Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
We just love that College Football is back in full swing and has included some awesome field twirling. We loved getting to follow along with this Twirler through her Instastory Takeover, and now we are excited to have her as this week’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight.
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!
Our first Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is on the Southern Methodist University Feature Twirler!
We just love that College Football is back in full swing and has included some awesome field twirling. We loved getting to follow along with this Twirler through her Instastory Takeover, and now we are excited to have her as this week’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight.
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!
Our first Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is on the Southern Methodist University Feature Twirler!
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Southern Methodist University is located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, and is the home of the Best Dressed Band in the Land, and their centerpiece, “The Doll”. The position of the SMU Feature Twirler, known as “the Doll”, has been held by a long history of amazing Texas twirlers. Many State, Regional, and National titles have come home to SMU. Continuing the legacy of excellence is the current “Doll”, Sophia Dinubilo!
One thing about SMU is that tradition runs deep, especially the name “The Doll”. “The tradition with the SMU feature twirler is that she is the only non musical performer with the band. She is called The Doll because for many years from the 1940s-1970s the band was all male and the twirler was the only female allowed on the field at halftime. They were referred to as “96 guys and a doll”.” Another SMU Band tradition is being called “The Best Dressed Band in the Land” because we have so many options for band uniforms! The band also really likes their beanies. “The best tradition within my band program is the beanies! Every freshman gets a personalized beanie that they keep and periodically wear throughout all four (or more) years in band. Don’t lose your beanie!”
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In order to become “The Doll”, Sophia had to go through the SMU audition process. “I was asked to submit a video with field and competition performances and a comprehensive resume focused on twirling goals and accomplishments. I was then invited for an in person audition and I had to prepare a 2-3 minute field appropriate multiple baton routine as well as a routine to the fight song. Often past SMU feature twirlers come and judge with the band directors and after the tryout routines are completed you have a one on one interview with the band directors and other judges in the conference room.”
Earning this position seems to be a dream come true, so we wanted to know what brought Sophia to SMU, and she said it had been something she wanted since she was little! “Twirling for SMU had been my dream since I was very young and went to a game. It has the most beautiful campus I’d ever seen and I was amazed as we walked down the boulevard to see people “boulevarding” under beautiful tents with silver, crystal and china! I love that it is located right in the middle of a super exciting city, Dallas, and is also only 3 hours away from home, so my parents are able to come to every home game!”
While the beautiful campus and Game Day excitement brought Sophia to SMU, it was the atmosphere of the school that made her choice easy! “There are many, many things that I love about my school. One thing I really appreciate is that the students at SMU come from all over the country so you are able to get different perspectives and points of view from where you grew up. Since we are a medium sized private university my class sizes have always been pretty small compared to other institutions. I’ve never had to sit in a lecture hall with more than 100 other students, so I’m able to form relationships with my professors and other students in my college very easily. Also, we are located in the middle of Dallas which is a very business-oriented city with lots of opportunities!”
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We asked Sophia to explain her use of the word “boulevarding”, which is what she says is the best tradition at SMU! “We don’t tailgate in the parking lot. Instead, we have pregame activities in tents along the beautiful oak tree lined boulevard. Before the football team walks into the fieldhouse facility to get ready for the game, the drum line and The Doll lead a march down the Boulevard for fans to watch the team walk in and cheer!” The SMU live mascot is another important game day tradition. “We are the SMU Mustangs, so we have a live mascot that is a black Shetland pony named Peruna. He is super cute and feisty! This started over 90 years ago in 1932. We are on Peruna # 9 right now!”
Finally, we wanted to know what Sophia is looking forward to the most this season, and of course it involves her family! “I am looking forward to many things this fall. From the first game to the last. But I especially love family weekends! There are tons of fun activities all weekend and I get to see not only my family but also my best friends’ parents. Everyone has so much fun catching up and spending time together and the football game is the highlight of this great weekend! I’m always sad when family weekend is over and our families have to leave and go back home.”
Now that we have heard about life at SMU, let’s learn more about Sophia!
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Sophia has been twiring since she was 7 years old and has been competing in the advanced division since she was 10. “So I’ve been twirling for over half of my life!!!” She is a member of the Mickey’s Majorettes and is coached by Patti Mickey and Kayli Mickey-McIntosh. In competition, she is proud to have won both Miss Majorette of The Southwest and Miss Majorette of Texas as well as State and/or Regional titles in x-strut, solo, 2 baton, 3 baton, rhythmic twirl, and duet. “Every advanced state and/or regional title! Whew!” Sophia’s favorite competition trick is a 5 spin, and her favorite field trick is a leap walkover or elbow pops into the splits! “Big crowd pleasers every time!” In baton twirling she has been most inspired by her previous duet partner, Jacie Conway! “We did a duet together for 7 years that started when I was 12 and she was 8. It was like being married! We went through lots of ups and downs over the years, but we stuck together and had the honor of being members of Team USA in 2023- placing 4th in duet at Nations Cup. We learned so much and made so many great memories together over the years! She will always be like a sister to me!” After College, Sophia is considering graduate school and eventually a career in the corporate world. “I am also planning to get my judges license as I’d like to stay involved in twirling with coaching and judging."
