Friday Night Lights Feature - Joaquin High School Feature Twirler

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Another great Friday night is in the books! We love seeing those sparkling costumes and bright smiles on the fields all over Texas. I don't think that feeling will ever get old. It was great to see all the sparkles in this week's Instastory Takeover, and now we look forward to learning more about the Feature Twirler that shared her Game Day experience with us. 

This week’s Friday Night Lights Feature is the Joaquin High School Feature Twirler!

Joaquin High School, located in Joaquin, Texas, is the home of the Rams, and this week’s Friday Night Lights Feature – Avery Prnka! We asked Avery how she was named Feature Twirler… the first at JHS in 17 years! “We first have a teacher evaluation, interview with the panel of judges, then perform our routine.”

Marching season has become a favorite time of year for Avery, and as a senior, this is her last one with the Ram community. We wanted to know what her favorite part of marching season was, and she told us it is, “getting to showcase my drill every Friday night to a different crowd because there’s always someone new in the stands.”

We also asked what she will miss the most about being the Joaquin Feature Twirler when she graduates, and of course it was the supportive community. “I will definitely miss the feeling I get when I’m about to take the field and the crowds excitement.” 

Now that we have learned a little more about how she became the Feature, lets learn about Avery!

Avery Prnka, Senior
Competition Level: Intermediate
Avery has been twirling for 8 years as a member of the Heart of Texas Twirlers and coached by Beth Maddox. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was SWTA Outstanding Performer, and her favorite field trick is a toss illusion. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by Caroline Carothers. After High School she plans to start the process to get her Real Estate License and then attend a school to get her Dental Hygienist degree.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite Music – Facing the Giants
Favorite Book – “Everything Always”
Favorite Quote - Philippians 1:6

Life Motto…
“Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of God.”

When she is not twirling she loves to…
“Spend time with my friends and family!”

Something people might not know about her is...
“I am obsessed with Disney World!!”

#1 non-twirling life skill she has learned from baton twirling…
“To persevere through anything you face, and to be your best no matter the circumstances.”

Most memorable advice from her coach…
“No matter the drops, the mistakes, or anything you face, that doesn’t define you, and if you aren’t having fun, nothing else matters.”

Advice to future twirlers…
“Stay focused and grounded in your ability to know you can do things. Don’t skip a day in the gym, but make practice fun and truly enjoy the talent you have!”

Favorite moment as a baton twirler…
“I would say my favorite moment as a baton twirler was the first night taking the field as the first feature twirler in 17 years at my school!”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Before my stadium got turf we had to twirl on a muddy field, and we would do our best not to slip.”
 
Best School Tradition…
“Homecoming! Our school has a parade, and we have a big homecoming court ceremony during pregame.”

Best Band Inside Joke…
“When I walk into the Band Hall or when we are about to start the drill at practice the whole band will look at me and say, ‘Is that Avery?’”
 
We experienced a very unprecedented year last year. We asked Avery how she stayed motivated for this year, and she told us she just kept going despite the circumstance. “I never stopped twirling and went to practice still. That’s where perseverance and hard work came in.” 

With all of the challenges the last year brought, we wanted to know what she learned from her experiences. “I learned that no matter what’s going on you can’t forget you’re capable of many things. I also learned to cherish every moment and performance, because you never know when something might happen, and it could be your last.”

This year has already been a banner year for Avery as she was nominated as the Homecoming Queen, and is getting to do many things she wasn’t able to do last year. “Covid affected last year by not allowing our band/twirlers to attend and perform at our of town games. This year we are completely back to normal and ready to cheer on our Rams! I’m so excited about having a full stadium and audience to perform for!”

We want to thank Avery for sharing her Game Day with us, and we wish her an amazing year. Go Rams!

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 HS and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!