We are in the final week of November. So much is going on! Competition season is underway with one competition down and another next week, plus Football Play-Offs are off and running. Who will be performing in Dallas next month? We can’t wait to see some twirlers on that Jumbotron!
This week is also the final week of our Fall Interviews. We will be wrapping things up with two Collegiate Twirler Spotlights, one today and one later this week, to meet two more wonderful Texas Twirlers that have spent the last several months representing their Universities with pride.
Today, we are visiting the State to the east of us to meet a Texas girl that chose to go out of the state for her collegiate experience, and is loving it! Our Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is with the new Louisiana Tech University Feature Twirler, Macy Allen!
Macy had a different introduction to twirling than most twirlers, as she only started twirling three years ago. With the help of her coaches she quickly learned the skills needed to be a High School twirler, and was so excited to be named the first Louisiana Tech University Feature Twirler in over 10 years, a position that she gets to hold until she graduates. This has meant a lot to her and she wants to reach the next generation through her performances. “I hope to inspire other high school twirlers to twirl in college as well!”
When it came time to choose a college, Macy made the tough decision to go out of Texas. “I wanted to go to a school that was open to having twirlers and also had an exceptional pre-med program,” a combination she found at Louisiana Tech. She would advise any twirler making their decision on what college to attend to think about the big picture. “The College you choose will likely be your home for the next four years, so make sure that you love the school as much as you love to twirl during halftime!”
Being away from family is never easy, but Macy has a great support system that has made sure she feels the love all the way in Louisiana. “Being four hours away from my family has been the hardest part about leaving my home state, but fortunately I have a very supportive family that comes to all of the football games.”
Now that we have learned a little about what brought Macy to Louisiana Tech, let’s learn a little more about Macy and her twirling experiences!
Competition Level: Beginner
Macy is a Freshman Biology Pre-Med Major that is also pursuing a Chemistry minor. She is from Rockwall, TX, where she twirled for the last three years as a member of the Texas Touch of Class coached by Shirley Payne and Sheila Payne Rigelsky. The competition titles she is the most proud of was when she won the 2018 Beginner Senior Solo & X-Strut events. Her favorite competition trick is a one spin illusion and her favorite field trick is a toss, grand jete, front roll, and catch in the splits. At school she is a member of the LA Tech Honors program and after college hopes to attend medical school as well as do some traveling.
Fun Facts!
Favorite Music – Christmas Music!
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite TV Series – Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite Quote – “You will never regrets doing the things you love!”
Twirler she has been most inspired by – Karissa Wimberley
When she is not twirling she loves to… “Play the piano”.
Something you might not know about her is… “I know 58 digits of pi”.
As a member of the Louisiana Tech Marching Band, Macy enjoys being a part of the school traditions. Her favorite tradition is one she won’t experience for a few years. “After graduation we get a brick put on the sidewalk of campus with our graduation date, so that we will always be part of Tech.” How cool is that?
Macy also really enjoys the game day experience that comes with the Louisiana Tech community. She considers the best band tradition to be the “Walk of Pride” before every home game, and names her first time performing at the Joe Aillet stadium as her favorite moment ever as a baton twirler!
Being a freshman, this is Macy’s first season with the Louisiana Tech Band, and it has been a great learning experience. She is very thankful for the advice and training she received from her coaches, but says the most important tip was “take off your jacket and get use to the weather before halftime”. Very valid! Practicing like you perform is always great advice.
Through baton twirling, Macy has gained many skills, but says she is most thankful for the communication abilities she has learned through baton twirling. “Since I started twirling at Tech, there are a bunch of people that want to talk to me and hear about my twirling experiences”. She appreciates that she can hold up her end of these conversations and represent her university and sport with poise and grace.
The poise and grace also helped her with her with a funny moment she experienced this season. “A player from the other team asked to take a picture with me!” Well of course they did Macy! Who wouldn’t want a picture with such a talented young lady!
Finally we asked Macy what suggestion she has for other twirlers that may one day be a Collegiate Feature… “Have someone record you while you’re on the field. That way you can see what need to be added to your routine and what looks the best on you!”
We want to send a huge congrats to Macy on an amazing first season with the Bulldogs, and say thank you for being one of our Collegiate Twirler Spotlight’s this season. We wish her luck with future seasons and we can’t wait to follow her as she continues to represent LA Tech!
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.
