Friday Night Lights Feature - Bullard High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

We have returned and those Friday Night Lights are back to brighten up our weeks! We could not be happier to see twirlers all over Texas back on the field, and we can’t wait to see many more amazing moments as football season continues. As those Friday Night Lights turn on each week, we hope to see everyone continue to enjoy the sights and sounds of football teams, marching bands, and our favorite, lots of talented Texas baton twirlers! 

Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our social media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

This season’s first Friday Night Lights Feature is the Bullard High School Twirlers!

Bullard High School is located in Bullard, Texas, a small-town south of Tyler that is known for the Bluebonnet flower and even has a Bluebonnet Festival each October. It is also home to a lot of great baton twirling! Friday evening, we got to follow along for a Game Day at BHS through their Insta-story Takeover. Today we get to learn more about being a Panther with the Bullard High School Twirlers: Emma Tylich (Feature Twirler), Natalie Donnell (Head Twirler), Peyton Cutright, Kennedy Swanson, Maggie Fails, Kaylee Todd, Keyleigh Ferry, Haylee Stanley, Molly Chatham, Aubree Johnson, Kate Johnston, Rhyse Jones, and Brooke Kindle!

In order to become a BHS Twirler, they had to go through the audition process. Those interested in auditioning for the line or feature begin preparing very early. Then, approximately 1-3 weeks prior to auditions, they learn a group routine and perform both the group routine and a solo for the judges. Feature twirler auditions have an additional prepared field performance. 

One of their favorite traditions that they look forward to the most each fall is Homecoming! “We decorate halls, have fun dress up days, a homecoming parade and bonfire!” Another fun tradition is The Den. “This is a student organized spirit group that cheers on our teams!” The BHS twirlers also love football games, pep rallies, and “making up dances to all the pop tunes we play!”

Now that we have heard more about twirling at BHS, let’s learn more about the twirlers!

Emma Tylich, Senior/Feature Twirler

Emma has been twirling for 7 years. She twirls with Bullard HS line and Twirl Revolutions, both coached by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was the TPU Grand Champion Premier Performer. Her favorite competition trick is a toss cartwheel, and her favorite field trick is “lots of 3-baton!” In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by SFA Feature Twirler, Kellen Coke. “She’s absolutely perfect and who I strive to be!” After High School, Emma plans to continue to twirl and study radiology. 

• Favorite color: Pink
• Favorite TV show/movie: “After”
• Favorite author: Susane Colanski
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: “Chips and lots of water!” 
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Hang out with my friends and family.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I absolutely love any animal.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “Always talk to as many people as you can.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Get on your toes!”
• Advice to future high school twirlers…“Don’t rush it. I will always remember walking on to the field my first time in middle school.” 
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “All of my fails.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Being under the lights on Friday nights and hearing everyone cheer!”

Natalie Donnell, Senior/Head Twirler

Natalie has been twirling for 5 years. She is a member of the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions NBTA Team, which are both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of was winning the 2025 Southwest Regionals 16+ Basic Skills Pageant. Her favorite competition trick is an illusion one-turn, and her favorite field trick is a toss roll. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her Coach, Mrs. Coke! “She is our biggest cheerleader and always pushes us to be the best we can be!” After High School, she would “love to twirl in college if it is in God's plan for me! I want to go to college to get my RN and become a labor and delivery nurse!”

• Favorite color: Pink
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Wicked”
• Favorite author: “I love any book by Frida McFadden!”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: “Sweat Tea!” 
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Failure does not exist. Either you win, or you learn!”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Read & Shop!”
• Something people may not know about her… “I sing in the shower, and I talk in my sleep!”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “How to interview better for things like a job!”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Assume you’re wrong!”
• Advice to future high school twirlers…“Put in the effort and you will do AMAZING!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “Dropping a salute! LOL!”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Fun overnight trips with my best friends!”

Peyton Cutright, Senior

Peyton has been twirling for 5 ½ years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition wins that she is the proudest of are the first places she has earned at numerous contests. Her favorite competition trick and her favorite field trick are both a toss cartwheel. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coach, Jeri Coke. After High School, she hopes to attend TJC to study business and real estate and possibly twirl in college.

• Favorite color: Green
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Wicked” 
• Favorite author: Jennette McCurdy 
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Dr./ Pepper
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “You have to do a lot before you can do a little.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Hang out with my wonderful friends.”
• Something people may not know about her… “My favorite holiday is Halloween.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “Never overwork yourself; when you step away for a second, you usually do better after.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Always assume you’re wrong when being critiqued.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Live high school to the fullest because in the blink of an eye, you're a senior!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “Making jokes, all the twirling get togethers,  and having bonding moments.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Getting connected with the people who made you who you are!”

