Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
Welcome to “Band-Tober” and all the fun that comes with a month full of marching band, football, and watching those collegiate twirlers rock it on Saturdays. We know today's twirlers did just that this past weekend and we loved following their Game Day experience on the Instastory Takeover.
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 Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is on the Kilgore College Twirlers!
Kilgore College, located in Kilgore, Texas, is the home of the Rangers and the East Texas Oil Museum, which tells the story of the 1930s East Texas oil boom and includes a full-scale recreation of an oil boomtown! It is also the home of the twirlers in Blue & White, the Kilgore College Twirlers! This year the KC Twirlers include Feature Twirler - Emelie Enriquez, and Line Twirlers Jayla Foster, Ray Garret, Tyranny Bridges, Cheyanne Currin, & Taylor Hudman.
Led by twirling coach Laney Hearon, we asked how the Kilgore Twirlers earned their positions, so they told us about their audition process. “Candidates meet the morning of auditions to learn a group routine. Once auditions begin, line candidates perform the group routine they learned that morning, along with a variety of multiple-baton tricks. Feature candidates perform a choreographed solo routine that showcases their grace, spirit, and stamina. The audition process allows us to see each candidate’s individual skills, performance ability, and ability to learn and adapt in a group setting.”
We wanted to know what led these twirlers to choose Kilgore College, and while they had many reasons, the academic options were a big factor. “I choose to attend Kilgore college because of the opportunity to attend college while still doing what I love. Also to note the 8-week course
schedule allows me to focus on a smaller class load at a time.”
schedule allows me to focus on a smaller class load at a time.”
With the spirit these twirlers have for their school, we had to find out what the best part of attending Kilgore College is, and the campus was a consistent favorite. “My favorite thing about Kilgore college is the campus. Staying on campus has given me a lot of time to explore. I enjoy being outside with my friends, reading and practicing at the park.”
The KCT’s have a great time as a unit, and have developed some fun traditions. “The best tradition to me is our Adopteds. By random we are assigned to a KCT alumni for mentorship and just to help us feel more welcome. My Adopted for my freshman year was Macy, a former feature twirler also! Macy made the whole season feel very special for me. I’m excited to meet whoever I have this year!”
Finally, we asked what they are most looking forward to this season, and it was definitely their time together. “This year I’m looking forward to sharing the field with my amazing teammates and for the opportunity to share what game day is like for us with other twirlers at our Twirler for a day game!”
Now that we have learned more about twirling at Kilgore, let’s learn about the Twirlers!
Now that we have learned more about twirling at Kilgore, let’s learn about the Twirlers!
FEATURE TWIRLER
Emelie is from Lincoln, California, and is majoring in Business Management. She has been twirling for 19 years and is a member of the Ambition Baton Club, a Coach for the Dixie Diamonds Baton Club, and has been coached by Mark Nash, Ella Nash, and currently, Lori Perkins. Her favorite twirling tricks are rolls and toss illusions, and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by Emily Perkins Lisenby and Carissa Wolfe. After college, she hopes to attend a cosmetology program to become a licensed aesthetician and continue coaching.
Favorites!
Favorite Colors – red and pink
Favorite TV Show or Movie – “Elemental” or “How I Met Your Mother”
Favorite Colors – red and pink
Favorite TV Show or Movie – “Elemental” or “How I Met Your Mother”
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink…
“Powerade, sour candies, and bananas.”
Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Always winning when you’re having fun.”
“Always winning when you’re having fun.”
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Hangout with friends, listen to music, and practice yoga.”
“Hangout with friends, listen to music, and practice yoga.”
Something people might not know about her…
“I love ducks and used to have 4 pet ducks before moving to Texas.”
“I love ducks and used to have 4 pet ducks before moving to Texas.”
The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Patience is a virtue and good things take time and effort.”
“Patience is a virtue and good things take time and effort.”
The most memorable advice from her coach…
“‘It doesn’t matter what happens today, just believe in yourself and your training and what’s meant to happen will.’ Competition or game days can be extra stressful and we forget to enjoy it. Trusting in yourself and having the confidence to get the job done is so important.”
