Friday Night Lights Feature - Claudia Taylor Johnson High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

The last weekend of September has come and gone, and we are ready to take on “Band-Tober” and all the fun that comes with a month full of marching band, football, and watching those high school twirlers rock it under those Friday Night Lights. We know today's featured twirlers did just that this past weekend and we loved following their Game Day experience on the Instastory Takeover.

This Weekend’s FNL Feature is the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Feature Twirlers! 

Claudia Taylor Johnson (aka CTJ), located in San Antonio, Texas, is the home of the Jaguars, and one of the best band programs in the country! The CTJ band regularly places Top 10 at the bands of America National Championship and were also the 2020 UIL 6A Texas State Champions!

Another fun fact about CTJ is that they have FIVE Feature Twirlers, and the band program does their best to help break the stigma that you can’t be successful in BOA with baton twirlers. Last year at the BOA National Championship, they had four different twirlers perform at key moments in their show, and still placed 7th in the Nation! You have to love a school where the band director supports their twirlers and highlights the hard work and skill it takes to be successful in this activity. 

This year, the CTJ band has five Feature Twirlers – Dylan Butler (Head Twirler), Sophie O’Reilly, Gabi Rosito, Madisen Curry, and Kinsey Simeon!

We asked the twirlers how they earned their positions, and they told us about their audition process. 
According to Dylan, “Auditioning at CTJ is pretty simple- our head band director, Mr. Lipman, gives us a date and time to meet in the school gym and we all go and perform a UIL routine (or something similar) for the directors, parents, other twirlers, and twirling coordinator, and then Mr. Lipman lets us know the results almost immediately.” Madisen added that, “We are blessed in that our wonderful director, Jarrett Lipman, and our coach Jodie Rhodes, see us all as individuals with different skills and that we are all featured for our uniqueness on the team. Some of us are dancers, some of us do great with tricks, and some of us are great at both!” With having a large group of Features, once they were selected, the Band Director made sure to set the tone for the year. As Kinsey told us, “After we all went, the band director talked to us about the responsibilities of being a twirler and how we are a team from the start to the finish of this season.” Love that!

With coming from such a well know school, we wanted to know what the twirlers love the most about going to CTJ. Madisen is proud of the school’s attention to fine arts. “The best thing about our school is the pride in the fine arts including band and choir.” Dylan seconds that and says the relationships between organizations are inspiring. “There are a lot of unique and amazing things about Johnson, but my favorite is the relationship between spirit and athletic groups. The Johnson community does a fantastic job supporting all spirit and athletic teams, and each team supports each other. One of my favorite memories from last year was the band performance that the varsity football team came out and watched on a Saturday night because I don't know of many other school’s football team that goes to band-only events. It was incredible.” In addition to the school spirit and support, while Gabi loves the Football Games, and Sophie loves the friends she has made, Kinsey enjoys the actual school building! “It may not seem like it, but I really like the layout of the school. The way the school was built is very organized and its surprisingly simple and easy to find your classes. I also really love our school colors and mascot! Go Jags!”

Being at a school with so much student support also comes with some wonderful traditions. Gabi says her favorite tradition is when they get to perform the fight song because it really connects her to the school spirit. Dylan says she loves kicking off each school year with “Meet the Jags”. “At the very beginning of each school year, the Johnson community hosts a “Meet the Jags” night where every spirit group, athletic team, and major club come out to one of our district stadiums and we introduce everyone to each other, the jungle (our student section), and friends and family members in the community. It’s a fun and excitement-filled way to kick off the school year and support each other.” Sophie says her favorite tradition is one she hasn’t been able to participate in yet but cannot wait to be a part of. “I love the Senior Sunrise! Even though I’m not a senior yet, I think it is so cool!”

In addition to the regular school traditions, CTJ has one very special tradition each spring. Claudia Taylor Johnson High School was named for former first lady, “Ladybird” Johnson. One thing the real CTJ loved was wildflowers, especially her Texas bluebonnets. Madisen and Kinsey both love that she is honored on campus with these flowers. As Kinsey says, “I always love how the staff makes sure we have bluebonnets during the spring around the school grounds in honor of "Lady Bird" Johnson. It represents how important it is to keep nature in our surroundings, plus, I personally think bluebonnets are the prettiest flowers in the world!”

Before we learn more about these twirlers as individuals, we wanted to learn more about what they are looking forward to the most this year. Sophie & Dylan look forward to the football games every week, as well a special event they will be attending with their twirling team. As Dylan told us, “As usual, I’m really excited for the football and marching band season, but this year, my twirling team is going to Disneyland in November and leading the Christmas Fantasy Parade down Main Street, which is something I’m really looking forward to.” Madisen is most excited about their show this year, “I am looking forward to finishing our marching show called “Out There” and putting it all together on the field,” while Gabi is already looking forward to Winterguard Season starting in a little over a month! Finally, Kinsey is happy to finally be a part of the full experience. “I'm really excited for our first marching band competition now that I have a main role in the front ensemble. My 6th and 7th grade yr I twirled and danced in the Circle of Life and Know Who You Are shows but this time I'm actually a student at CTJ and not just a special guest jag cub!”

