Today we are in Houston, Texas for the fourth edition of our weekly Collegiate Twirler Spotlight. Here we get to meet the three Twirling Coogs from the University of Houston – Morgan Bull, Rebekah Gonzales, and Jassandra Holbert!
While the University of Houston football team is killing it during the game, these lovely ladies, under the instruction of Coach Jennifer Zuber-Garrison, are killing it during pre-game and halftime. The 2016 football season is the first twirling season at U of H for all three of these twirlers, and it has been an experience they will never forget.
This made us wonder, what made these twirlers choose University of Houston? Morgan says she chose it because of the campus and atmosphere. “Everyone here is extremely supportive of the University. The academics here are also very good, which is another aspect of my choice to attend University of Houston”. Rebekah chose U of H for similar reasons. She says “It has an excellent Kinesiology program, beautiful campus, and the school spirit is amazing”. Jassandra not only loved the campus, the location, and the reputation of the Communication’s school, she loves the spirit as well! “Every single student here has great pride for this university. From every home game to the classroom, Cougar pride is real”.
These girls are starting to really immerse themselves in the school’s traditions. Morgan and Jassandra love the tradition of Cougar Red Fridays. “Every single Friday is Cougar Red Fridays, meaning everyone wears a red shirt to show their love and support to the Cougars.” While Rebekah still wears her red, her favorite tradition is rubbing the cougar paw for good luck! “There is a cougar statue on campus and its good luck to rub under the paw. On test days you can find many students lined up to get some good luck!”
The band, of course, has its own awesome traditions. Rebekah says “After every Spirit of Houston practice, the whole Spirit of Houston gets together and we sing the Alma Mater. It creates a sense of family. I still get chills every time we sing together”. Jassandra really enjoys being a part of the “Spinning H”. “I love seeing the band, students and fans scream out the letters to spells COUGARS while the band magically forms an “H” out of nowhere. I think it is just the coolest thing”. Morgan even tells us the twirlers are starting to develop a few traditions of their own. “Before we go on the field at every game Bekah, Jassandra, and I put up our Cougar paw and say 'Shasta sugar, Cougar kiss' for good luck”.
What amazing experiences these girls are having, and what a great football and band program to be a part of. Are you interested in one day being a Cougar Twirler? These ladies have some sage words of advice. Morgan says “Start running before band camp because our pregame routines take a lot of stamina!” Oh I bet they do! Rebekah wants to make sure you know the level of awesome-ness you are walking in to. “Prepare yourself for the crazy school spirit! From Cougar red Fridays to the non-stop chanting of “Go Coogs!” it’s truly something you have to experience for yourself”. Jassandra has been swept into this Cougar Spirit. She says “be confident, and enjoy every moment. I have only been here a short amount of time but I have loved every moment performing in TDECU Stadium. Go out there with the biggest smile, perform for every little girl there, and never, I repeat never stop loving the Cougars! Go Coogs!”
To follow the U of H Twirling program via email, or get more information about future auditions, please visit http://uhtwirlers.weebly.com/.
Now, let’s take some time to learn more about these Lady Coogs and their take on twirling and life!
Morgan Bull, Sophomore, Competition Level: Advanced/Collegiate
Morgan is from Houston, Texas and is currently a sophomore Education Major. She has been twirling for 12 years with Coaches Vicki Michelle and Patti Mickey. The competition twirling title she is the most proud of is the Senior Intermediate Miss Majorette of Texas. Morgan’s favorite competition trick is her toss one turn illusion, and her favorite field trick is a toss illusion. While growing up, Morgan was most inspired to twirl by former SMU Feature Twirler, Kayli Mickey. Her favorite moment during her twirling career was when she was competing at State in 2015 and both her and her sister won their respective pageant titles. When she graduates from U of H, Morgan wants to be a high school math teacher.
Rebekah Gonzales, Freshman, Competition Level: Advanced/Collegiate
Rebekah is from San Antonio, Texas and is currently a freshman Kinesiology Major. She has been twirling for 9 years with Coach Pat Montgomery. The competition twirling title she is the most proud of is winning the Beginner 31+ National Duet Champion with duet partner Abby Morgan at AYOP 2016. Rebekah’s favorite competition trick is anything with three batons, and her favorite field trick is her toss double illusion. While growing up, Rebekah was most inspired to twirl by former University of Arkansas Feature Twirler, Stephanie Lampman. Her favorite moment so far during her twirling career was walking off the field from pre-game at her first college football game. “It was an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment because it has always been my dream to be a collegiate feature twirler”. When Rebekah graduates, she wants to become a physical therapist.