“‘It doesn’t matter what happens today, just believe in yourself and your training and what’s meant to happen will.’ Competition or game days can be extra stressful and we forget to enjoy it. Trusting in yourself and having the confidence to get the job done is so important.”
Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Don’t be scared to take up space, be loud, ask questions, and focus on enjoying your time while in school.”
“Don’t be scared to take up space, be loud, ask questions, and focus on enjoying your time while in school.”
Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Once while at practice all 3 of my batons sporadically got stuck in the building gutters outside. We had to ask for help from the rec center employees to bring a ladder.”
“Once while at practice all 3 of my batons sporadically got stuck in the building gutters outside. We had to ask for help from the rec center employees to bring a ladder.”
What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“I’ll miss our home game wins! We perform the fight song at the very end of the game and our school song on the field with all of the players and cheer celebrating our win together!”
Jayla Foster, Sophomore
Jayla is from New London, Texas, and is majoring in early childhood education. She has been twirling for 10 years, and is coached by Laney Hearon with the KCTs. Her favorite twirling trick is a toss illusion, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Briyanna Blalock. After college she hopes to become an elementary school teacher.
“I’ll miss our home game wins! We perform the fight song at the very end of the game and our school song on the field with all of the players and cheer celebrating our win together!”
Jayla is from New London, Texas, and is majoring in early childhood education. She has been twirling for 10 years, and is coached by Laney Hearon with the KCTs. Her favorite twirling trick is a toss illusion, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Briyanna Blalock. After college she hopes to become an elementary school teacher.
Favorites!
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite TV Show, Book, or Movie – “Miss Congeniality” and “The Summer I Turned Pretty”
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite TV Show, Book, or Movie – “Miss Congeniality” and “The Summer I Turned Pretty”
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink…
“Yellow Gatorade and Goldfish.”
“Yellow Gatorade and Goldfish.”
Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.” - Maya Angelou
“If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.” - Maya Angelou
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Go on walks , bake, and build legos.”
“Go on walks , bake, and build legos.”
Something people might not know about her…
“I played tuba for 7 years.”
“I played tuba for 7 years.”
The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Don’t compare yourself to others, just do your best!”
“Don’t compare yourself to others, just do your best!”
The most memorable advice from her coach…
“Stop overthinking everything!”
“Stop overthinking everything!”
Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Don’t compare yourself to others and just have fun!”
“Don’t compare yourself to others and just have fun!”
Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Probably when I was doing my first solo and I forgot the whole thing I thought my whole world was over but now it just makes me laugh.”
“Probably when I was doing my first solo and I forgot the whole thing I thought my whole world was over but now it just makes me laugh.”
What will she miss the most when football season is over?
“Doing the fight song and celebrating with my team mates after winning a game.”
Ray Garrett, Sophomore
Ray is from Liberty City, Texas, and is majoring in English. She has been twirling for 9 years and is a member of KCT where she is coached by Laney Hearon. Her favorite twirling tricks include rolls, back hand one turn catch back hand, and most two baton tricks. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by “my best friend Brooklyn Maxwell, who is now a Feature Twirler at Texas State University.” After college, she hopes to become an esthetician.”
“Doing the fight song and celebrating with my team mates after winning a game.”
Ray is from Liberty City, Texas, and is majoring in English. She has been twirling for 9 years and is a member of KCT where she is coached by Laney Hearon. Her favorite twirling tricks include rolls, back hand one turn catch back hand, and most two baton tricks. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by “my best friend Brooklyn Maxwell, who is now a Feature Twirler at Texas State University.” After college, she hopes to become an esthetician.”
Favorites!
Favorite Color – Green
Favorite Show – The Walking Dead
Favorite Movie – 2016 TMNT
Favorite Book – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Favorite Color – Green
Favorite Show – The Walking Dead
Favorite Movie – 2016 TMNT
Favorite Book – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink…
“Root Beer!”
“Root Beer!”
Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“I do not exist to impress the world, I exist to live my life in a way that will make me happy.”
