Meet the Members State of the Organization

Catch It!
Spring 2008
Meet the Members
Volume 49
Issue 2
Jenny Lee
INSIDE:
• Message from
the President
• Baton Science
Project
• Trials Results
• College Corner
• Puerto Rico
Twirling Clinic
2008 Team USA
Trials Results on Page 7
State
of the Organization
From the Office of Executive Director, Karen Cammer
Welcome to Spring!! Isn’t it amazing how fast the season goes?
We are already entering the height of our competitive season with State
and Regional Championships coming up, followed by the extraordinary
milestone anniversary for USTA - 50 Years of Excellence!
Congratulations to USTA’s newly-elected board members: Thomas Breuckman of Oregon in Sector One, Ed Daizovi of Indiana in Sector
Three, Lee Callicutt of Maryland in Sector Five and Diana Loomis of
Kansas in the At Large seat. We wish you the very best of luck in this
new role.
The 2008 U.S. Trials were held in Spring Hill, TN the first weekend in April. Thank you to the many volunteers who worked so hard that
weekend. Congratulations to all of the athletes who competed and to
those who earned spots on Team USA. We are cheering for you as you ‘go
for the gold’ in Limerick, Ireland in August 2008!
USTA is looking forward to its 50th Anniversary Celebration in
continued on page 6
11-year-old Jenny Lee of San
Jose, CA was born in Korea and is looking forward to becoming a U.S. citizen.
She’s also looking forward to attend
attending her first National Championships
this summer with the Jump Start Dance
Twirl Team. A student of Sharon and
Paige Campbell, Jenny has been twirling
for three years. In that short time, twirling has become very important to her, as
you can see from this English essay, which
continued on page 3
Message from the President
United States Twirling
Association, Inc.
Karen Cammer, USTA Executive Director
44 Drexel Drive, Bay Shore, NY 11706
Phone: (631) 961-0499
Fax: (208) 474-9067
E-mail: Karen@ustwirling.com
Web site: www.ustwirling.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Honorary Board
John Kirkendall/MI
Fred Miller/OH
Bobbie Mae (deceased)
George Walbridge (deceased)
Nick Michalares/IN (deceased)
Executive Board
Kathy Butera/VA
Jackie Stewart/TN
Callene Derrick/OH
Joyce Dalton/OH
Executive Secretary/Treasurer
Sharon Campbell/CA
Vice President
John Chamberlain/FL
President
Sandi Wiemers/KS
USTA DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
Membership & Entries
Julie Jenkins
Merchandise
John Chamberlain
Growth & Development
Lori Perkins
Media Relations & Communications
Anna Dolan
USTA Web Site Editor
Celeste Powers
TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP
Sandi Rios/U.S. Technical Advisor
Kyle Keiser
Karen Ogden
Linda Peters
Jackie Stewart
Amby Taylor
Dale White
Sandi Wiemers
Catch It! is included in Full, Elite,
Professional, Team and Organization
membership fees.
Subscription fee for publications — only
$25. Contact USTA
Headquarters for subscription information.
Editor
Krystal Mignone
Printing
Ag Press, Manhattan, KS
USTA News & Views is our monthly
eNewsletter emailed to all members.
2
I sincerely wish to thank everyone for their friendship, support
and cooperation during my tenure as the President of the United
States Twirling Association.
I took on this responsibility
in 1996, believing that I would be
serving in this leadership role for
four to six years at the most. In
actuality, twelve years have passed
and it’s time to step aside.
I am proud of the accomplishments the Executive Board,
the Technical Committee, the Commission Members, and now various
Departments have accomplished
during my tenure. Among those
items: the development of a strong
Web site presence; the development of technological programs
for to run efficient competitions;
the formulation of a new business
plan and structure for the association, which is an ongoing process;
successful efforts to involve more
people in our organization; enrichment of our training programs for
coaches and judges; a leadership
role in developing the International
Cup program to assist in development of baton twirling around the
world; and finally, USTA has hosted and directed three World Championships in an eight-year span.
