Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
Another great weekend of twirling means we are past the halfway point with football season. Can you believe it? Only a few more weeks with these amazing twirlers representing on their High School fields. We hope all of you are enjoying it while it lasts. We know we will miss it! In the meantime, we have another Feature Interview with some of our awesome Texas Twirlers for your reading enjoyment this lovely Tuesday.
This week’s Friday Night Lights Feature is the Woodrow Wilson High School Twirlers!
Woodrow Wilson High School is located in Dallas, Texas, and is the home of the Wildcats. Its is also the home of two wonderful Texas Twirlers, Izzy Pell & Evelyn Henry! While rocking the red, white, and grey, these twirlers wow the Woodrow community each Friday, and we can’t wait to learn more about them.
We asked the girls what the audition process was like, and Izzy had a very unique situation. “As a freshman I was the first twirler at Woodrow in over 40 years. I had to discuss the idea with my new band director, who was luckily very excited to have a twirler and after that I was the new feature twirler.” Luckily Izzy made a great impression, and when it was time for Evelyn to come to Woodrow, the process was a little simpler. “Since our school did not have twirlers before Izzy came 2 years ago, there was not an audition process since the sport was so new to the administration, so I just talked to the band director!”
Both of these twirlers love their school, especially the actual building! As Izzy tells us, “I love the architecture of Woodrow. It was built in 1928 and has beautiful red brick as well as a different style you don’t see very often.” Evelyn especially loves it when the campus gets decorated for events. “During homecoming week, each grade gets to decorate a hallway in their class color, and then we get to walk through the hallways throughout homecoming week.”
They even have some fun facts to share about their school! Did you know they call Woodrow Wilson Heisman High? Izzy told us the back story. “A fun fact about out high schools is our nickname is Heisman High because we were the first high school in the nation to be home to two Heisman Trophy winners: Davey O'Brien (1938) and Tim Brown (1987). We are still the only public high school in the U.S. to have that distinction.” How cool is that?
The girls also have a personal twirling connection to Woodrow. “Our beloved coach, Miss Shirley, also went to Woodrow, and although she was not a twirler since there was no feature position, she was still on the drill team.”
Finally, we had to know the best traditions at Woodrow! Izzy told us about one that is super special for the seniors. “At the end of football games all band, sweethearts (our drill team), and cheer senior go out on to the field with the football team. They line up, holding pinkies and sway to the alma mater as the band plays it. I not only love watching it, but it is something I look forward to being able to do as a senior.”
Evelyn also loves the camaraderie of the student body during games. “At the beginning of the 3rd quarter, our school does something called “class calls”. The drumline plays a cadence, and the cheerleaders say, “Hey freshman are you ready?” and the freshman respond, “Hell yeah!” Then they dance around, and repeat with the rest of the grades, ending with: “Hey Wildcats, are you ready?” I love how you can be really loud, and the whole student section does it together!”
Now that we have learned more about life at WWHS, let’s learn more about the twirlers!
Izzy Pell, Junior
Competition Level: Advanced
Izzy has been twirling for 9 years. She is a member of the Texas Touch of Class and is coached by Sheila Payne Rigelsky. The competition title Izzy is the proudest of earning is Junior Miss Majorette of the Southwest. Her favorite competition trick is a horiz. one spin illusion catch on the back, and her favorite field trick is any kind of traveling trick under a toss, or rolls, “especially elbow pops or back necks”. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coach that is no longer with us, Shirley Payne. “Miss Shirley inspired me the most. She coached so many amazing twirlers that went on to become so successful. She never listened to excuses and always pushed us to be our best!” After High School she hopes to twirl in college. “I hope to be at the perfect college for me where I am not only able to twirl and represent my school but also have a great community of people to surround myself with and classes that interest me.”
Evelyn Henry, Sophomore
Competition Level: Intermediate
Evelyn has been twirling for 8 years. She is a member of the Texas Touch of Class and is coached by Sheila Payne Rigelsky. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was when she was named the Beginner 10-12 Texas State Pageant Winner. Here favorite competition trick is a two-spin illusion, with a backhand illusion, and her favorite field trick is a toss-walkover. In baton twirling, she has also been most inspired by her coach that is no longer with us, Shirley Payne. “Miss Shirley went to many lengths to make sure we were prepared to present our best selves to the judges, while also giving us useful tips for the real world as well! After High School, Evelyn hopes to twirl in college, and hopefully go into the broadcasting field! “I’m not sure what college yet, but I know I’ll end up at a great place!”
Fun Facts!
Now that we have learned more about life at WWHS, let’s learn more about the twirlers!
Competition Level: Advanced
Izzy has been twirling for 9 years. She is a member of the Texas Touch of Class and is coached by Sheila Payne Rigelsky. The competition title Izzy is the proudest of earning is Junior Miss Majorette of the Southwest. Her favorite competition trick is a horiz. one spin illusion catch on the back, and her favorite field trick is any kind of traveling trick under a toss, or rolls, “especially elbow pops or back necks”. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coach that is no longer with us, Shirley Payne. “Miss Shirley inspired me the most. She coached so many amazing twirlers that went on to become so successful. She never listened to excuses and always pushed us to be our best!” After High School she hopes to twirl in college. “I hope to be at the perfect college for me where I am not only able to twirl and represent my school but also have a great community of people to surround myself with and classes that interest me.”