Now that we know more about being a part of Jag Nation, let’s learn more about these twirlers!

Dylan Butler (Head Twirler), Junior
Competition Level: Intermediate
Dylan has been twirling for 8 years and is coached by Michele Sweet Pangrac of the Twirling Sweet Sensations. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was the 2022 Beginner Junior Texas State Pageant Winner. Dylan’s favorite field trick is a toss layback or toss bow. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Savannah Miller and Caroline Carothers. After High School she would love to become a collegiate twirler as well as pursue a degree in Forensic Psychology. “One day I hope to work for the FBI!”

Sophie O’Reilly, Sophomore
Competition Level: Advanced
Sophie has been twirling for 4.5 years and is coached by Michele Sweet Pangrac of the Twirling Sweet Sensations. Her favorite field trick is a toss walkover. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coach, Michele Pangrac. After High School, Sophie hopes to move to New York. 

Gabi Rosito, Sophomore
Competition Level: Advanced
Gabi has been twirling for 6 years and is coached by Mary Ann Pozzi of Heart of Texas Twirling, as well as Michael Lopez. The competition title she is the proudest of was winning the Intermediate X-Strut for her individual age at AYOP. Her favorite field trick is a toss round off back handspring. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Savannah Miller. After high school she hopes to twirl in college. 

Madisen Curry, Sophomore
Competition Level: Beginner
Madisen has been twirling for five years and is currently coached by Mary Ann Pozzi of the Heart of Texas Twirlers. The competition title she was the proudest of earning was winning her pageant at the 2022 San Antonio Twirling Festival. Her favorite things to do on the field are two baton and “any chance to incorporate my dance background in my routine.” In baton twirling she has been most inspired by current UTSA Twirler, Stephanie Garza, and her coach, Mary Ann. After High School she hopes to twirl in college and major in music. “I want to be a choir director!"

Kinsey Simeon, Freshman
Competition Level: Intermediate
Kinsey has been twirling for six years and is coached by Pat Montgomery of the Alamo City Strutters, as well as Cynthia Proctor from Cynergy Dance Studio. Her favorite field trick is a toss front walkover. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by current Penn State Majorette, Bethany Williams. After High School she knows she wants to go to college but is not quite sure what she wants to major in yet. 

Fun Facts!

• Favorite Color – “Pastel colors, especially blue” (Dylan), Red (Sophie), Purple (Gabi), Yellow (Madisen), Red (Kinsey)
• Favorite Movie and/or TV Show – “Top Gun: Maverick” & “Psych” (Dylan), “Rick & Morty” (Sophie), “Goonies” (Gabi), “Glee” (Madisen), “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (Kinsey)
• Favorite Book – “Wonder” (Dylan), “Periji and Me” (Sophie), James Patterson’s “Women’s Murder Club” series (Gabi), “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (Madisen), “Echo” (Kinsey)
• Favorite Food Item – Coussins de Lyon (Dylan), Mac and Cheese (Sophie), Sushi (Gabi), “Bill Miller’s anything!” (Madisen), Potato Soup (Kinsey)

Favorite Quote(s)…

• Dylan - “Check and adjust” and “With friends like these, who needs enemies” (both said by Mr. Lipman) 
• Sophie – “Everything happens for a reason.”
• Gabi – “Be Kind. Do Good. Dream Big. Love Hard. Take Naps.”
• Madisen – “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”  ~ Lady Bird Johnson
• Kinsey – “Success is failure turned inside out.”

When they are not twirling, they love to…

• Dylan – “Relax and hang out with my team members.”
• Sophie – “Paint and cook.”
• Gabi – “Do Colorguard.”
• Madisen – “Sing, sing, sing!”
• Kinsey – “Dance at Cynergy Dance Studio and draw/sketch.”

Something people might not know about them is…

• Dylan – “I volunteered with the Schertz Humane Society when I was younger and have fostered/adopted out over 100 cats, kittens, and dogs throughout my life.”
• Sophie – “I am an only child.”
• Gabi – “I have a horse.”
• Madisen – “I am a Duchess for the San Antonio Lutheran Coronation and am in the process of making a 9-foot adorned train for Coronation in April 2023 made completely out of beads and rhinestones.  I am the Duchess of Warmth of Comfort and Culture for this 2023 Coronation.”
• Kinsey – “I've been dancing for 10 yrs and I've recently earned my ballet pointe shoes!”

