Friday Night Lights Feature - Richardson High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

It was another wonderful week with those Friday Night Lights, and a great way to kick off September! 

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 next Friday Night Lights Feature is the Richardson High School Feature Twirler!

Richardson High School, located in Richardson, Texas, can be found a little north of Dallas. It is the home of the Eagles, and the first RHS Feature Twirler in over 25 years, Ashlyn Cohen! 

We asked how Ashlyn was able to bring twirling back to RHS, and she told us she had the right band director to make it happen. “Since there hadn't been a twirler in a long time before myself, I contacted my band director in spring of my 8th grade year. I later submitted a video recording of my baton twirling skills. We worked with my band director that summer to find a way to integrate me into the program. I am very thankful to have such an amazing band staff who has provided so much support over the last four years.”

Throughout her four years Ashlyn has developed a lot of spirit, not just for her school, but for her entire District! “Richardson ISD ranks among the most diverse school districts in the country. Our school district has a motto, which is "Diversity strengthens us". I love seeing and being a part of many different students with all different backgrounds uniting to be a part of so many different groups, performing ensembles, clubs, etc."

Being the Feature Twirler, Ashlyn gets a front row seat to Game Days and many of the big RHS traditions, so we had to ask what her favorites were. “My school has a huge homecoming parade every year! The City of Richardson blocks off Belt Line Road, one of the busiest streets in the city, for the event! Almost every club, sport and group from our High School, Junior High Schools and Elementary Schools participate! I've participated in the parade every year since I was in Kindergarten and attended every year before then (even when I was only 10 months old). I can't believe this year will mark my last parade of many, but I am so excited for one last homecoming celebration!”

With this being Ashlyn’s Senior Season, she finally gets to do all of the senior traditions, including their Senior band chant. “At every game we do a dismissal game led by the drum majors. Following that dismissal there is a chant that only seniors say. It feels like yesterday I was a freshman watching the seniors doing their chant but I am so excited to get to participate in that this year!” 

As Ashlyn’s time as RHS comes to an end, we wanted to know what she was looking forward to the most this Fall, and she said it is absolutely the October 31st game. “It's not only Halloween, but also senior night and I'll be signing the national anthem as a duet alongside one of my good friends. We have never had a Halloween game while I have been a student at RHS so I am very excited to experience this!”

Now that we have heard more about twirling at RHS, let’s learn more about Ashlyn!

Ashlyn Cohen, Senior
Ashlyn has been twirling for 8 years, and she is currently coached by Aidyn Mentry. The win she is the proudest of was when her band won the US Bands Southwestern Championship in 2023. “I was in the UIL show that year and had featured parts. It was an honor to have been a part of the show and group. I made so many memories, and I'll never forget the feeling of hearing our band being called first place that year!” Her favorite trick is anything with two-baton, “specifically, I love big little tosses with spins or other tricks underneath!” In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coach, former University of Texas Feature Twirler Aidyn Mentry. “She is very accomplished in the sport and never fails to amaze the crowd when she performs. She always helps build my confidence and reminds me that anything is possible if you put the work in. We never end a lesson without a laugh (mostly after a baton hits a tree or mailbox). I couldn't be more grateful to have her as my coach!” After High School she plans to attend college to double major in vocal music education and psychology. “Twirling in college is definitely on my radar but I plan to prioritize my education first, then see if the school I end up in has a twirling line/ position.” 

Fun Facts!

• Favorite color: Pink
• Favorite TV show/movie: Dolphin Tale 2
• Favorite book: The Outsiders

Must-have Game Day snack/drink: 
“Starbucks Vanilla Latte with cinnamon steamed and an extra shot of espresso - just a couple hours before kickoff!” 

Favorite Quote or Life Motto: 
“There is a quote that I read almost every day as it is right above the entrance of the fine arts of my school. It reads "To make a difference, you have to do something different.” -Stephen Marbury”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“I love to sing and play flute and piano. I teach music lessons 4 days a week to over 20 elementary and middle school students. I love my job and it very fulfilling!” 

Something people may not know about her… 
“I love to rock climb! It is so refreshing to have an outlet to solve problems on a wall and build strength at the same time. I enjoy going to my local rock-climbing gym multiple times a week and I find it helps build a lot of strength that helps great amounts for twirling.” 

The best life lesson she has learned from twirling is…
“I've learned countless skills through twirling, specifically being a high school twirler in band. Being in band has taught me so much about time management and teamwork. I was honored to have been in my school's UIL Marching Band show my sophomore and junior year of high school. Those two marching shoes were the most developmental experiences I have yet to have within my entire life. I learned what it's like to work with a group while also being held accountable for my own actions as the only twirler. I made so many memories that I will hold forever but also grew so much as both a performer and a person. I learned that good things come from so much work, but the hard work is always worth it.” 

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“Take it all in and enjoy every moment. It really does fly by so fast. Take in every performance like it's your last and never take your position for granted. Remember that twirling on the field isn't just about your skill or your ability, but about enjoying yourself and allowing others to enjoy your performance. Smile like your life depends on it and never stop being grateful for your opportunity.” 

Her funniest memory as a twirler…
“My junior year I was performing with the band for a new staff member performance. I was front and center when I tossed for a 1 turn and somehow completely fell out of my spin and ended up on the concrete  rolling over my baton. When I tried to get up I was a little winded from the fall and fell again! I got up again and kept performing. Later that afternoon a couple of freshmen came up to me to tell me that they "had no idea twirlers had tricks where they rolled on the ground". It wasn't my most glamorous moment, but it makes me laugh every time I think about it!”

Her favorite thing about marching season… 
“I love spending time with my friends! Though I am in band for concert season as well, marching season is so fun when everyone comes together to work hard and do what we love most. I also love interacting with kids or anyone who approaches me at games or other events. I enjoy teaching figure 8's and tosses to anyone who wants to learn!” 

What will she miss the most when marching season ends… 
“I would have to say spending so much time with all of my favorite people as well as the feeling of school spirit and excitement. I have two older sisters and grew up attending almost every high school football game since I was a baby. I can't imagine fall Friday nights without RHS football games, but I am so excited to see what is to come on Fall and Winter Saturdays in college!” 

We want to thank Ashlyn for sharing her Friday with us (even if it was late and rainy!) and we want to wish her an amazing rest of her Senior Year! Way to go Ashlyn, and Talons Up!

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.