Texas Twirlers Abroad - Abby & Rachel in Peru!

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Today we have a very special interview for you. As most that attend AYOP are aware, there is a special opportunity every September offered to only a small handful of some of the nations most entertaining twirlers. Each of these twirlers are hand selected based on their performance abilities and advanced twirling skills. The sponsors attend AYOP, and after watching many twirlers compete, and comparing results with personal recommendations, they are invited to interview to be a part of that year's class. Once selected, they have the chance to travel for two weeks to Peru to participate in a once in a life time opportunity full of appearances and performances.

For the 2017 class traveling to Peru to participate in the 67th International Festival of the Spring (la Primavera), two of our very own Texas Twirlers were selected - Abby Morgan and Rachel Hutchinson.

Anyone who attends competitions in Texas should find these two faces familiar. Rachel, who is a member of the Mickey's Majorettes and coached by Patti Mickey, is from The Woodlands, TX. She is the reigning 2017 Miss Majorette of the Southwest and is one of The Woodlands High School Feature Twirlers. Abby, who is a member of the Alamo City Strutters and coached by Pat Montgomery, holds many State and Regional titles.  These two twirlers began their twirling careers around the same time, and have grown in the sport together as friends and competitors. It was a huge honor for these two to get the chance to travel to Peru, but made even more special that they were able to travel together. 

*Rachel & Abby have been friends and competitors since they began twirling around the same age*

We wanted to talk to these two twirlers about their experience and allow them to share some of the moments that meant the most to them as they traveled in Peru. 

So, tell us about the trip to Peru. What all did it entail? 

Rachel: "We participated in a two week long series of events. Our time in Peru consisted of several press conferences, meeting with officials  such as mayors, governors, and Lions Club officials, the sponsor companies Coca-Cola and Inkafarma, and visits to the public, all of which the twirlers performed at. Most memorable of all is the big 5 mile parade on the very last day. The whole festival is organized by the Lions Club of Trujillo, Peru to draw tourism and raise money for the community in surrounding areas."

Abby: "Yes, what most people do not know is that the annual International Festival of Springtime in Peru isn’t just performing and waving, it is a fundraiser for the country of Peru. We performed at orphanages, a nursing home, a horse show, in a 5 mile parade, and many other events." 

Wow! What an amazing experience. Of everything you got to do, what was your favorite part?

Abby: "Performing at the orphanages was definitely my favorite part. The children were so excited to meet us and watch us twirl." 

Rachel: "Mine was performing at the elderly home. After we performed there was a dance party and we taught baton skills to a number of wheelchair bound people. They enjoyed it and the exchange of happiness was very rewarding." 

How special to be able to share our sport in that way! In all those performances, there must have been some funny moments. What would you say is the funniest thing that happened to you on this trip?

Abby: "At the horse show, as I was walking out to the field to perform, I heard my name called. I looked back to see the Puerto Rican queen shouting and waving her hands at me to not step in the horse poop during the performance."
Rachel: "I have the biggest sweet tooth, so every time I heard that we were getting dessert I got really excited to try Peruvian sweets. However, they served purple corn EVERY TIME! One day they even served raw pig foot and a complete Guinea Pig, which was never eaten. There are also so many hilarious stories that were shared amongst the girls that I cannot even begin to tell accurately. After a long day we would all go camp out in one another’s hotel rooms and recap the day laughing until we had to go to sleep."



With that kind of food and all that performing, you must have been craving some home comforts. What did you miss the most from home when you were in South America?
Rachel: "Healthy, fresh water!"

Abby: "I missed southern sweet tea! I have not stopped drinking it since I’ve been back to Texas."

Oh I bet! With no tea, and them serving Guinea Pig, there must have been so many things you were not expecting or prepared for. What would you say was the thing that you found to be the most unexpected?
Abby: "Overflowing toilets!! Peruvians seemingly don’t use as much toilet paper as Americans so, two overflowing toilets later, I think we learned our lesson. At least I did!"
Rachel: "I did not expect to make lifelong friends from all over the US and Latin America. The Twirlers I have known vaguely from Nationals are now some of my best (and funniest) friends. Plus, I know I will keep in touch with my three new friends from Uruguay, Puerto Rico, and Argentina."

As we mentioned before, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we can all imagine that it had to be a life changing experience for you both. What would you say is the part that you will always remember?

Rachel: "Seeing the living conditions and the challenges that the people face was very upsetting and starkly contrasts our blessings in America. “To whom much is given, much is required” Luke 12:48. I went into this trip feeling like it was a privilege and came back realizing how important it is to give back. I will also always remember how the people of Peru were so welcome and generous with their support."

Abby: "The most memorable aspect of the trip to me was the exposure to the Peruvian and other South American cultures. The dances, food, landscape, and shopping of Peru is so different from our own, I think I will always remember that."

We are so excited that the two of you were able to go on this journey. What advice would you give to other Twirlers that may be selected for this trip in the future?

Abby: "During the parade, look down occasionally. The roads are a little rough there and I almost had two twisted ankles by the end of the 5 mile parade!

Rachel: "Brush up on your Spanish if you want to know what you are eating or where you are going. 

We want to say a huge thank you to Abby and Rachel for taking the time to do this interview with us. We are all so proud to say that these two were able to represent both our sport and our state abroad during this amazing experience. We hope everyone enjoyed their answers and we look forward to seeing who is selected next year for the 2018 Class attending the 68th International Festival of the Spring.  

*Video of Rachel & Abby Twirling in one of the parade during the Festival of Spring*

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.