Kennedy Swanson, Senior

Kennedy has been twirling for 8 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and Twirl Revolutions line. “I am blessed to be coached by Jeri Coke for both of those teams!” The competition win she is the proudest of was when she earned first place for her solo! Her favorite competition tricks are anything with spins, and her favorite first trick is anything with a big toss, “because of all the applause we get!” In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by the BHS Feature Twirler, Emma Tylich. “She is always nonstop working and being helpful!” After High School, she hopes to attend Texas State University to study Sonography.

• Favorite color: Purple
• Favorite TV show/movie: “My favorite TV show is Stranger Things, and my favorite movie is The Notebook.”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: “Chex Mix and a Dr Pepper.”
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Don’t care what people think of you, just live your life and have fun!”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Help out at my church!”
• Something people may not know about her… “ I love anything colorful or sparkly!”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “It is okay to mess up as long as you learn and fix it.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Act confident in everything I do! It has really helped in not just twirling but also throughout my day!”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Things are going to be stressful and it will be hard at some points, but you have to push through it! Trust me it will be worth it in the end!!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “I was at a competition my sophomore year, and I was practicing when I hit my nose, and it was bleeding. I had to put a tampon up my nose to stop the bleeding.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Getting to perform on the field and have fun in the stands!”

Maggie Fails, Senior

Maggie has been twirling for 12 years. She 

I have twirled for: 12 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was Miss TPU (Twirl Productions). Her favorite competition trick is a toss illusion one turn, and her favorite field tricks are Two turns and toss illusions. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her competitors. “Their skill makes me want to be better!” After High School, she hopes to go to college and then become an EMT.

• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Transformers”
• Favorite book/author: “The Hunger Games”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Dr. Pepper
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “It’s not impossible, just difficult.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Hang out with friends.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I’m observant.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “To never say I can’t do something!”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “To never give up.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Work hard, but don’t forget to have fun!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “The stories behind all of our inside jokes.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “It is fun, and it’s also football season!”

Kaylee Todd, Junior

Kaylee has been twirling for 9 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition rating she is the proudest of earning was when she got a 1st division at UIL Twirling State. Her favorite competition trick is a 3 turn and her favorite field trick is a 2 turn. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coach. “She pushes me to be stronger!” After High School, she hopes to major in sonography or cosmetology.

• Favorite color: Baby Pink
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Grey’s Anatomy”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: “Dr. Pepper and Sour Patch Watermelon.”
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Play soccer.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I’ve played soccer since I was 6.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “The importance of technique.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Smile even if you’re uncomfortable.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “It’s not a game. Work hard; play hard!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “Dropping my beginning position.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Being with my friends and placing at state.”

Keyleigh Ferry, Sophomore

Keyleigh has been twirling for 4 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was when she got 1st place at a Twirl Productions contest. Her favorite competition trick is juggles, and her favorite field trick is a 2 turn. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by BHS Head Twirler, Natalie Donnell. “She is a very successful twirler and is still also very successful in school.” After High School, she hopes to attend ETBU and study education to be an elementary school teacher. “I have not yet decided whether I want to twirl in college or not.”

• Favorite color: Royal Blue
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Full House”
• Favorite book/author: The “Powerless” series
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Dr. Pepper
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “No pain; no gain.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Read my books or go shopping.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I got baptized on my 15th birthday.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “No matter how hard you try, you can still fail, and that’s okay.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Just because you catch the tricks, doesn’t make you the best; it’s all about how you present yourself.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “GET ON YOUR TOES!!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “My funniest memory is Haylee and me always running like turtles trying to get to the bathrooms to change after a long game.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Getting to know the people you march with and just making more memories.”

Haylee Stanley, Sophomore

Haylee has been twirling for 3 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. Her favorite competition tricks are rolls, and her favorite field trick is a toss bow. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Mrs. Coke. “She is an amazing teacher and baton twirler.” After High School, she hopes to stay near Tyler for college and study to become a labor and delivery nurse.

• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Young Sheldon”
• Favorite book/author: “I enjoyed Lord of the Flies.”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Dr. Pepper
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Play games with my family.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I love card/board games, and I like being organized.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “How to do my hair and makeup well.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Get on your toes!”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Be prepared because it entails a lot more than middle school!”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “Getting food with my team before practice. We always have a bunch of laughs!”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Marching at competitions and hopefully winning.”