Baton twirling began for me
before the age of three when I wandered away from my parents’ home
to march with the “majorettes” dur-
ing band practice at the high school
across the street. From that point
on, my involvement in this activity has been constant. I’ve enjoyed
playing an instrumental role in the
development of baton twirling as
a sport during the past forty years.
Growing up in an era when girls
did not have the opportunity to participate in sports was undoubtedly
the driving catalyst which led me,
along with many of my contemporaries, to formulate competitive baton twirling into the program that
it is today.
I will serve out the rest
of my Executive Board term as a
member of the team, assisting with
the business and financial side of
the organization and I am looking
forward to working in an advisory
capacity with the new Executive
Board which takes office in September.
My USTA Executive Board
journey began in the mid-80’s and
it has afforded me the opportunity
to work with many truly talented people who have helped make
USTA the great organization it is
today. May USTA’s next fifty years
be even brighter for all who embrace this great activity.
Very Sincerely,
Sandi Wiemers, President
UNITED STATES TWIRLING
ASSOCIATION
2429 7TH Street
Clay Center, KS. 67432
321-214-0040
sandi@ustwirling.com
Meet the Members: Jenny Lee
from page 1
Jenny’s teacher thought was the best in her class, despite the fact that Jenny is still learning the English language!
Baton Twirling – by Jenny Lee
Baton is a sport which I love from the depths of my soul. A baton is not a stick you flip and catch, it is a treasured
possession you twirl. Baton twirling is not what most people expect. They say it is not a sport but a hobby in which also is
a simple exercise. In my opinion I oppose those thoughts. Baton is a mixture of dance, gymnastics, and twirling. Twirling
is a test of self-confidence, teamwork, determination, perseverance, but most of all self ability. I twirl because I love and
enjoy the happiness it brings me. Twirling gives me a boost to enjoyment and I look forward to come to the gym. When
I twirl I can also express my feelings in ways I have never thought about before. I dance to the music of moods and I love
the feeling of the baton rolling on my body. When you get down a trick 100% that you experienced difficulty with, your
body shoots up with tremendous joy. A thrilling emotion comes over your body giving your heart a bump. In competitions
often there is the suspense of competition but you reacquaint with friends and realize what you are here for. You are here
to have a great time and learn your own potential you soon understand. You can experience nervousness but soon overcome that thought as you perform, with eyes on you as your body moves with the heart of the music and the baton does as
you guide it. Applause is always a essential boost of encouragement. I have always believed that your body is prepared for
superb abilities but your mind stops you. You can let that all go and let your body do what it is capable of. Your arms, legs,
and baton know what they are doing but need you to guide them. I will always love baton and I hope others realize it has
colossal roles in lives.
Meet the Members –
Samantha Perrone
Samantha Perrone of Deer Park, NY just turned 10! That’s a milestone for any youngster, but especially for Sam, who spent much of
her young life battling cancer. Just before her third birthday, Samantha was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She spent the
next 38 days in the hospital, followed by 30 months of chemotherapy
and other treatments.
During that time, a nurse gave Samantha a toy baton. Once Sam
was well enough, she started twirling with the Dynamics and coaches
Alaine Robbins and Christine Staunch.
“Twirling gave Sam a purpose in life when she really needed one,”
said her mom, Karen. “Now it has grown into a passion for her. The
older she gets the more she likes picking out the outfits and having
her hair and makeup done. And of course she loves winning!”
When Sam’s not twirling, she is an active fundraiser for childhood
cancer organizations like the Sunrise Day Camp. She also participates
in the Leukemia Society First Connection program, where she talks
with newly-diagnosed kids.
Samantha’s cancer is in full remission now and her five year ‘watch’
period ends later this year. Like many ‘soon-to-be-fifth-graders,’ she
loves hanging out with her friends and her family, which includes her
mom and dad, younger sister Amanda, and the family cat ‘Muffler’
(who was found under a car!).