“I do not exist to impress the world, I exist to live my life in a way that will make me happy.”
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Play video games or read.”
“Play video games or read.”
Something people might not know about her…
“I enjoy poetry and often read it in my free time! William Blake is my favorite.”
“I enjoy poetry and often read it in my free time! William Blake is my favorite.”
The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Learning that criticism is not always bad and just because someone is giving me criticism does not mean they hate me.”
“Learning that criticism is not always bad and just because someone is giving me criticism does not mean they hate me.”
Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“It’s okay to not immediately catch a trick! Trying and practicing shows your dedication.”
“It’s okay to not immediately catch a trick! Trying and practicing shows your dedication.”
Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Pulling my hamstring from hitting the splits!”
“Pulling my hamstring from hitting the splits!”
What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“Not the practices in 5 million degree weather. I’ll miss being silly and getting ready together with
all the girls. We’re all very close.”
Tyranny Bridges, Sophomore
Tyranny is from Tatum, Texas, and is majoring in Business. She has been twirling for 9 years, and is a member of KCT where she is coached by Laney Hearon. Her favorite twirling tricks are Toss Cartwheels, Toss Illusions, and Leaps, and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by Marisha George. After college, she hopes to become a therapist or psychologist.
“Not the practices in 5 million degree weather. I’ll miss being silly and getting ready together with
all the girls. We’re all very close.”
Tyranny is from Tatum, Texas, and is majoring in Business. She has been twirling for 9 years, and is a member of KCT where she is coached by Laney Hearon. Her favorite twirling tricks are Toss Cartwheels, Toss Illusions, and Leaps, and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by Marisha George. After college, she hopes to become a therapist or psychologist.
Favorites!
Favorite Color - Blue
Favorite TV Show – Ted Lasso
Favorite Color - Blue
Favorite TV Show – Ted Lasso
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink…
“Gatorade/ Lemonade.”
“Gatorade/ Lemonade.”
Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Be curious not judgmental” -Ted Lasso
“Be curious not judgmental” -Ted Lasso
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Read, blast music, and go dancing.”
“Read, blast music, and go dancing.”
Something people might not know about her…
“I enjoy writing poetry.”
“I enjoy writing poetry.”
The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Knowing that sometimes you need a break, but also understanding that taking a break does not mean you have to quit.”
“Knowing that sometimes you need a break, but also understanding that taking a break does not mean you have to quit.”
The most memorable advice from her coach…
“Just because you don’t THINK you’re good enough, there’s a bunch of people who KNOW you’re more than good enough.”
“Just because you don’t THINK you’re good enough, there’s a bunch of people who KNOW you’re more than good enough.”
Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Don’t give up on yourself before you have the chance to achieve your dreams. Obstacles don’t mean failure, they give you the chance to grow as a person and a twirler.”
“Don’t give up on yourself before you have the chance to achieve your dreams. Obstacles don’t mean failure, they give you the chance to grow as a person and a twirler.”
Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Completely messing up our tryout routine, but feeling so comfortable and confident that day that I just laughed through it. That was when our “team” felt more like a family than anything else!!”
“Completely messing up our tryout routine, but feeling so comfortable and confident that day that I just laughed through it. That was when our “team” felt more like a family than anything else!!”
What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“Getting to see my girls everyday, getting wayyy too involved with the game and yelling at the players, and getting to twirl to our amazing Ranger Band.”
Cheyanne Currin, Freshman
Cheyanne is from Mount Enterprise, Texas, and is majoring in Early Childhood Education. She has been twirling for 10 years and is a member of KCT where she is coached by Laney Hearon. Her favorite twirling trick is a toss illusion, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by KCT Feature Twirler, Emilie, “because even with me being hurt she still helps me stay on track with my twirling.” After college, she hopes to become an elementary teacher and then get her degree in child psychology so she can do cps work.
“Getting to see my girls everyday, getting wayyy too involved with the game and yelling at the players, and getting to twirl to our amazing Ranger Band.”