Competition Level: Intermediate
Evelyn has been twirling for 8 years. She is a member of the Texas Touch of Class and is coached by Sheila Payne Rigelsky. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was when she was named the Beginner 10-12 Texas State Pageant Winner. Here favorite competition trick is a two-spin illusion, with a backhand illusion, and her favorite field trick is a toss-walkover. In baton twirling, she has also been most inspired by her coach that is no longer with us, Shirley Payne. “Miss Shirley went to many lengths to make sure we were prepared to present our best selves to the judges, while also giving us useful tips for the real world as well! After High School, Evelyn hopes to twirl in college, and hopefully go into the broadcasting field! “I’m not sure what college yet, but I know I’ll end up at a great place!”
Fun Facts!
- Favorite Color: Purple (Izzy), Blue (Evelyn)
- Favorite TV show or Movie: New Girl (Izzy), Little Women (Evelyn)
- Favorite Book or Podcast: Dumpling (Izzy), Six of Crows (Evelyn)
- Favorite Food or Drink: Lemonade and mac and cheese (Izzy), Pasta (Evelyn)
Favorite Quote or Life Motto:
When they are not twirling, they love to...
- Izzy – “Everything happens for a reason.”
- Evelyn – “It’s not a good practice unless you end up on the floor!”
When they are not twirling, they love to...
- Izzy – “I love to bake! Recently I found out I’m gluten intolerant which has definitely challenged me with baking but it’s fun to experiment with different recipes.”
- Evelyn – “Go out to eat with friends make TikToks!”
Something people might not know about them...
- Izzy – “When I was younger, I tried a lot of sports before settling on twirling. I played soccer, basketball and did ballet and tap.”
- Evelyn – “I also participate in the theatre program at Woodrow, and we are preparing for our fall play right now!"
- Izzy – “The ability to hold a conversation with someone I don’t know. The interview aspect of modeling has helped me to think on my feet as well as make sure I look people in the eye and am engaging while I talk to them.”
- Evelyn – “The ability to keep going, even when you drop the baton or make a mistake. In life, things happen, and you can’t always control them, so take it in stride, and keep smiling!”
Most memorable advice from their coach...
- Izzy – “Just go out there and have fun! When I was younger I performed at the Harlem Globe Trotters. I was so incredibly nervous, but right before I went on my coach told me it didn’t matter what anyone else thought, I just needed to go out and have fun and enjoy the opportunity. I continue to think about this every game day and competition.”
- Evelyn – “It’s okay to be nervous, because if you’re not nervous, it means you don’t care.”
- Izzy – “Football games are meant to be fun! Of course, it’s nerve racking to perform in front of so many people, but you’re not competing, you’re performing. As long as you smile and have fun everyone will enjoy your performance, even if you drop. The feeling before and after field performances is something you’ll always remember so make sure to take it all in.”
- Evelyn – “Always be flexible! Things can change or be added very quickly, so it’s good to learn to take them in stride, while having a smile on your face.”
Funniest memory as a baton twirler...
- Izzy – “At one of our performances there was a dunk tank and our band director decided to let us try and dunk her. Everyone for 3 balls, but no one could hit the target, so after the last person had gone, we all ran up and dunked her ourselves.”
- Evelyn – “After the Halloween game last year, a couple of us went to IHOP for breakfast food. It was late at night, and we were still in our Halloween costumes!”
Favorite thing about marching season...
- Izzy – “Marching season is all about football games and that’s my favorite part. I love the thrill I experience every single game before half time!”
- Evelyn – “I love the bus rides where we listen to Taylor Swift on the way to our games!”
- Izzy – “After half time at every home game the drum majors along with a few selected band members go to the opposing team’s side. The drum majors put together a good luck gift which they give to the band and then they interview them with something called “hey band”. Each member from the other school’s band is interviewed. Our drum major says, “hey band” to which we respond, “hey what”. The drum major then asks the members name, instrument, favorite ice cream flavor, and if they’re single or taken. It is such a fun way to meet people from other schools.”
- Evelyn – “During the football games, we have multiple stand tunes and drum cadences that have fun dance moves that the whole band does together.”
Something they are really looking forward to this school year...
- Izzy – “I love twirling UIL! It’s so much fun learning a short new routine to a fun song. Our band directors and some friends always come to watch and even bring signs to cheer us on!”
- Evelyn – “I am excited to travel with the band to Austin for the state UIL contest, because last year was super fun.”
What will they miss the most when marching season is over?
- Izzy – “I will miss the late-night dinners after football games. Although we are normally all exhausted, so many of my favorite memories are from after games.”
- Evelyn – “I will miss the football games in general! The environment is so fun, and I love performing for everyone during halftimes.”
We really enjoyed following these two WWHS Feature Twirlers on their Game Day adventure, and we wish Izzy & Evelyn a wonderful rest of their football season. Go Wildcats!
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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