3
Rhapsody Baton Shares Twirling in Puerto Rico
College Corner
Alyse Gillman, Feature Twirler
Middle Tennessee State University
Fajardo clinic
Elizabeth teaching at the clinic
Tessah, Elizabeth and
Kathleen as they wait for
their return flight at 5:00 am
Coaches Tessah Ivey, Elizabeth Delgado and Kathleen Peaslee from Rhapsody Baton in Celebration, FL
were invited to teach a baton twirling clinic and judge at the National/Territorial Championships of Puerto Rico
on Jan. 19.
Coaches and athletes attended the clinic in Loiza to learn new skills. The atmosphere was very energetic.
The athletes excitedly asked to learn illusions, which they have seen on YouTube. They also enjoyed experimenting with rolls, which have not been widely used in Puerto Rico. The fact they spoke no English and Rhapsody’s staff spoke no Spanish never once interfered. The language barrier created more fun!
The Primera Copa Nacional “Professional Stars” Championships were held in Fajardo at the Coliseo
Municipal De Fajardo. Twirling groups representing their communities came from throughout Puerto Rico to
participate. They include everyone from two-year-olds to 50-year-olds, along with athletes that are physically or
mentally challenged. It was humbling to see how much they all love baton and support one another.
The Puerto Rican competitions are very different from ours. They begin with a “Review” when everyone
from a particular community or group goes on to the floor and twirls for two minutes showing off the things
they do best. Individuals throw big tricks and they also incorporate formation drills. Drum corps, flags and poms
accompany the twirlers. The performance is not scored.
At the competition each club selects their best male soloist, female soloist, multiple baton twirler, pair,
trio and one team of six to eight people. They also compete in Group, with twirlers, drum corps, flags and poms
on the floor at the same time. As these representatives compete, their wins/place points are awarded to their
clubs. At the end of the day the club with the most points wins the championship. The judges include twirling
judges, former Puerto Rico twirling champions, music instructors, politicians and business professionals.
The sportsmanship was very impressive. One clubs’ drummers and equipment had a mishap and did not
arrive. A rival club volunteered to learn the missing drummers’ music that morning and performed with them at
the competition! Everyone cheered for each other. It was loud, rowdy and truly a celebration of twirling!
Elizabeth performed her freestyle at the arena and the crowd went wild over her leaps and walkovers.
Rhapsody staff then taught a multiple baton clinic while the scores were being tabulated. All kinds of people
came out of the stands to learn – some were not even twirlers.
“We hope Puerto Rico will soon reach its goal to form a national team that travels to the U.S. and abroad
to compete,” said Rhapsody coach Tessah Ivey. “We felt blessed to have been invited to share twirling with such
warm people. This experience reinforced to us that baton styles may be different, but the shared love of it is the
same. It is truly a common language.”
4
For the past two years, 19-yearold Alyse Gillman of Clarksville, TN has
been a feature twirler and member of the
Raiderette Twirling Line at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.
She performs with the MTSU ‘Band of
Blue’ at all home football games, and some
away games. Last year, she also performed
at the Motor City Bowl in Detroit, MI.
“It’s definitely exciting, a
real adrenaline rush” Gillman said
about performing for huge college
crowds. “It’s a different kind of
challenge than competitive twirling,
where you’re more concerned with
technique. Here, you just have to
put on a good show.”
Gillman holds many state
and regional titles in Solo, 2 and 3
Baton. She also won the 2003 U.S.
Jr. Women’s Bronze Medal and
the 2006 Pre-Trials AAA Sr. Gold
Medal. Gillman was a member of
Encore, the U.S team that won the
Bronze Medal at the World Cham- The Raiderette twirling line with
feature twirler Alyse Gillman in white.
pionships in 2006 and Silver in 2007.
A sophomore at MTSU, Gillman is studying English Secondary
Education and is a Presidential Scholar, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
She is also a coach for the Tennessee Twirlers and she recently became
certified as a USTA Level II Judge.
Gillman has two academic scholarships
and receives a small stipend for twirling at
MTSU. Her advice to athletes who would
like to twirl in college: “Research all of your
options. Find out about available twirling
positions and the scholarships and stipends
that are offered. Speak to twirling coaches at
different schools and make a decision about
where you’d like to twirl based on where you
feel you fit in the best.”
