Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
College
Football is back in our lives, and we could not be more excited for the amazing
college twirling that will be happening this season! We are excited to continue
featuring these talented athletes, and we hope you will enjoy learning more
about them too!
This week’s Collegiate
Twirler Spotlight is the Texas Christian University Feature Twirlers!
We asked these ladies what brought them to TCU, and they all had amazing things to say about this University. KK told us she enjoyed how close she got to everyone. “I love that TCU is a small college but has the feeling of being a big college. You see people you know everywhere you and really get to know people in your major.” Haylee felt it would be a great place to continue her educational journey. “The campus is so beautiful, and I was offered incredible academic scholarships. When I visited, I knew I would have a unique perspective and role on campus as a Native American student.” For Molly, the draw came from the “amazing academic programs and getting to twirl alongside other amazing twirlers!”
We asked the twirlers what their favorite thing is about the school, and they all agreed that the school pride wat TCU is amazing! As KK told us, “Everywhere you go you’ll hear someone say ‘go frogs!’” Stephanie said the TCU spirit even extends off campus. “My favorite thing about TCU is the amount of school spirit we have on campus and within the DFW community!” This definitely includes the alum, too! As Molly tells us, “It is amazing how much love all of the people (alum included) have for horned frog football!!” Haylee has had a special experience this year with her brother joining her on campus. “Having my brother at TCU has been the best experience! I love sharing this journey with him. TCU really is family and I love everything about TCU!”
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We had to know what the best traditions are at TCU! KK and
Molly agree that it is the Riff Ram chant! “I especially love doing the chant
after every touch down”, says KK. Stephanie enjoys the spirit of the holidays
on campus. “The best TCU tradition in my opinion is the annual
Christmas Tree lighting they do after Thanksgiving. The whole TCU and
surrounding DFW community come together for a whole celebration and the
lighting of the TCU Christmas tree.” Haylee’s favorite tradition isn’t a thing
they do, but a symbol they have. As she tells us, her favorite tradition is the
HYPNOTOAD! “It slays
every opponent!”
Speaking of Toads… Did you know that the game fireworks even tie back to their beloved mascot? As Stephanie tells us, “My favorite fun fact about TCU is that anytime TCU scores a touchdown at a football game, they shoot off 2 red fireworks from the end zone signifying a horned frog shooting blood from its eyes to scare off predators.” How cool is that?
KK is a Senior from Rockwall, Texas, that is majoring in Kinesiology and Minoring in Religious Studies. In addition to being a TCU Feature Twirler, she is also a sister in the Sorority Gamma Phi Beta and very active in her church. KK is a Collegiate/Advanced level competitor that has been twirling for 13 years. She is coached by Sheila Payne Rigelsky and is a member of the Texas Touch of Class. The competition title KK is the proudest of earning was when she was awarded the bronze medal at the IBTF Nations Cup for Adult A X-Strut! Her favorite competition trick is any rolls, and her favorite field tricks are walkovers. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her former TTOC teammate and previous University of Texas Feature Twirler, Erica Kuntz. After college, KK plans to go to chiropractic school.
Stephanie is a Senior from San Antonio, Texas, that is majoring in accounting and minoring in finance. In addition to being a TCU Feature Twirler, Stephanie is also a sister in the Phi Mu Sorority and Tau Beta Sigma Band Service Sorority. Stephanie is an Advanced/Collegiate level competitor that has been twirling for 9 years. She is a member of the Mickey's Majorettes where she is coached by Patti Mickey, Kayli Mickey-McIntosh, and Tori Mays Elyea. The competition titles she is the proudest of earning was when she earned the 2021 Miss Majorette of the Southwest and 2022 College Miss Majorette of the Southwest in back-to-back years. Her favorite competition trick is a horizontal toss split roll, and her favorite field trick is a toss illusion or back necks! In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by former Iowa Feature Twirler, Kylene Spanbauer. After college, Stephanie hopes to become a tax partner at a ‘Big 4’ accounting firm.
Haylee is a 4th year majoring in Native American Expressions and minoring in Dance and Journalism. In addition to being a TCU Feature Twirler, Haylee is also involved in many on campus activities including President of the Native and Indigenous Student Association, Bob Schieffer College of Communication DEI Committee Student Rep, Schieffer Dean’s Ambassador, Native American Advisory Circle Student Representative, TCU Honors College, Race and Reconciliation Initiative Student Representative, Order of Omega, and a sister of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Haylee is an Advanced level competitor that has been twirling for 17 years and is coached by Vicki Ray. The title she is proudest of earning was when she was named Miss Coppell 2024, and her favorite field tricks are tumbling and rolls on the ground. In baton twirling, she has been inspired by many twirlers before her including Caroline Carothers, Danae Couch, Meredith Sigler, Sarah Harris, Jennifer Horn, Kelli Masters! After college, Haylee plans to continue her education and earn a JD with an emphasis in Native American Law. “I understand the great importance of fitness and health and wellness programming in the Native community. I plan to use digital media to promote healthy lifestyles through dance and other artistic expressions (including twirling!) for Native populations.”
