Chicken Barbecue to Support Competitors

Emilie Thibeault first picked up a baton to "try" twirling at the age of 7. "I have never put the batons down (since then)," recalled Thibeault.

Kyleigh Jarvis started twirling for "fun" at age 9. Like Thibeault, Jarvis continued twirling. "I just really enjoyed it, and I started competing," she stated.

The years of practice and honing their talents has paid off for both young women, who are now looking forward to competing in the International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF) Nations Cup, sometimes referred to as the "Olympics" of baton, which will be held in Torino, Italy, from Saturday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 10.

To help defray travel expenses, a chicken barbecue will be held at Paradise Fire Company, 5 Hershey Ave., Paradise, on Friday, June 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. A chicken barbecue meal, which will include a leg and a thigh or a breast, chips, a beverage, and dessert, may be purchased, or people may buy chicken alone for a reduced cost. Those who wish to preorder chicken may call 717-687-5212.

Both Thibeault and Jarvis twirled with Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) marching band, and both qualified for the IBTF championships at a National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) competition held in Aiken, S.C., in January. Thibeault placed first in the adult solo category and second in the three-baton category. "Multiple baton is definitely my strong suit," she noted. Jarvis placed third in strut and second in duet at the NBTA event. She noted that those are the areas where her strengths lie. Her duet partner is Iris Hatchet of Aiken, S.C.

Reaching the Nations Cup competition has been on the radar for both girls for many years. "Qualifying is the biggest thing," shared Jarvis. Thibeault added that only a certain number of twirlers can qualify for each category.

Thibeault, who recently received her master's degree in speech language pathology from Lebanon Valley College (LVC), has been the featured twirler for the school since her freshman year. She is now coaching a majorette line to perform with the LVC marching band.

Jarvis is a sophomore majoring in psychology and the featured twirler at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Charlotte, N.C.

Jarvis explained that twirling routines generally follow a set structure, starting with an opening, finger twirls, rolls, horizontal twirls, and an ending. Thibeault noted that structure leaves plenty of room for creativity. "What you do with (the routine) is up to you and your coach," she pointed out. Jarvis added that personalized tricks and flips may be added, but certain moves are not allowed in some competitions.

Both young women are connected to more than one twirling team or studio. Thibeault twirls and teaches with Ab-Salute Twirling in Brownstown and Studio Orange in Powell, Tenn. Jarvis twirls with the M Twirling Team in State College and the Carolina Twirling Club in Aiken, S.C.

Looking ahead, the duo reported that in Italy they will compete against twirlers from 19 countries. "I'm looking forward to being able to represent the U.S. and continue to do what I love on the international stage," shared Thibeault.

Jarvis has a similar goal. "I'm looking forward to being able to represent the U.S. no matter how well we do," she noted. "Making it this far is an accomplishment in itself."