Welcome to Fall everyone! Too bad it doesn’t feel like fall! We know our field twirlers have been experiencing a crazy hot season, but they are still doing an amazing job.
Each season this blog likes to get to know some of these awesome twirlers a little better by learning about them and their experiences. We will be meeting a new High School twirler each Friday through the season with the Friday Night Lights Features, and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights during the week. Make sure to follow us at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx or on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx for lots of live content and Insta-story take overs by some of your favorites.
This week’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is the Stephen F Austin State University Twirl-O-Jacks!
You may have seen some of the posts on our Instagram Story this past Saturday as we joined the Twirl-O-Jacks during one of their favorite games - the Tomorrow’s T-O-J Day (their version of a Twirler for a Day program). It was so fun seeing all the younger twirlers work on their routines to perform for the SFA crowds, and the T-OJ-s, of course, looked amazing leading them!
For many twirlers, especially in East Texas, the Twirl-O-Jacks are a twirling institution. Not familiar with the TOJs? We asked Twirl-O-Jack Coordinator (2007-present), Candice Curbow, to tell us a little more about the program. “Grace…Poise….Style! These are the words that have become synonymous with the Twirl-O-Jacks of Stephen F. Austin State University since their founding in 1956 under the band directorship of Jimmie Hudgins. While Mr. Hudgins coined the name “Twirl-O-Jacks,” the group’s unique style was created by then head T-O-J, Pat (Griffin) Bridges. The unique twirling style of the T-O-J’s continued throughout the years under Twirl-O-Jack Coordinator, Joan (Griffin) Bridges until 2007, when she passed the torch to one of her very own students, Candice (Pelzl) Curbow.”
The Twirl-O-Jacks join the Lumberjack Marching Band and Feature Twirler on the field to entertain the SFA Community. Keeping to their mantra, they bring a level of sophistication to the show as well as some great twirling skills. The 2019-2020 Twirl-O-Jacks include Head TOJ – Mackenzie Burlingame, Assistant Head TOJ – Codie Lovelady, Elizabeth Bridges, Amanda Bruner, Michalla Byrd, Jaida Crowley, Samantha Denby, Julie Horchler, Gabriela Kilmer, Madeline Murphy, Mykayla Nalls, and Erin Rock.
The twelve twirlers are doing a great job continuing the legacy of the T-O-J Program. We asked Coordinator Candice Curbow about the group’s growth. “The Twirl-O-Jack line continues to grow each year, both in numbers and talent. We are very fortunate to have such amazing support from the Timeless T-O-J Alumni Association. This association was formed in 2004 and has worked hard to raise money to provide scholarships for the T-O-J’s. Although it took many years to establish, the dedication of our alumni has paid off for the T-O-J’s of today. In addition to the $500 T-O-J Scholarship provided through the University, the Timeless T-O-J Alumni Association is very proud to be able to award a scholarship each year in the amount of $800-$1000 per year. Scholarships are awarded from the proceeds of twirling camps and clinics hosted by the Timeless T-O-J Alumni Association each year”. Want to help support the T-O-J’s? Visit http://www.twirlojacks.com/ to learn more about their summer camp program and Alumni Association.
With such great support, we know the T-O-J program will continue to thrive. Having a group this established and with this many twirlers, there will always be some hurdles to work through. We asked Candice what is the biggest challenge the T-O-J’s face during their season, and she said they often have trouble finding a practice facility. “Although many facilities accommodate our needs, we are always last on the list to use a facility. Often, even when we have a facility reserved, we are told we will not be able to use it because another organization needs it for that time. Although the T-O-J’s are trained to be flexible with these situations, it can still be very frustrating at times”. That is for sure, and a difficulty we all understand. Facility space and baton twirlers… the ongoing battle!
We know that coordinating this group is a lot of work, but Candice says they make it worth the time. We asked her what she has been the proudest of this season. “My proudest moment so far this season would have to be the NO DROP halftime performance at the first game of the season!! They were amazing!” Yes! That is fantastic! We also asked Candice if she has any goals for this organization moving forward. “Competing in a collegiate level competition, is something I hope to see happen for the T-O-J’s in the near future”. We would all love to see that too!
Now that we have learned a little about the T-O-J organization, let’s learn more about the twirlers!
“All dreams come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” – Walt Disney
Mackenzie is a 4th year EC-6 from Whitehouse, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a toss illusion. When she is not twirling, she loves to eat Mexican food with friends and watch Netflix. After High School she plans to travel the world and become an elementary school teacher.
“My philosophy is it's none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am, I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything, and it makes life so much easier.” – Anthony Hopkins
Codie is a 3rd year Digital Media Major from Bullard, Texas. She is also a member of the Film making Club. Her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel. She is the proudest of winning the title of 2019 Collegiate Premier Performer. When she is not twirling, she loves to eat and workout. After High School she would like to become part of an animation studio and work on cartoons or animated TV shows and movies.
“Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” – Joshua 1:9
Elizabeth is a Sophomore Nursing Major from Whitehouse, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a toss illusion catch backhand. She is the proudest of winning the 2019 Southwest Regional Novice Senior X-Strut. When she is not twirling, she loves to go workout, watch Netflix, or hang out with friends. After High School she plans to become a Traveling Nurse Practitioner for a little bit then settle down and either open her own practice or work at a hospital setting.
“Stay positive, work hard, and make it happen”
Amanda is a Sophomore Music Education Major from Little Rock, Arkansas and says when it comes to her college life, “everything is band related!” Her favorite field trick is a toss illusion or anything with a layout. She is the proudest of winning the 2019 Mid South Regional Intermediate Senior pageant. When she is not twirling, she loves to be around her friends, watch TV, and eat good food. After Undergrad, she hopes to get her Graduate Degree in Music Education so that she could possibly land a college teaching position.
“Perfectly Imperfect!”
Michalla is a Freshman Accounting major from Joaquin, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a two-turn. When she is not twirling, she loves to watch the TV Show FRIENDS on Netflix and spend time with her friends and family. After College she hopes to get a job and make money!
“You must dress the part to be the part”
Jaida is a 2023 Dance teaching major from Garland, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a three turn. When she is not twirling, she loves to nap and hang out with friends. After college she hopes to coach her own drill team at the high school level.
2 Timothy 1:7
Samantha is from Mount Enterprise, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a two-turn illusion. She is the proudest of winning the title of Twirl Productions Unlimited Premiere Performer. She says, “All I do is twirl!” After college she hopes to become an agricultural science teacher and own a successful twirling studio.
“You will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Michael Scott
Julie is a Freshman Early Childhood Education Major from Whitehouse, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a toss double illusion. She is the proudest of winning the title of Intermediate Miss Summertime of South Carolina. When she is not twirling, she says she is “a huge Office fan, so I am always watching it!” After College she would like to teach Kindergarten or 1st Grade at a local elementary school, and continue to teach twirling with her instructor, Reinetta Gingles.
“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground” – Theodore Roosevelt
Gabriela is a Sophomore Psychology major from Nacogdoches, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel. Her favorite twirling memory was when she performed at her first SFA Game as a T-O-J, and the title she is the proudest of winning was the SWTA State Overall High Score of the Day in 2018. After College she hopes to own a private practice for counseling.
“The more you do stuff, the better you get at dealing with how you still fail at it a lot of the time” – John Mulan
Madeline is a Sophomore Theater Major from Jacksonville, Texas. Her favorite field trick is horizontal/vertical juggles. When she is not twirling, she loves to play Dungeons and Dragons, or sing and act with the SFA Theater program. After college she hopes to pursue acting and one day be on Broadway.
“The temptation to quit will be the greatest just before you are about to success”
Mykayla is a Freshman Music Education Major from Hallsville, Texas. Her favorite field trick is a toss layout. When she is not twirling, she loves to practice her flute and says, “band is my life!” After College she hopes to return to her hometown and teach music and baton twirling to Junior High and High School Students.
“Fake it till you make it”
Erin is a 2nd year Sociology Major from Jacksonville, Texas, where she is a member of the Episcopal Church Women’s Group. Her favorite field trick is a toss somersault. When she is not twirling, she loves to cook and sing. After College she plans to become a social worker focusing on children in juvenile detention centers.
We asked the T-O-J members to tell us more about the audition process to become a T-O-J, and they told us it was an all-day event. “We meet in the morning to learn the audition routine. It is very exciting to meet all the new candidates! After learning the routine, we have lunch break and then meet at the coliseum to begin the audition process. We audition first in a large group including all T-O-J Candidates. Then, we break into smaller groups of three or four candidates and audition in small groups twice. The most rewarding part of the day is hearing your name called and receiving a flower from an alumni member!”
With spending so much time together, they must have some amazing moments as a team. They told us that entering the field for their very first pre-game of the season was their favorite moment this Fall. They also very much enjoy when they get to join the football team after each game to sing the school song together. In fact, singing after each game and twirling with some of their best friends is what the seniors will miss the most when they graduate.
Being together so much, they get to have a lot of fun, especially when goofing around during breaks at band camp. They all laugh together a lot and get to join the band with their silly traditions too. One of the band traditions that cracks them all up is when at practice a cloud comes with shade, the whole band says, “God loves the LMB!” We know that feeling, and wow, have we needed those clouds this season! Whew!
Finally, to end our interview, we asked them what advice they have for any future T-O-Js. “Practice, practice, practice!” They also suggested getting someone to watch you twirl to give you helpful critiques.
We want to thank the Twirl-O-Jacks for taking over our Instastory and joining us for this week’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight. We wish them a great rest of their season! Axe Em Jacks!
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.
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