Jassandra Holbert, Freshman, Competition Level: Intermediate
Jassandra is from Vista, California and is currently a freshman Broadcast Journalism Major. She has been twirling for 11 years with Coach Juli Gage. The competition twirling title she is the most proud of winning is the Senior Intermediate All-West Regional Solo Champion. Jassandra’s favorite competition trick is her horizontal illusion and her favorite field trick is her toss double leap. Growing up, Jassandra was most inspired by former Purdue Golden Girl, Merribeth Cox. “The way she performed just captivated an audience and I never wanted to take my eyes off of her”. Her favorite moment so far in her twirling career was her first pregame performance in NRG Stadium. “It was a childhood dream come to run out onto that 50-yard line with my “paw” up in front of 70 thousand screaming fans! I knew in that moment that all of my hard work was worth it!” When Jassandra graduates she would like to “become a producer for a news station or a broadcast journalist traveling the world and reporting stories that have affected people’s lives”.
Fun Facts!
Favorite Color = Purple (Morgan), Yellow (Rebekah), Pink (Jassandra)
Favorite Food = Chinese (Rebekah), Any type of bread (Jassandra)
Favorite Music = alternative pop (Morgan), “jamming out to late ‘90s music” (Jassandra)
Favorite Movie = “Gone With The Wind” (Morgan), “The Little Mermaid” (Rebekah), “Footloose” (Jassandra)
Involved in any Non-Twirling/Band School Organizations?
- Morgan = “I participate in an on campus bible study.”
- Rebekah = “Not yet. Twirling consumes a lot of my time and I am a commuter student”
- Jassandra = Hall Council for her dorm and a member of Cru.
When they are not twirling they love to…
- Morgan = “Go camping, fighting, painting, bike riding, and watch movies”
- Rebekah = “Read and spend time with friends and family”
- Jassandra = “Spend quality time with my friends and family, layout on the beach, and get involve in school as much as possible.
Something people might now know about them is…
- Morgan = “I am very good at fixing and putting things together”
- Rebekah = “I know sign language, I played trombone for 5 years, and I was involved in my high school colorguard/winterguard for 4 years.
- Jassandra = “I enjoy being super busy! I was very involved in my high school and my community. Throughout my 4 years I planned everything from pep rallies to prom. I loved every moment of it and am trying to find a way to be as involved here at UH.”
Favorite Quote/Life Motto =
- Morgan = “Always be yourself.”
- Rebekah = “Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you’ve got protect it. When people can’t do something themselves, they’re going to tell you that you can’t do it. You want something, got get it. Period.”- Will Smith (Pursuit of Happyness)
- Jassandra = “For the testing of your faith produces perseverance” James 1:2
Most Memorable Advice from their coaches =
- Morgan = “Visualize your routines and watch every catch land in your hand every time before your take the field or floor.”
- Rebekah = “Win or lose, always have fun and hold your head up high”
- Jassandra = “Go out there and perform like you had a no drop all the way off the floor, even if you dropped every trick”
Funniest Twirling Moment (in competition or field twirling) =
- Morgan = “I was working on my toss double illusion and on the second illusion my foot slipped out from under and I feel on the field we were all laughing a lot”.
- Rebekah = “Once at a contest, my jazz shoe flew off my foot right in the middle of my X-Strut and I had to finish the final 2 legs with 1 shoe”.
- Jassandra = “Once when the Band was practicing “Spell Out” and spinning the H, Bekah, Morgan, and I were spelling out COUGARS, and Bekah looked at me and did a roll that she caught between her legs and pointed at me during the 'U'”.
Last Weekend, on Saturday, October 29th, the University of Houston Feature Twirlers had the chance to host twirlers from all over Texas for the first ever Twirler Spirit Day! These twirlers were able to meet and work with Morgan, Rebekah, and Jassandra, as well as participate in a parade, pre-game, and half time. This is one of only TWO collegiate twirler days in the State of Texas.
While this was the first year, the University of Houston hopes to make this an Annual Tradition! They would love to see even more twirlers out there next year, How do you make sure you don't miss it? Visit http://uhtwirlers.weebly.com/ and make sure to sign up for their email list. This way you will always be in the know about the amazing things happening for twirling in Houston, Go Coogs!!!
We hope you have enjoyed another edition of our Collegiate Spotlight. 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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