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Fun Facts!
“My favorite drink or snack, not just for game day but any day, is a pink drink! Everything is better in pink!”
Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“My favorite saying is “Life is Cruel to the Shy”. This saying is my dad's way of encouraging my brother and I to take chances and not miss out on or pass up opportunities just because we felt unsure or intimidated. I didn’t like it when I was younger but as I get older it’s definitely grown on me. Pretty timeless advice.”
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
"Be at the beach! I went on two different beach vacations this summer!"
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Something people might not know about her is…
“I'm not super fancy or fussy. I have a brother who is only a year younger than me, so I developed a pretty thick skin, and I like to tease and joke and laugh! I really appreciate when someone has a dry wit and can crack a good joke unexpectedly that catches me off guard!”
The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“By far the best life skill I’ve learned from twirling is perseverance. Just because something isn’t working out doesn’t mean you should give up. If you keep working long enough, you’ll get it! Things worth having are worth working for!!”
The most memorable advice from her coach...
“Some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten was from my coach Patti Mickey! She told me once when I was young and we were working on choreographing a routine “Don’t show them what you can’t do. Showcase what you do well!” This is great advice not just for twirling but life situations in general. I always think of that before I have an interview.”
- Favorite Color – “My favorite color is blue and red of course! Go Stangs! Pony Up!”
- Favorite TV Show – “This summer I’ve probably watched too much Black Mirror with my roommate! It’s addictive!”
- Favorite Book – “The most interesting book I’ve read recently is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Written over 60 years ago but still relevant today!”
“My favorite drink or snack, not just for game day but any day, is a pink drink! Everything is better in pink!”
Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“My favorite saying is “Life is Cruel to the Shy”. This saying is my dad's way of encouraging my brother and I to take chances and not miss out on or pass up opportunities just because we felt unsure or intimidated. I didn’t like it when I was younger but as I get older it’s definitely grown on me. Pretty timeless advice.”
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
"Be at the beach! I went on two different beach vacations this summer!"
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Something people might not know about her is…
“I'm not super fancy or fussy. I have a brother who is only a year younger than me, so I developed a pretty thick skin, and I like to tease and joke and laugh! I really appreciate when someone has a dry wit and can crack a good joke unexpectedly that catches me off guard!”
The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“By far the best life skill I’ve learned from twirling is perseverance. Just because something isn’t working out doesn’t mean you should give up. If you keep working long enough, you’ll get it! Things worth having are worth working for!!”
The most memorable advice from her coach...
“Some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten was from my coach Patti Mickey! She told me once when I was young and we were working on choreographing a routine “Don’t show them what you can’t do. Showcase what you do well!” This is great advice not just for twirling but life situations in general. I always think of that before I have an interview.”
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Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“My advice to aspiring college twirlers is to get as much time on the field as possible. If you can’t get field experience try to think about ways to get experience in front of crowds outside of competitions. Twirling in front of thousands of people at a game is exciting and exhilarating, but it feels very different than in a small gym at a competition. The more experience you can have performing in front of large unfamiliar crowds the more comfortable you’ll become!”
“My advice to aspiring college twirlers is to get as much time on the field as possible. If you can’t get field experience try to think about ways to get experience in front of crowds outside of competitions. Twirling in front of thousands of people at a game is exciting and exhilarating, but it feels very different than in a small gym at a competition. The more experience you can have performing in front of large unfamiliar crowds the more comfortable you’ll become!”
Favorite thing about marching season…
“One thing I love during football season is not just performing on the field but also the pre game atmosphere on the boulevard. After rehearsal, the band eats on the boulevard. The street is crowded full of Mustang fans. You can feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. I always try to walk down the boulevard before the team walk to see all the intricate tailgates and take pictures with game-goers! It reminds me of how lucky and grateful I am to be at SMU!”
What will she miss most when marching season is over…
“At the end of marching season I always miss the excitement of performing at the games and the excitement of watching the game ( I get into the games!) Even though I miss the excitement of football season, it’s also nice to have a little more free time in the Spring. I always take more hours in the Spring semester than in the Fall!”
Thanks to Sophia for sharing her awesome takeover. We really enjoyed learning more about SMU Game Days and seeing this wonderful twirler in action. Congrats Sophia, and we wish you a fantastic remainder of your season. Pony Up!
“One thing I love during football season is not just performing on the field but also the pre game atmosphere on the boulevard. After rehearsal, the band eats on the boulevard. The street is crowded full of Mustang fans. You can feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. I always try to walk down the boulevard before the team walk to see all the intricate tailgates and take pictures with game-goers! It reminds me of how lucky and grateful I am to be at SMU!”
What will she miss most when marching season is over…
“At the end of marching season I always miss the excitement of performing at the games and the excitement of watching the game ( I get into the games!) Even though I miss the excitement of football season, it’s also nice to have a little more free time in the Spring. I always take more hours in the Spring semester than in the Fall!”
Thanks to Sophia for sharing her awesome takeover. We really enjoyed learning more about SMU Game Days and seeing this wonderful twirler in action. Congrats Sophia, and we wish you a fantastic remainder of your season. Pony Up!
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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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