The best non-twirling life skill they have gained from baton twirling is…

• Dylan – “Time management! Being involved in a champion band and twirling team while I’m also taking advanced level courses in school has truly taught me the importance of planning things out and making time for everything.”
• Sophie – “How to be a nurse.”
• Gabi – “There's always someone better than me that I can learn from.”
• Madisen – “I have learned that there are few days off when you really need to get better at your skill!”
• Kinsey – “It teaches me time management and to be organized (I wasn't before it to be honest)."

Most memorable advice from their Coach(es)…

• Dylan – “Sometimes, you need a good cry and to hit each end of the baton on the ground before picking it back up and trying it again.”
• Sophie – “Pull up!”
• Gabi – “Just be YOU out there.”
• Kinsey – “"I want you to come in like a brick through a glass window" is what she said to me when I got done with a twirl competition that I wasn't happy with, afterwards I hope I came into the next competitions, like a brick through a glass window!”

Best advice for future high school twirlers…

• Dylan – “If something scares you or doesn’t work, that’s exactly what you need to spend the most time on.” 
• Sophie – “Do lots of reps.”
• Gabi – “Have fun and stay humble.”
• Madisen – “Always stretch and breathe before twirling.”
• Kinsey – “Be nice and support each other!  Thats all you really have to do; it may not seem like much but it's really important even if you're on different teams, because there aren't many twirlers out there and we really need to stick together!  Some of my favorite twirl friends are on other teams and even from other states! Also, stretching is important as is time management as you get older!”

Favorite memory as a baton twirler…

• Dylan – “Performing my twirling part in our marching show at Lucas Oil Stadium during the Grand Nationals Finals competition.”
• Sophie – “Twirling in the Fiesta Flambeau parade.”
• Gabi – “Late night talks at Nationals.”
• Madisen – “My mom and dad always making faces or gestures to cheer me on before performing."
• Kinsey – “Being one of the Lion Cubs in Circle of life with the CTJ Band when I was in 6th grade and being the youngest twirler to perform at Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indy!”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler…

• Dylan – “During the 2021 Southwest Regionals pageant solo competition, I stepped on the back of my jazz shoe as I started my solo and performed the entire routine with the heel of my shoe off of my foot.”
• Sophie – “Knocking out a tooth.”
• Gabi – “Creating Mentos Tik Toks at AYOP 2022.”
• Madisen – “Twirling weekly with Gabi and her silly nature!”
• Kinsey – “I'd say my funniest memory was from this past state competition. I believe it was during my X-strut when it happened but in the middle of the routine I dropped my baton, and while I was running to grab it my foot kicked it further away which ended up coasting me some time, but hey, I still ended up in the top 5!”

Favorite thing about Marching Season…

• Dylan – “Football games. The atmosphere, the stand tunes, the football, the twirling, the crowd, the marching… everything about football games is truly incredible.”
• Sophie – “The people.”
• Gabi – “Being on the rifle line in the Colorguard.”
• Madisen – “The sound of the band and the great feeling from marching clarinet and twirling.”
• Kinsey – “Making new friends, every year I'm guessing you'd get to meet more and more people especially since you have to spend almost a whole month with them. Even though I've only been here for a few months, I'm already excited to meet younger people after me who have the same passion for band as I do!"

Favorite band tradition or inside joke…

• Dylan – “Before our Semi-finals and Finals performances at BOA San Antonio and the UIL Texas State competition, the entire brass section of the band makes a huge circle, holds hands, and sings the national anthem.”
• Sophie – “We get candy every game day.”
• Gabi – “Before going to perform/compete the Guard has "circle time". It is a special time for us to come together.”
• Madisen – “Everywhere we go, it seems everyone knows CTJ.  We always do unique shows.  Look out for Matt the Cat!  Mr. Lipman loves the twirling team!”
• Kinsey – “Every once in a while, during a 9 to 9 or just a Saturday practice, when we're on our lunch break we like to walk to sonic and order drinks and ice cream. It's super fun and enjoyable when your friends are making silly jokes along the way.”

What they will miss the most when marching season is over…

• Dylan – “The thing I’ll miss most after marching season will probably be football games. Looking forward to the game every week is really exciting, and I love being at the games with my band family.” 
• Sophie – “The people.”
• Gabi – “Performing in the Alamodome.”
• Madisen – “Everyone being together almost every day, and that this is the last year my brother and I will be in band together because he is a senior!”
• Kinsey – “I'll miss all of the goofy tan lines we get during band camp!”

We want to thank these ladies for sharing their Game Day with us, and we with them a wonderful rest of their football and marching band season. Go Jags!

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.