Calhoun High School Majorettes win third DMA national title
The Calhoun High School Majorettes hard work has paid offthey captured their third Drum Majorettes of America national title this past weekend at Wingate University in North Carolina. The majorettes previously won the title in 2012 and 2014. The team is under the direction of Head Coach Tracy Farriba and Assistant Coach Madison Bunch.
“I’m very excited. This is one of their best performances,” said Farriba of the majorette’s performance at Nationals. “I knew when they came off the floor. It was a great run- through.”
According to Farriba, a team needs to score 70 percent or above for a first place finish. The CHS Majorettes scored 86 percent. Three individual judges, whose scores are then averaged for a final score, judged the competition.
In addition to the National Title, the majorettes were also recognized as the 2016 Outstanding High School Line. “We competed against a team from Mainland High School in Daytona,” said Farriba. “It was stiff competition; they were really good. But we nailed it. Our symmetry and showmanship were great and our routine was very complicated.
“It was hard,” continued Farriba. “The gym was packed and it was loud. The girls rose to the challenge and performed a great routine.”
Farriba said the girls twirled to the 2015- 2016 halftime show but increased the difficulty of the routine. “We took four weeks off after football season ended and began training for Nationals in January,” said Farriba. “We took the routine up from football season and increased the difficulty. All of our girls twirled three batons; all did walkovers. We put the most spins in the routine that we could do on the floor. We had a toss double- walkover and a toss double- illusion. One thing I am proud of is our girls perform at an above level for a high school team. Not many high school girls twirl three batons. Our girls perform at a college level.
“We have two girls at the University of Georgia right now,” said Farriba. “We are a pretty tight line. I hope I’ve prepared them to take the next step.”
“The CHS Majorettes continue to exceed our expectations during halftime on Friday nights but it’s their hard work and dedication on and off the field that also make us proud,” said Dr. Michele Taylor, superintendent of Calhoun City Schools. “They spend countless hours practicing and perfecting their craft. We congratulate them on another successful competition and look forward to their upcoming season with the Calhoun High School Marching Yellow Jacket Band.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the Calhoun High School majorettes,” said CHS Band Director Larry Brown. “They have been working hard for six months to perfect their routine, and their hard work paid off. Congratulations to them and their coaches, Tracy Farriba and Madison Bunch. I couldn’t be prouder of these ladies.”
Organized in 1947, DMA is an organization that promotes the sport of baton twirling for individuals and uniformed groups.