Liberty High School is a newer school in the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD), and has been catching up on adding extracurriculars and clubs. A few years ago, Liberty had its first baton twirler at football games and other school events.
This school year, Liberty gained two highly skilled twirlers, Ava Kirk and Danica Wieland.
Ava Kirk (she/her), 9, has been twirling for seven years.
“I wanted to become a baton twirler after going to my first Iowa football game and getting to see the ‘Golden Girl’,” Kirk said.
The ‘Golden Girl’ is Iowa’s twirler that performs during halftime shows and events.
Twirling isn’t just a hobby to Kirk, it inspires her and those watching.
“My favorite part about being a Liberty twirler at the games is when little kids ask me to hold my baton or ask for a picture,” said Kirk.
Baton twirling is hard work, just like any other sport. It takes great coordination, timing, flexibility, and daily practice.
Kirk explained, “I have learned that if you want to be noticed by people, you really just have to put yourself out there and give it your all.”
Twirlers also practice with the band to get the most precise steps. At every football game, they lead the band out onto the field.
Danica Wieland (she/her), 9, is the other baton twirler at Liberty.
Both Kirk and Wieland twirl and compete for Ambition Baton and Dance in Iowa City. They have both participated in many competitions and won multiple awards.
“I have always had the mindset of being different and having something I really love, and I luckily found that through baton,” Wieland explained. “By seeing the impact I leave [on] my performances and others’ mindsets is what keeps me going.”
Mindset is an important factor when it comes to sports. It can be a hardship, but pushing through and defying a closed mindset can get you to the next level in sports. Student-athletes can grow and reach their goals by pushing through.
Wieland said, “What I have learned from my Liberty freshman twirling experience, is with passion and persistence, anything is possible.”
These girls have shown their passion at every football game, giving a smile and putting forth their best efforts to support their school on the field. They put their hearts into every performance, showcasing their talents.
