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...
Smith-Walbridge Camp was founded in 1949 in Syracuse, Indiana. It was the first camp of its kind to host a variety of clinics related to high school and collegiate bands. This included camps for cheerleaders, baton twirlers, drum majors, color guards and marching and concert bands. Original...
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...
The Petersburg High School Drum Corps, Petersburg, Pike County, Indiana, 1934. From left to right: Pearl Owings, Majorette; Name Unknown; Claribell Klipsch; Name Unknown; Name Unknown; Lucille Hendrix; Name Unknown; Virginia Hendrix; Name Unknown; Name Unknown; Name Unknown; Name Unknown; Emma...
AYOP 2023 (American Youth on Parade) is the largest baton twirling competition in the United States of America. It was started by Don Sartel, founder of the National Baton Twirling Association, in 1966. It comprises four separate events in 2023, including: 76th Annual Miss Majorette of America...
Debbie was a Centralette majorette with Lake Central High School, St, John Indiana, 1972. In addition to twirling batons, they carried gigantic pom poms that were so heavy they tied them around their wrists to keep from losing them while they marched. Debbie, Centralette 1972