Molly Chatham, Freshman

Molly has been twirling for 8 years. She twirls with the Bullard High School Twirlers, that are coached by Jeri Coke, and she also twirls at Velocity Twirl and Dance, where she is coached by Rachel Cheatham. Her favorite competition trick is a 2 turn, and her favorite field trick is a 1 turn. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her Aunt/Coach, Rachel Cheatham, “because she teaches me a lot.” After High School, she hopes to go to A&M.

• Favorite color: Pink
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Cars I”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Dr. Pepper and Sun Chips or Cheetos 
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Do the things that make you happy.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Hang out with friends and family.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I like to sing.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “Keep trying!”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Even if you catch it once, keep doing it until you don’t ever drop it.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Pay attention, work hard and have some kind of planner because you are always doing something.”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “Anything that Brooke says or does will make her and me laugh.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Hanging out with my friends.”

Aubree Johnson, Freshman

Aubree has been twirling for 5 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was when she was named the Circle of Champions Top Twirler. Her favorite competition trick is 3-Baton, and her favorite field tricks are 3-Baton juggles or boxes. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her mom. “She thinks I can do well and compete in different things.”

• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Young Sheldon” or “The Bee Movie”
• Favorite book/author: “Wish” 
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: “Dr. Pepper and Nerd Clusters.”
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Stay positive!”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Be on my phone.”
• Something people may not know about her… “That I love to drive my car, and I love twirling.”
• The best lesson she has learned from twirling is… “That I can juggle tennis balls!”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “The people!”

Kate Johnston, Freshman

Kate has been twirling for 5 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was when she was named Premier Performer and won 1st place at the Jacksonville Twirling Competition. Her favorite competition trick is a 2 turn catch left, and her favorite field trick is juggling. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by challenging herself to do harder tricks and routines, entertaining the crowd, and having a good time!

• Favorite color: Teal
• Favorite TV show/movie: “The Voice”
• Favorite book/author: “When the World Was Ours”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Water
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Play basketball, art, hang out with my friends, family, and dogs.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I’ve saved and raised a baby squirrel.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “If you put your mind to it you can do anything.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Smile and keep twirling. Don't let anyone know if you had a bad performance.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Support your team; you’re all in this together, and don’t stop smiling if you mess up.”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “In middle school the band started playing for us to walk on but none of us knew we were supposed to go so we sprinted out there after the band stopped playing while the band directors had no idea what was going on.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “I love to perform on Friday nights with the whole band and seeing it all come together.”

Rhyse Jones, Freshman

Rhyse has been twirling for 4 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition win she is the proudest of was when she won first place in her solo. Her favorite competition trick is a 1 baton sit roll, and her favorite field tricks are 1 and 2 turns. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Chloe Holliday. “She never gave up trying, and now she is the first NFL Twirler for the Tennessee Titans!”

• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite TV show/movie: Home Alone 1, 2, & 3 
• Favorite book/author: “Because of Winn Dixie”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: Dr. Pepper
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “Keep trying when it gets hard. You can do it.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Hang out with my friends.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I just recently learned three baton.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “When things get hard, keep going because it’s easy to step away from something but hard to come back.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Don’t get involved in any drama.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “When your coach or head twirler says to listen, you listen.”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “All of the SFA camps that we go to.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “Getting to march in front of everyone in the stands and getting to twirl in front of them.”

Brooke Kindle, Freshman

Brook has been twirling for 8 years. She twirls with the Bullard HS line and the Twirl Revolutions line, both taught by Jeri Coke. The competition title she is the proudest of was when her team won first place in Small Team Multi-Baton. Her favorite competition trick is 2 baton juggles, and her favorite field trick is a toss bow. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her sister. “She was the feature twirler last year and a great twirler!” After High School, she hopes to study psychiatry.

• Favorite color: Purple
• Favorite TV show/movie: “Stranger Things”
• Must-have Game Day snack/drink: “Any candy and Sprite.”
• Favorite Quote or Life Motto: “If at first you don’t succeed, try again.”
• When she is not twirling, she loves to… “Draw or hang out with friends and family.”
• Something people may not know about her… “I have 3 siblings.”
• The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is… “Determination is a good trait to have.”
• The most memorable advice from her coach… “Keep practicing and you’ll see lots of improvement.”
• Advice to future high school twirlers… “Practice pays off.”
• Her funniest memory as a twirler… “One time during a competition Molly had a cupcake and she dropped it on her baton, so her baton was covered in icing.”
• Her favorite thing about marching season… “The pretty sunrise in the morning practices.”

We want to say thank you to the Bullard High School twirlers for sharing their game day with us, and we hope they all have an amazing rest of their season. Go Panthers! BPOD!

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.