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Twirling Returns to THS Since the early 90’s Thomasville High School has been missing a majorette squad. However this year, the hard work of Band Director, Mr. Schmidt and Scholars Academy Director and math teacher, Dr. Graham has brought back the majorette program using classic techniques with the dedication of some talented young girls. Dr. Graham has an
extreme passion for baton twirling. Ever since she was three years old,
her interest grew out of a coincidental mishap involving a broken baton
and a clumsy toddler. Her older sister had broken her baton during a
parade and hung the baton that was the perfect size for a toddler in her
room. Even though Dr. Graham insists that she didn’t cause the baton to
fall off of the wall in her sister’s room, she was blamed for it. The
best part was that her sister ended up giving it to her. Lessons soon
followed this formative experience, and she never looked back. She was
the youngest majorette in her group to perform with the Thomasville High
School marching band. She enjoyed the choreography and stated that she
“loves performing.”
Clearly her own experience as a majorette influenced her decision to accept the leadership position for the new squad when Mr. Schmidt proposed the idea to her. She wasn’t sure if she could fit it into her schedule of teaching and directing the Scholars Academy and coordinating math for the system, but she then convinced her daughter, Chrissy Graham, to be an assistant coach. Dr. Graham’s favorite part of coaching the majorette squad has been watching the transformation, improvement, and pride in the squad. Practices before band camp proved to be a challenge as the new group came together, but during the week at band camp the coaches and majorettes became tremendously attached and bonded quickly. Dr. Graham also enjoyed working “shoulder to shoulder” with her daughter. Autumn Larkins, Chelsea Penix, Chasity Spires, Alexia Ross, Courtnee Holton, and Hannah Hurst fill the six majorette spots. These girls share the same passion for twirling as Dr. Graham. The girls agreed that their favorite part of being a majorette is the performing. In addition to performing at pep rallies, football games, and parades, each majorette must be a part of the concert band. Autumn Larkins loves twirling and looks forward to being a majorette next year. Chelsea Penix looks forward to mentoring newcomers. “Be enthusiastic, don’t give up, work hard, and be willing to learn,” advises Penix to students hoping to join the squad next year. According to Ralph Pippey, author of No-Mystery Majorette History, majorettes originated from drum majors which were chosen by other drummers to conduct bands using a baton to give signals. In the 1800’s a woman drum major was depicted on a cigarette box called Drum Major. This sparked the idea of the possibility of a woman replacing the man drum major. Around 1903, early movie show posters and related post cards featured a woman drum major. This may have simply been an advertising gimmick, but advertising has always influence people. Drum majors were turning up on magazine covers including the 1916 issue of Ladies Home Journal. Eventually the ideas spread and lead to the first majorettes. A sport with a long history is set to continue at Thomasville High School. Even though majorettes had died out, THS has brought it back for girls to enjoy and to perform. Dr. Graham loves the femininity of the sport; “It gives girls the chance to be girls,” added Graham.
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