University of
Arizona Twirling
Line Auditions
Interested in continuing your
twirling career in college? Then
check out the opportunities at
the University of Arizona in
Tucson, Arizona. Program
director Shirlee Bertolini has 2
openings on the twirling team
for the 2008-09 school year. Act
fast and you could be twirling at
a top notch college and enjoying
the warm weather year round.
For more information, contact
Shirlee:
1751 W. Las Lomitas
Tucson, AZ 85704
520-887-4626
bertoaz1027@comcast.net
5
Twirler Turns Sport Into Science
By Jenny Hannah
Last year, a twirler from
Memphis, Tennessee decided to
combine two of her favorite hobbies: baton twirling and science.
Allison Albonetti applied the scientific method to her twirling practice.
Albonetti’s science fair project which
she titled “Catch on to Baton” was
chosen as one of a few 8th grade
projects to represent St. Francis of
Assisi Catholic School at the county
science and engineering fair. Albonetti
says, “I wanted to do a project that no
one at my school had done before and
wanted it to relate to something I was
interested in.”
The experiment evaluated
how the length of a baton as well as
the direction thrown (vertical or horizontal) affect the length of time the
baton stays in the air. Her materials
for the experiment were a 29” Starline
Super Star baton, a 23” Starline Super
Star baton and a stopwatch.
Albonetti tossed each baton
50 times vertically and horizontally.
Her mother timed each toss with the
stop watch.
Albonetti’s hypothesis was
that the shorter baton would have
a longer hang time than the longer
baton. She also predicted that the vertical tosses would have higher times
than the horizontal tosses.
Her test results were as follows:
Vertical toss, 29” baton
2.03-2.4 seconds, average 2.16 seconds
Vertical toss, 23” baton
1.81-2.26 seconds, average 2.02 seconds
Horizontal toss, 29” baton
1.56-1.82 seconds, average 1.69 seconds
Horizontal toss, 23” baton
1.53-1.81 seconds, average 1.68 seconds
The results were that the vertical toss was consistently higher than
the horizontal. Albonetti concluded
that this was likely due in part to the
fact that horizontal tosses require
a greater amount of strength. The
horizontal tosses scored relatively
equally between the shorter and longer batons. The vertical tosses were
also extremely close in results. Both
were in the same general range with
the longer baton having a slightly
longer hang time (0.14 seconds longer
on average).
It is important to remember
that other variables possibly influencing the results include: the amount
of revolution on each toss measured;
where on the shaft each toss was
released; possible fatigue towards the
end of testing; and using a baton not
correctly fitted for a person’s size.
Albonetti concluded that “different
twirlers may have different levels of
strength and skill which could impact
hang time of a baton.” She continues, “Hang time is just one factor to
consider when selecting a baton. The
length of a baton must be a good fit
for all the skills a twirler must perform.”
Albonetti is now a freshman
at St. Benedict at Auburndale High
School. She is in Honors physical science. She is a member of Champions
Baton Club in Memphis, Tennessee
and has been twirling for eight years.
She has been coached by Wendi Lacki
and is currently coached by April
Glisson and Jackie Stewart.
Congratulations to these newly certified USTA
coaches & judges:
JUDGES
New Level I Part I Judges
Sarah Aley-CO
COACHES
New Certified Level I Coaches
Zakia Allen - NY
Diane Carter - NC
Jeanne Di Paola - CA
Amanda Duffy - MD
Michele Ekstrom - AZ
Crystal Evans - OH
April Glisson - TN
Morganne Horsford – NY
Angie Jeong – NV
Dawn Johnson - NY
Corey Kinyon-Cruz – CA
Christy Moore - NC
Alyssa Nunziato - NY
Emma Powers - NY
Nancy Siebert - NE
Laurie Wells - NY
Cassandra Zilavy - NY
Alyssa Zimpelman - NY
New Level II Coaches
Lauren Albro - NY
Jacklyn Aymong - NY
Michele Ekstrom - AZ
Angie Jeong - NV
State of the Organization...
from page 1
6
Daytona Beach, FL. We are expecting
record numbers of athletes, coaches
and their families as well as many
V.I.P.s from previous decades.
