth?
I have a very special place in my heart for those with disabilities and special needs. My two favorite experiences up to this point would be volunteering at special needs pageants, and being “celebrity quarterback” for the No Limitations Athletics Super Bowl. Building real relationships, forged through love and inclusion, has given me renewed goals to pursue acceptance for these children and fundraising for an “adaptive” playground that would be accessible to all! Getting to work alongside such incredibly strong and beautiful souls has been beyond meaningful and changed my life forever.


What has been the hardest part about competing in the MAO pageants?
Besides the large amount of paperwork…. The Miss America Organization has a strong partnership with Children’s Miracle Network, and titleholders serve as Goodwill Ambassadors and fundraisers for the amazing deeds CMN accomplishes for families across the country. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to go into hospitals and interact with such courageous and strong children. Although the interactions I have with these children leave me with a heavy heart at times, the powerful memories drive my motivation for continuing to fund raise for this extremely worthy cause.

What advice would you have for other twirlers thinking about going the pageant route?
Clarifying your desire to compete and recognizing the time commitment is definitely necessary in order to be a successful titleholder! I believe that participating in the Miss America Organization is an amazing way to carry forward your dedication for twirling into something bigger than our sport! Competitive twirling has been my greatest preparation for competing in pageants! I was terribly nervous before competing in my first pageant, but I quickly realized how well the experiences and knowledge gained throughout my twirling career had prepared me for when I was crowned Miss Fort Worth!

Would you recommend involvement in the MAO to other twirlers?
I would strongly encourage girls at any age to participate in the opportunities given by the Miss America Organization. Being a titleholder has been the greatest blessing: providing me with another family of people supporting my goals, connecting me with people of all walks of life, and allowing me to integrate my various passions in a way that gives me an opportunity to gain scholarship money to reach my academic aspirations. The Miss America Organization was recently named the largest scholarship provider in the world.

For girls younger than 13 that wish to experience the fun of Miss Texas, I invite you to look into the Lone Star Princess program! You will be matched with a titleholder as a mentor, get to go on select appearances with them, and be involved with the excitement of Miss Texas Pageant week! Details can also be found on my website, adalinebebo.com, or on MissTexas.org!

Thank you so much to Adaline for taking time to answer our questions. We are so thankful for your move to Texas, your involvement in twirling, and we are excited to see you representing us on the Miss Texas stage! #TeamTexas supports you! Good Luck!


We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. 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? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it. 

Thursday, June 1, 2017

2017 NBTA Southwest Regional Championship Follow Up

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Now that we are finally into June, as we get a quick break between Fall Feature Twirler announcements and the upcoming Miss Texas updates, it is time to take a look back at the 2017 Southwest Regional Championship that was held in Canyon, TX in April.

A HUGE Congrats and Thank You to Contest Directors Gretta Johnson, Shelia Pierce, Brittany Ashcraft, & Summer Johnson. The contest went beautifully and the trophies were awesome. Special shout out for the adorable Basic Skills Pageant scepters. So fun!

As of today, we are only 21 days away from the 2017 Texas State Championships, and per tradition, the State Directors will be inviting the Regional Pageant winners to serve as hostesses for the Pageant portion of the Saturday, June 24th State events. This is always such a fun honor and a special way to recognize all our our new Southwest Regional Pageant Winners. Congrats ladies! We cannot wait to see everyone at State!


College Miss Majorette of the Southwest -  Alex Bridges
Senior Miss Majorette of the Southwest -  Rachel Hutchinson
Junior Miss Majorette of the Southwest - Cayla Watson


Pre-Teen Miss Majorette of the Southwest - Amber Sorenson 
Juvenile Miss Majorette of the Southwest - Analeia Aleman
Tiny Tot Intermediate SW Regional Pageant Winner - Alexis Archer 
Juvenile Intermediate SW Regional Pageant Winner - Katherine Heier


Pre-Teen Intermediate SW Regional Pageant Winner - Lilly Barnett 
Junior Intermediate SW Regional Pageant Winner - Chailie Alsaffar
Senior Intermediate SW Regional Pageant Winner -  Amanda Jantz


Senior Beginner SW Regional Pageant Winner - Kaylee Williams
Junior Beginner SW Regional Pageant Winner - K.K. Tunnell
Pre-Teen Beginner SW Regional Pageant Winner - Brylee Jesko 


Juvenile Beginner SW Regional Pageant Winner - Brooklyn Maxwell
Tiny Tot Beginner SW Regional Pageant Winner - Skylar Grant
Senior SW Regional Basic Skills Pageant Winner - Macy Allen


Junior SW Regional Basic Skills Pageant Winner - Madeline Chapa
Pre-Teen SW Regional Basic Skills Pageant Winner - Esther Wilson


Juvenile SW Regional Basic Skills Pageant Winner - Izzy Pell
Tiny Tot SW Regional Basic Skills Pageant Winner - Hailey Wood 

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. 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? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it.