Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
Wow! Can you believe we have already completed the last weekend of regular season high school football? The past couple months went by so fast, and we are sad to say this is the final Friday Night Lights Feature of the season! Don’t worry, we will still have more takeovers through playoffs, but for our last HS interview of the season we get to meet a great group of auxillary members!
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 High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School 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!
Our next Friday Night Lights Feature is the Hallsville High School Majorettes & Flags!
Hallsville High School, located in Hallsville, Texas, is the home of the Bobcats, and our biggest group of the season! Wearing the purple and white each Friday Night, these baton and flag twirlers are also all musicians! “We all have to play instruments in our band all year round!” This year, the HHS Auxiliary has an outstanding TWENTY members including - Seniors Evey LaBay (Twirler Captain), Semaya Smith (Flag Captain), Kendall Goulden, Karsyn Niblett, Cailey Cox, and Madi Smelley; Juniors Lucy Avedikian, Zalea Brazzell, & Mia Nichols; Sophomores Riley Fincher, Mia Williams, Jaidin Loud, & Andrhea Kelley; and Freshmen Ella Dunin, Jayden Hatch, Sophia Beecham, Kaydence Frank, Violet Dolive, Lyla Upchurch, & Faith Madewell.
To earn their spot, they had to follow the annual audition process. “We always tryout in May, and we normally learn a tryout routine about a week before tryouts then perform it in groups for 3 judges! Captains also have to create their own tryout solo, teach the fight song in front of judges, and go through an interview.”
There are many things to love about Hallsville, but the twirlers say it is the students that really make it special. “Our student body is very supportive! All students love to get involved and all support our band, drill team, cheer, and all sports.”
With such a great student base, the traditions have to be the best! “Our best tradition in Hallsville is our Western Days! We have an annual festival called Western Days, with a Parade, a Pageant called “Miss Hallsville” where senior girls can participate, street dances, and lots of western themes! We also always enjoy our Band Senior Night where we crown a “Band Sweetheart and Beau.” They are voted on by the band and ride on a float in our Christmas parade!”
As football season has wrapped up, they are already looking forward to the holidays. “We will be having our 3rd annual Auxiliary and Twirl Cats Christmas show this year! This year's theme is The Polar Express!”
Now that we have learned more about being a Bobcat, let’s learn more about the Twirlers!
Evey has been twirling for 9 years. She is coached by Shannon Johnson and Janice Jackson Seamands. Her favorite field trick is anything with 3 batons, and she has been most inspired by former University of Tennessee Feature Twirler, Laney Puhalla. “She is so inspirational to me! I took a private lesson with her and she is so encouraging and talented!” After High School, she hopes to attend the University of Arkansas next fall to pursue a degree in nursing! “I hope to try out for the Razorback twirling line in the spring!”
Semaya has been twirling for 7 years. She is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is any type of floor work, and she has been most inspired by their former Captain, Maddie Shirley. “She inspired me so much in my early High School years to try out for captain and make twirling a priority of mine.” After High School she is attending the University of New Mexico to pursue a degree in nursing.
Kendall has been twirling for 5 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a back catch, and she has been most inspired by her coach, Shannon. After High School she plans to attend SFA to get a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders to become a Speech Pathologist.
Karsyn has been twirling for 7 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a silk toss, and she has been most inspired by her sister. After High School, she hopes to go to Kilgore College to become a real estate agent and investor.
Cailey has been twirling for 7 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is an Ariel toss, and she has been most inspired by her Captain, Semaya. After High School, she plans to go to Louisiana Tech University to major in electrical engineering.
Madi has been twirling for 13 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is 3 Juggles into a one turn, and she has been most inspired by her aunt. After High School, she hopes to go to a university and get her doctorate in medicine.
Lucy has been twirling for 4 years and is coach by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a meltdown, and she has been most inspired by her captains, Semaya Smith and Evey LaBay. After High School, she hopes to attend college and become a flight nurse for the Air Force.
Zalea has been twirling for 5 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a meltdown, and she has been most inspired by her Captain, Semaya, and herself “because I know that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to”. After High School, she plans to go to a college and get a degree in nursing.
Mia has been twirling for 10 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson in addition to being a member of Michele’s All-Star Twirlers. Her favorite field trick is 3 baton boxes, she has been most inspired by the Alabama Crimsonettes, Razorback Twirlers, and her Captain Evey LaBay. After High School she hopes to go to the University of Arkansas and study Business. “I also hope to try out for the Razorback Twirling Line.
Riley has been twirling for 3 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a 1 turn, and she has been most inspired by her teammates. After High School, she plans to graduate with her associate's degree, then go to a college to obtain her Bachelors, then attend Vet school.
Mia has been twirling for 3 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a back catch, and she has been most inspired by her teammates, Mia Nichols. After High School, she plans to go to college to become a teacher.
Jaidin has been twirling for 6 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a meltdown, and she has been most inspired by the University of Texas Feature Twirler, Aidyn Mentry. After High School, she hopes to attend UT Austin to become a pharmacist. “I would also love to march in the band!”
Andrhea has been twirling for 1 year and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is partner tosses, and she has been most inspired by her sister. After High School, she plans to go to college to become a Registered Nurse.