Daytona Beach will be the
place to be –beautiful beaches, incredible memories, old friends and new
acquaintances – gathering to celebrate
New Level I Judges
(Part I and Part II)
Jenna Wietharn-KS
Kayla Pedigo-KS
Emily Burger-KS
Katy Anholt-OR
Jill Westover Edgecomb-OR
Kendra McAtee-Vrieze-OR
Stacey Gillman-TN
Shaleigh Simon Stewart-TN
Alyse Gillman-TN
New Level III Judges
Ashlie Justice-OH
Sue Skaggs-ME
Dawn Riley-NY
Lisa LaMonica-NY
Lori LaBrecque-ME
Karen Gendron-ME
Jason Lee-CA
New Pre Trials Judges
Kelly Miller TN
New Master Judges
Jenny Hannah TN
New Level II Judges
Jenna Wietharn-KS
Kayla Pedigo-KS
Emily Burger-KS
Susie Wich-AZ
Kendra McAtee-Vrieze-OR
Niki Davis-TN
Christy Malone-TN
Shaleigh Simon Stewart-TN
Alyse Gillman-TN
our Golden Anniversary with USTA
Founders and Hall of Famers.
We hope you will be joining us
in Daytona Beach! Until then, much
success to all of you at your State and
Regional Championships. See you in
July!
7
Trials Results
Junior Men Results
1.
Jack Giordano
2.
Caulin Shannon
3.
Mitchell Vara
Senior Men Results
1.
Jason Lee
2.
Drew Abramson
3.
Emery Harriston
Junior Women Results
1.
Catherine Ramirez
2.
Kristine Anderson
3.
Breanne Rowe
4.
Cecilia Daizovi
5.
Jacqueline Ramirez
6.
Melissa Brandle
Junior Pair Results
1.
Daizovi/Daizovi
2.
Brandle/Hogan
3.
Anderson/Hartman
4.
Belanger/Giordano
5.
Palmiter/Shannon
6.
Hale/Sohn
8
Team Results
1.
Syndication
Senior Women Results
1.
Karrissa Wimberley
2.
Jennifer Marcus
3.
Jenny Hannah
4.
Danielle Cobb
5.
Samantha Brown
6.
Sarah Lovelace
Senior Pair Results
1.
Lee/Lee
2.
Collado/Henschel
9
Starr Mirando Evans
Chet Jones
John Kirkendall
Barbara Monte de Rey Dockter
Bobbie Mae
10
Merl Smith
Tudy Smith
George Walbridge
11
GET READY TO RENEW!
First-year USTA members are receiving this issue of Catch It! as a special incentive to become
regular members next year!All regular members (Full, Family, Professional) receive three issues of
Catch It! each year, including the fall Winners issue, featuring photos and results from the Festival of
the Future and National Championships in Daytona Beach.Don't miss it!
For your convenience, we have included the 2009 USTA Membership Application in this issue of
Catch It!All 2008 memberships expire on Aug. 31, regardless of when you applied, and we know you
won't want to miss out on any of the benefits of USTA membership, including:
• 2008 Winners Issue of Catch It!, featuring photos and results from the Festival of the Future
and National Championships in Daytona Beach!(The Winners Issue will be distributed this fall!)
• USTA News & Views - a monthly eNewsletter featuring USTA members, programs and important
news!
• Accident insurance coverage - including $10,000 of medical and dental coverage
• Ability to compete in all USTA-sanctioned competitions without paying 'Member for a Day' fees
Fill out and mail in your 2009 USTA Membership application anytime (your membership won't
be processed until Sept. 1 unless you request it) or drop the form off at the Member Services booth at
the National Championships in Daytona Beach. Starting in mid-August, you can also renew your
membership online at www.ustwirling.com.
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