Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
We are excited to celebrate this #TwirlerTuesday with our first Collegiate Twirler Spotlight of the season. If you were following us on Instagram (@twirlingiscatchingtx) this past Saturday, you got to see the awesome twirler from today’s spotlight as she got the chance to twirl on the field at the NRG Stadium for her very first Collegiate Game. It was so fun to join her throughout the day and see a dream finally come true.
Today’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is the University of Houston Feature Twirler!
The University of Houston is the home of the Spirit of Houston Marching Band and the 2021 UH Feature Twirler, Ainsley McDonald! Led by UH Twirling Coach Kayli Mickey-McIntosh, UH Twirlers historically are "an elite group of Baton Twirling Soloists who are integral contributors to the entertainment value of the Spirit of Houston Marching Band". This year, Ainsley is bringing her sparkling smile and pretty twirling style to the UH Community, and we could not be happier for her.
We wanted to know what brought Ainsley to UH, and she told us, “When I toured UH I was drawn to the major they offer for teachers called ‘Human development & Family Studies’, which is the focus of understanding the child as a whole. It appealed to my teaching philosophy. It is also one of the most diverse universities, so it is really hard to feel out of place.”
While Ainsley was selected as the UH Feature Twirler for the Fall of 2020, due to COVID, she was not able to do anything in that position, which made Saturday her first time taking the field with the Spirit of Houston Marching Band in the 18 months since being named to the position.
We asked her to tell us what it was like finally having her first game day experience, and she told us, “It was so fun and stressful at the same time. I like to know what is going to happen, and for many different reasons, I had no idea what we were doing until we were doing it. Even with all the uncertainty, College Football is definitely a lot of fun to be a part of.”
Now that we have learned more about her journey getting on the field, let’s learn more about Ainsley!
Ainsley is a Sophomore Human Development & Family Studies Major from Whitehouse, Texas. AT UH she is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She has been twirling for 9 years and is currently coached by Kayli Mickey-McIntosh. Her favorite competition trick is a three baton stack into a backhand box into a horizontal box, and her favorite field trick is catching in a floor roll. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by former twirler Kara Kuczkowski. After college she hopes to become a first grade teacher.
Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Cinderella Blue
Favorite Food – Mac & Cheese
Favorite TV Show – Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite Quote…
“I’m a great believer in luck. I find the harder I work, the more I have of it!” – Thomas Jefferson
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Hang out with my (AXO) big sister.”
Something people might not know about her is…
“I am an enneagram 6."
Most Memorable Advice from her Coach…
“Fake it till you make it.” – Jeri Coke
Favorite moment as a baton twirler…
“When I earned my first Division 1 Rating at Texas State UIL.”
Funniest moment as a baton twirler…
“I got my baton stuck on top of a tube that ran across the ceiling at twirling practice.”
#1 non-twirling life skill she has learned as a baton twirler…
“Perseverance gets you where you want to be.”
Advice to future Collegiate Twirlers…
“Just go where the bus takes you. Most of the time no one else knows what’s going on either.”
After experiencing one of the strangest Fall football seasons ever, and her being negatively affected by the changes it caused, we asked her what advice she has for other twirlers that might be facing future potential challenges? “My season last year was completely taken away. I didn't even get to attend band practices. This has helped me really apply the saying 'Let go and let God', because even through all of it, he was in control.”
We are glad Ainsley was able to stick it out, and it was wonderful seeing her on the field this past Saturday. Congrats to Ainsley on a great first game, and we wish her many more amazing performances on the field this season. Whose House? Coogs House!
Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many HS twirlers on Fridays throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights during the week. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days, and we may even have some special Live moments! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!
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