I'm an Auburn majorette, and I'm proud of what we do on game day. However, many people don't realize the in's and out's of our hectic schedules.
We are awakened by a harsh alarm at 3 a.m to start getting "game-day ready." The anxiety and nerves have already formed an overwhelming pit in our stomachs as we begin our preparation ritual.
Game-day ready, to us, means full make-up and hair styled in the signature majorette "poof."
After we get dolled up, we have band practice for several hours. Every game-day morning, we run through the pre-game and half-time shows over and over and over again until we're unquestionably prepared.
Many people are unaware that the entire band does not get to perform in every game. We have an alternate system in place so the best of the best are performing each week.
Specifically for majorettes, this means 10 out of 14 will perform pre-game and 12 will perform during half-time. Every week we have pass offs to determine if we are to perform that week.
While most football fans recognize the girls in sparkly outfits on the field, only a few are aware that twirling is actually a competitive sport.
Our purpose as majorettes is to entertain the fans and to perform with the utmost showmanship; however, competition twirling is somewhat different than twirling in Jordan-Hare.
A few girls on the Auburn Majorette Line, including myself, competed before auditioning for a college line.
Competitive twirling is in a gym with just you, the baton and the judges. Here, you can focus on your most difficult tricks. Practices are filled with hours in the gym with a determined coach pointing out your every mistake.
I started competing at a local level, but over the years I worked my way up to the national level where the competition only intensifies.
The competitions host thousands of girls, and boys, in glittery uniforms methodically going through each move in their routines with extreme concentration until it's time to perform.
One drop of the baton - half a point deducted. One break in the flow of the routine - one tenth of a point deducted.
If that isn't a sport, I don't know what is.
On the field, however, the judges are the fans and your sponsors, so there is still some competitive aspect involved based on how well you perform from week to week.
Both competitive twirling and being a collegiate majorette are difficult, but also fun. You feel so much positive energy and adrenaline from performing that you never want to stop.
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