Phyllis Jean Vanderkerckhove (1943-2021) and Ron Popp (1941-2019) twirled together in Rock Island, Illinois in the 1950s. Records of Popp’s involvement in twirling cannot be documented beyond 1951, however, Vanderkerckhove went on to appear in Who’s Who in Baton Twirling in 1961. ...
The baton twirling community lost one of its most influential ambassadors today with the passing of Billie J. Pucciarello (1936-2026), known to generations of students simply as “Miss Billie.” A Galveston native and graduate of Ball High School, Pucciarello built an international reputation as a...
Harry Blake, NMHU Feature Twirler, 1958-1963, performs a flying straddle split with baton toss, 1958. This signature athletic move showcased the strength and showmanship of the era’s top male baton twirlers. (Photo courtesy of NMHU; restored gently with AI software.) 1962 Men’s...
SOURCE: North Berrien Historical Museum on Facebook Sonie Rogers is pictured far left. In addition to twirling, she was a football cheerleader at Watervliet HIgh School. Sandra “Sonie” Swaim (nee Rogers) of Watervliet, Michigan, emerged as one of the nation’s leading baton twirlers in...
When Hilda-Gay Mayberry won the title of Miss Majorette of America in 1952, baton twirling was emerging as one of the nation’s fastest-growing youth activities. The annual competition brought together some of the country’s finest majorettes, and the winner became an ambassador for the...
In 1961, the U.S. Patent Office issued a patent for one of the more unusual inventions in baton twirling history: a heated baton. The invention, patented by Carter M. Hanna of Burbank, Ohio, was designed to help majorettes maintain finger dexterity during outdoor performances in cold weather. The...
Today’s Vintage Baton Twirling Photo is of a Glendale Lions Club broom sale promotion, 1951. Joann Cave and Pollyann Basford, baton twirlers wearing tap shoes, pose with brooms to help publicize an upcoming Glendale Lions Club fundraiser. Lions Clubs across the country frequently sold brooms...
Today is the Indianapolis 500, and Purdue Twirling will be performing on the race track. Here are some wonderful historic images (negatives) of this long-standing tradition, which we discovered on an Indianapolis 500 Archive. Members of the Purdue University Marching Band make their way down the...
Old Forge’s First Miss Devilette Has Passed Away Maryann Beseda Brigido, the original “Miss Devilette” of Old Forge High School, Pennsylvani, has passed away at the age of 87. Her death marks the loss of the first performer to hold a title that has come to define Friday night...
University of Washington majorette and national champion with roots in Tacoma Elks Band Gloria Ellexson emerged from Tacoma, Washington, as one of the Pacific Northwest’s standout majorettes in the 1940s, with newspaper and archival references placing her in public performances from at least 1940...
Larry Cervi, Pittsburgh State University Drum Major, 1955-57. He earned a full scholarship to the university. He was quoted saying he “started out as a twirler and became the drum major for the next three seasons.” Larry Cervi (1936-2026) Larry Cervi died on January 29, 2026, two days...
