This post is a work in progress and will be continually updated as research is completed.
In 2017, Tudy Smith, a former majorette and beloved baton twirling coach, was celebrated by 70 former students during a tribute held in her honor. The Herald Tribune covered the event. Smith was 87 at the time.
One of the founders of the United States Twirling Association (USTA), Smith served as its first female president. In 2008, she was inducted into the USTA Hall of Fame. Other highlights from her baton twirling career include:
1944-1948: Sharpsville High School majorette
1952 to 1979: Developed majorette programs in Tipton, Windfall, Sharpsville, Hobbs, Walnut Grove, Logansport, Elwood, Anderson and Tri-Central high schools
1958-1961: Served in many capacities of the office for the Indiana Council of the United States Twirling Association
1962: Became the first woman President of USTA and held that office three times
1958 through early ‘70s: Choreographer of the regionally famous Wendell Willkie High School Variety Shows
Smith was also the mother of championship baton twirler Selita Smith, a Purdue University Golden Girl in the 1970s.
Tudy’s Dynamics Baton Twirling Team, 1968
A Facebook group, Elwood Twirlers’ Reunion, features photos of Smith and her twirlers.