Ella has been twirling for 4 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a 1 turn, and she has been most inspired by the younger girls in twirling. “Having fun inspires me and being able to help them.” After High School, she hopes to continue to college and then go to medical school.
Jayden has been twirling for 3 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a one turn, and she has been most inspired by her Captain, Semaya. After High School, she hopes to go to college for nursing.
Sophia has been twirling for 3 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is when they get to do partner tosses, and she has been most inspired by her teammates. After High School, she hopes to go to college and prepare to be a Physical Therapist.
Kaydence has been twirling for 3 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is a silk toss, and she has been most inspired by her family. “They support me and build my confidence.” After High School, she hopes to become a cosmetologist.
Violet has been twirling for 5 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field tricks are fishtails, and she has been most inspired by her teammates. “They inspire me at every practice to become a better twirler!” After High School, she hopes to become an FBI agent!
Lyla has been twirling for 8 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is 3 baton juggles, and she has been most inspired by her mom, aunt, and grandma. After High School, she hopes to go to a college and pursue a degree in Hippotherapy. “I would also like to continue my twirling career in college.”
Faith has been twirling for 3 years and is coached by Shannon Johnson. Her favorite field trick is juggles, and she has been most inspired by God. After High School, she hopes to go to Kilgore College for 2 years then attend UT medical school to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
When they are not twirling, they love to…
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Something people might not know about them is…
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Favorite thing about marching season…
We want to thank the Hallsville twirlers for being our very last Friday Night Lights Feature of the season, and we just know they all had such a great time together this fall. Go Bobcats!
- Evey - “I love to spend time with my family!”
- Semaya - “I love to work with my coworkers at a retail store in my town and also listen to music.”
- Kendall - “I love to play percussion and hang out with my friends.”
- Karsyn - “I love to hang out with friends and family and go shopping.”
- Cailey - “I love to read.”
- Madi - “Go to church and hang out with my friends.”
- Lucy - “I love to sleep, eat, and hang out with my friends.”
- Zalea - “I love to go out to eat with some of the girls on the team and learn new tricks.”
- Mia N. - “I love to hang out with my friends and listen to music.”
- Riley - “I love to spend time with my friends.”
- Mia W. - “I love to spend time with my friends and skate.”
- Jaidin - “I love to draw and play video games.”
- Andrhea - “I love to play my trumpet in band.”
- Ella - “I love to play with all of my animals, read, and talk to my friends.”
- Jayden - “I love to work out and hang out with my friends.”
- Sophia - “I love to read.”
- Kaydence - “I love to spend time with my family and draw or do arts and crafts.”
- Violet - “I love to read and listen to music.”
- Lyla - “I love to ride and train horses.”
- Faith - “I love to dance and sleep.”
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- Evey - “I played soccer for 4 years and I miss it a lot!”
- Semaya - “I chipped my tooth at practice my freshman year at our dress rehearsal for our spring show.”
- Kendall - “I am deathly afraid of frogs!”
- Karsyn - “I set up a Christmas village in my room every year.”
- Cailey - “My favorite color is green.”
- Madi - “I have read the Harry Potter series completely through 5 times.”
- Lucy - “I drive a yellow jeep.”
- Zalea - “I really do cherish all the small things.”
- Mia N. - “I actually started band freshman year of High School.”
- Riley - “I am a twin.”
- Mia W. - “I am left handed and dyslexic.”
- Jaidin - “I have done gymnastics, boxing, and karate. I also have a pet bird!”
- Andrhea - “I love painting.”
- Ella - “I cried at my very first twirling lesson and that I collect mini objects.”
- Jayden - “I can hold handstands for a very long time.”
- Sophia - “I am terrified of spiders.”
- Kaydence - “I love to fish.”
- Violet - “I play the piano.”
- Lyla - “I go to summer camp for a whole month during the summer.”
- Faith - “I love pickles.”
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- Evey - “Traveling to Baylor every year to compete in the State Military Marching Contest!”
- Semaya - “Getting ready with my best friends in our locker room before games and competitions.”
- Kendall - “Performing under the Friday Night Lights!”
- Karsyn - “Going to the games with some of my best friends.”
- Cailey - “When it’s over and we get to relax.”
- Madi - “Getting to play my piccolo in the band.”
- Lucy - “The memories we make together during practices and performances.”
- Zalea - “Getting to do what I love on the football field.”
- Mia N. - “Getting to do what I love with all my friends and twirling under the Friday night lights!”
- Riley - “Getting to spend it with some of my closest friends.”
- Mia W. - “The bus rides to and from games.”
- Jaidin - “Being able to talk to different bands at competitions and meet new people!”
- Andrhea - “The bus rides with my friend.”
- Ella - “The adrenaline rush I get during game days and getting to play call out in the stands during games!”
- Jayden - “Traveling for marching contests.”
- Sophia - “The halftime performances.”
- Kaydence - “When we perform on Fridays.”
- Violet - “The bus rides to and from football games!”
- Lyla - “Traveling to football games and working together as an Auxiliary Line.”
- Faith - “When we go to contests, and we all cheer because we made all 1’s!”
We want to thank the Hallsville twirlers for being our very last Friday Night Lights Feature of the season, and we just know they all had such a great time together this fall. Go Bobcats!
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.
