As a twirler for 13 years I can honestly say that baton has taken over my life in the greatest way possible. Whether you're a baton twirler of the past or present, the everlasting impact that it has on our daily lives is inevitable, and we can never erase the quirky habits that it has created for us. So as we reflect upon the sport that we love, let us acknowledge the great struggles and experiences that only baton twirlers will ever understand.
1. You have permanent sports bra tan lines.
We all roll up to prom with this hot new accessory called the sports bra tan line; or you can flaunt it around at competitions as a trophy of your outside practice. Either way, these will forever be on your back, and they definitely don't fade easily.
2. "Oh you twirl? Can you twirl this pencil?"
As we are constantly faced with this question from outsiders inquiring about our sport, we must inform them that a pencil and a baton have no similarity and are not interchangeable. Sorry guys, the show will have to be postponed.
3. The first thing you do when you walk into any building, is check the ceiling height.
"This would be a great place to practice" you say as you walk into church and successfully decide that you can fit a three-turn in if you stand exactly in the middle. Or maybe even a double illusion in Walmart if you're lucky?
4. After you drop everything, you know your mom is still your biggest fan.
As soon as you walk out onto the floor to perform, you can hear your mom's cheering over everybody else. She has always been your cheerleader, and will still love you even after you drop everything. She also most likely has snacks to fix your disappointment, or to celebrate a great routine.
5. Your bun is never tight enough so you have permanent bobby-pin imprints in your scalp.
"Just. One. More. Bobby Pin," we cry as we shove the thousandth bobby pin into our buns on competition mornings, leaving indents in our heads for years to come and tears as we realize that our bun still isn't tight enough.
6.The struggle of taking makeup off after competitions.
The feeling of defeat when you realized you used your waterproof mascara ... followed by the feeling of victory 20 minutes later when you finally got all of your makeup off (and possibly a layer of skin).
7. Everyone thinks you're tough because you have bruises everywhere.
People think you got in a fight, but really you just got that black eye from a baton rapidly falling from the sky. Either way you look tough, and your coach is impressed because it shows you've been practicing. It's a win-win situation, right?
8. One word. Compulsories.
Who knew one word could hold so many memories. The good sets, the bad sets, the sets where your baton is on the floor more than it is in your hand. As soon as you hear "Salute" you know there's no turning back now, this is the end.
9. Your parents are constantly afraid that you will break a window or their TV.
Ever since they saw Jan Brady send a baton through the window of her house, your parents have had a really close eye on your living room and backyard practices.
10. There's no such thing as too many rhinestones.
At this point it wouldn't be a surprise if your underwear was bedazzled because sparkles are such a key to feeling and looking good out on the floor. From head to toe there are sparkles on every twirler, and a mother running after them trying to glue on one last rhinestone on as a "finishing touch."
11. Even though your teammates may want to kill you sometimes you'll always be sisters in the end.
Your teammates have become your sisters over the years, and although sometimes you argue over what count you all flourish on, you know that in the end you have the best support system out there and wouldn't trade your sisterhood for anything in the world.