Molly is a Sophomore from Crawford, Texas, that is majoring in early childhood education. In addition to being a TCU Feature Twirler, Molly is also a member of her college team at church. She is an advanced level competitor that has been twirling for 10 years and is coached by Vicki Ray of the Vick’s Chicks. The competition placement she is the proudest of earning was when she was Top 3 in the All-American Girl event at Nationals, and when she won her Intermediate Pageant at Southwest Regionals. Molly’s favorite competition trick is “anything catch blind”, and her favorite field trick is a toss double leap. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by former Baylor & UT Feature Twirler, Caroline Carothers. After college, Molly hopes to teach kindergarten.
Fun
Facts!
Favorite Color:
- KK, Stephanie, & Haylee – PURPLE!
- Molly - Blue
- KK – The Hunger Games
- Stephanie – “Anastasia”
- Haylee - I LOVE watching the local news!
- Molly - Gilmore Girls (show), “I Still Believe” (movie), & “Redeeming Love” (book)
Favorite
Food or Drink:
Favorite
Quote or Life Motto:
- KK – Chocolate Cake
- Stephanie – “ANY BREAD or chicken nuggies and Dr. Pepper.”
- Haylee - Diet Dr Pepper
- Molly - Panda Express& Iced Lattes
- KK - “The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still” Exodus 14:14
- Haylee - “The secret of our success is that we never, never
give up” - Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Principal Chief Wilma P. Mankiller
- Molly - Hebrews 13:2
When they
are not twirling, they love to...
- KK – “Play with my niece and nephew or go to estate sales with friends.”
- Stephanie – “Talk on the phone with my mommy or watch crime shows!”
- Haylee – “Go for outdoor walks and work out in the gym!”
- Molly – “Go to coffee shops, hangout with friends and family, read the Bible, and nap.”
Something
people might not know about them...
- Stephanie – “I
am the biggest introvert, and I have wanted to be a tax accountant since 7th
grade.”
- Haylee – “I was a competitive pianist and swimmer!” She also
speaks Cherokee!
- Molly – “I have four older brothers.”
The best non
twirling life skill they have gained from baton twirling is...
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- KK – “Twirling has taught me the importance of perseverance. You are going to
have some practices where everything works but other practices where the baton
seems like it’s on the ground more than in your hand! But that’s life; there are
going to be good days and bad days. It’s taught me to push ahead and look
forward to the good days but also learn from the hard days.”
- Stephanie – “My ability to interview!”
- Haylee – “Presentation skills! In any setting, I feel
confident in my ability to connect with anyone because of the skills developed
in twirling.”
- Molly – “Confidence in who God made me to be.”
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Most
memorable advice from their coach...
- KK – “It’s okay to be nervous. That means you care! Just don’t let your nerves
get the best of you.”
- Stephanie – “JUST HAVE FUN!!!”
- Haylee – “Keep your knee pointed forward and always smile!”
- Molly – “Don’t hesitate, just do it!”
Advice to future collegiate twirlers or those in the audition process...
- KK – “Be open minded! The audition process can be long and hard but at the end
of the day every school is amazing and there is no wrong choice.”
- Stephanie – “Be yourself!”
- Haylee – “Attend football games and meet the twirlers!”
- Molly – “Simply being yourself and truly having as much fun as you can with it is the key to making it less stressful.”
- KK – “The moment we won the Fiesta Bowl! We ran onto the field we all the confetti and got to celebrate with the team!”
- Stephanie – “Performing at the College Football National Championships!”
- Haylee – “Being on the big screen at the College Football
National Championship in SoFi Stadium Los Angeles!”
- Molly – “Getting to twirl at the College Football National Championship!”
Funniest memory as a baton twirler...
- KK – “Also at the Fiesta Bowl Haylee lost her baton. It rolled
under the stands, and we weren’t able to get it back.”
- Stephanie – “My shoe coming off at a Southwest Regional competition during my pageant X-Strut.”
- Haylee – “At the Fiesta Bowl, a sports reporter was taking
my picture and accidentally kicked my baton into a grate and down a hole. That
baton disappeared forever!”
- Molly – “KK hit someone with her baton during rehearsal.”
Favorite
thing about your University's marching band program...
- KK – “Our band director, Mr. Garrett, is amazing! If we ask for
something, his response is always ‘well let’s figure out a way to make it
happen!’”
- Stephanie – “The fact that I get to be part of Tau Beta Sigma and serve my band and community.”
- Haylee – “The twirlers perform the entire halftime show on
the field! It’s so exciting to perform alongside the TCU Showgirls and Cheer!”
- Molly – “How close knit everyone is to each other.”
Favorite tradition or inside joke within your band program...
- KK – “Every game day when we step off to March into the stadium our band
director says, “it’s a great day to be a horned frog” and it always puts a
smile on my face!”
- Stephanie – “During our pep rallies while marching around the stadium, the band plays the song "Pretty Fly" where some of my band friends and I get together and sing the line "Give it to me baby uh huh uh huh give it to me baby!" and interact with the crowd.”
- Haylee – “Every Friday before a TCU home game, the band performs a Spirit March across campus!”
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- KK – “This season I’m just planning on taking in every moment! From rehearsals
to game days, I want to treasure it all!”
- Stephanie – “Getting to see Sophia (the SMU Doll) at the TCU SMU game!!!”
- Haylee – “Another National Championship game! GO FROGS!”
- Molly – “Improving on my tricks and showman ship on the field!”
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