Cheyanne is from Mount Enterprise, Texas, and is majoring in Early Childhood Education. She has been twirling for 10 years and is a member of KCT where she is coached by Laney Hearon. Her favorite twirling trick is a toss illusion, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by KCT Feature Twirler, Emilie, “because even with me being hurt she still helps me stay on track with my twirling.” After college, she hopes to become an elementary teacher and then get her degree in child psychology so she can do cps work.
Favorites!
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite TV Show, Movie, or Book – “Winnie the Pooh”
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite TV Show, Movie, or Book – “Winnie the Pooh”
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink…
“Coca Cola & gummies.”
“Coca Cola & gummies.”
Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“You can have a bad day today but tomorrow is always a new day.”
“You can have a bad day today but tomorrow is always a new day.”
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Paint, bake sweets, go fishing, & ride four wheelers.”
“Paint, bake sweets, go fishing, & ride four wheelers.”
Something people might not know about her…
“I’ve been to state 4 times with twirling.”
“I’ve been to state 4 times with twirling.”
The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“To breath, calm down, and keep trying.”
“To breath, calm down, and keep trying.”
The most memorable advice from her coach…
“Keep working at it, you're almost there.”
“Keep working at it, you're almost there.”
Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Show up, try and show off how talented you are. Even if you drop, keep smiling! It’s going to be ok.”
“Show up, try and show off how talented you are. Even if you drop, keep smiling! It’s going to be ok.”
Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“When I was at individual practice and I was doing a new trick and my baton got stuck on the roof and I sat there trying to look up and find it for 20 minutes.”
“When I was at individual practice and I was doing a new trick and my baton got stuck on the roof and I sat there trying to look up and find it for 20 minutes.”
What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“I will definitely miss the late night games. Just being here with all these twirling you see how close a bond can get. I'm gonna miss my twirl sisters that includes everyone. I can’t wait to see we’re everyone goes from here.”
Taylor Hudman, Freshman
Taylor is from Kilgore, Texas, and is majoring in Radiology. She has been twirling for 7 years. Her favorite twirling tricks are toss cartwheels or toss illusions, and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by failing. After college she hopes to become a radiologist.
“I will definitely miss the late night games. Just being here with all these twirling you see how close a bond can get. I'm gonna miss my twirl sisters that includes everyone. I can’t wait to see we’re everyone goes from here.”
Taylor is from Kilgore, Texas, and is majoring in Radiology. She has been twirling for 7 years. Her favorite twirling tricks are toss cartwheels or toss illusions, and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by failing. After college she hopes to become a radiologist.
Favorites!
Favorite Colors –blue / pink
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Barbie
Favorite Colors –blue / pink
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Barbie
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink…
“Red Bull or yellow Gatorade and M&Ms.”
“Red Bull or yellow Gatorade and M&Ms.”
Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Let them watch you succeed.”
“Let them watch you succeed.”
When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Hang out with friends and look at houses I am not going to buy.”
“Hang out with friends and look at houses I am not going to buy.”
Something people might not know about her…
“I don’t like hugs or being touched.”
“I don’t like hugs or being touched.”
The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Multitasking and remembering things.”
“Multitasking and remembering things.”
The most memorable advice from her coach…
“Toss straight up, not out.”
“Toss straight up, not out.”
Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Keep going even when you want to quit or when you drop over and over. Just keep going.”
“Keep going even when you want to quit or when you drop over and over. Just keep going.”
Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“When I caught my two-turn at a game for the first time and I started jumping up and down.”
“When I caught my two-turn at a game for the first time and I started jumping up and down.”
What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“I will miss us all laughing and singing when getting ready or us all complaining about the heat when we’re fine and the band kids are dying!”
We want to thank the Kilgore Twirlers for sharing their day with us, and we wish them an amazing rest of their fall season. Rack ‘Em!
“I will miss us all laughing and singing when getting ready or us all complaining about the heat when we’re fine and the band kids are dying!”
We want to thank the Kilgore Twirlers for sharing their day with us, and we wish them an amazing rest of their fall season. Rack ‘Em!
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.
