Today we venture down the road to the bright lights at the brand new Veterans Memorial High School to meet the very first Feature Twirler in school history, Victoria Contreras!
Victoria tells us “My high school just opened last year, so we contacted the band director, Mr. Shawn Athey, and asked if he would consider a feature twirler in the marching band. I tried out and he welcomed me to the Screaming Eagle Band!” Don’t you just love a good story about receptive band directors? We need more band directors like Mr. Athey who are willing to give baton twirlers a chance to showcase our sport. Below is Victoria (supporting Twirling for the Cure during her school's Pink Out day!) pictured with Mr. Athey. We know the Screaming Eagle band has a great future with such a supportive leader at the wheel.
Since Veterans Memorial High School is still new, they are just beginning to create school traditions. Victoria’s favorite so far is when at football games VMHS has a different U.S. Military Veteran run out on the field with the football players waving the American flag. “It is very moving for me because my dad is a Veteran. He served 21.5 years in the United States Coast Guard”. What an amazing way for this new school to really live up to its name!
Now it is time to learn a little more about this Screaming Eagle Twirler when she is not making history!
Victoria Contreras, Sophomore, Competition Level: Intermediate
Victoria has been twirling for 9 years as a part of the Nancy Eisenhauer School of Baton Twirling where she is coached by Keely Davis, Kim Berger, and Nancy Eisenhauer. She says the title she is most proud of winning was the 2015 Junior Intermediate Miss Twirling Snowflake Pageant. She says “I had just moved up to Intermediate the contest before, so it was really cool to win that pageant”.
Victoria’s favorite competition trick is anything with a leap in it, and her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel. When it comes to twirling inspiration Victoria says “I don't have a specific twirler that inspires me. Everyone that has helped me through my nine year twirling journey has motivated me to become a better twirler and person”. After High School Victoria hopes to attend UTSA and major in Art/Art History. She would also love the chance to be a part of the SOSA Sweethearts as a Feature Twirler.
Fun Facts!
Color: Black
Movie: “Forrest Gump”
Book: “This Is Where It Ends” by Marieke Nijkamp
Favorite Routine to Perform: her Show Twirl
You may not know that she… has a red headed sister who has Autism. “I don't mind talking about her to my friends... (talking about it) brings Autism awareness & educates”.
When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Create Art. Drawing, painting, sculpting, and writing...I just love art!”
Funniest twirling moment... “When I knocked out a dragonfly practicing my tosses”. Poor dragonfly!
Most memorable advice from her coach... “Practice like you are performing in front of the judge”.
Victoria’s Favorite Quote/Life Motto comes from her mother who tells her "Even when you think people are not watching, they are". Victoria says “that always motivates me to be at my best”. This motto has gone hand in hand with other lessons she has learned from baton twirling. “The life skills I've learned (from baton twirling) are how to motivate others and help keep a positive attitude”
When reflecting on her time so far as the Feature Twirler, Victoria wants to make sure future Features remember that “the band will be your second family throughout your high school years, so take in the laughs, the moments and cherish every bit of it”. While she still has a couple more years to enjoy her time at VMHS, this second family is a part of what she says she will miss most when she graduates… “The hilarious moments, the bonding, and the friendships that we created within the band. Those memories are what I will forever remember being (the first) Veteran's Memorial High School Feature Twirler”.
Congratulations to Victoria on spreading our sport into a new school and serving as a positive example of what baton twirlers can accomplish. "VMHS Band Hoo-rah!!" Blog Dismissed!
We hope you have enjoyed another edition of our Friday Night Lights Feature. Have a favorite High School or Collegiate Twirler that you would like to see interviewed? Please contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com with their name and email address so that we can reach out to them!
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