By Traci Chapman
Managing Editor
Piedmont High School’s Kaelyn Wood is heading to national competition in July, after twirling her way to eight state titles in April.
Kaelyn competed first in March at the Southwest Twirling Regionals in Fort Worth, Texas. There she qualified to compete at the national level – in the process placing in the top five of all 11 events she competed in.
In April, the accolades increased by leaps and bounds – eight-fold, in fact. During the Miss Majorette of Oklahoma competition held April 23 in Enid, the Piedmont junior collected eight state trophies and was named Advanced Junior Miss Majorette of Oklahoma.
That meant Kaelyn would head to the University of Notre Dame in July to compete in nationals known as America’s Youth on Parade.
“America’s Youth on Parade has been cancelled the last two years due to COVID-19, so we are really looking forward to this year’s competition,” Kaelyn’s mother, Kathy, said. “Contestants from all over the United States and several different countries will be competing.”
Baton twirling in some places has become almost a lost art – but it’s youth like Kaelyn that have helped spearhead a resurgence of the sport in Oklahoma. In addition to specific twirling competitions, the Piedmont junior has developed a multi-faceted relationship with Piedmont High School’s band program.
During her freshman year, Pride of Piedmont band director James Rivera made her a part of the band’s 2020 program, performed under unusual and abbreviated circumstances due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
During the Pride’s 2021 season, Kaelyn twirled with the band at all of their football games, as activities went back to normal to a great extent.
“We greatly appreciate Mr. Rivera giving her the many opportunities to twirl with the Pride of Piedmont,” Kathy said.
As of press time, it was unclear whether Kaelyn would twirl with Pride of Piedmont in its 2022 program. She said she was hoping to be part of this year’s show; very few high school marching bands in Oklahoma have twirlers – among those who do, their inclusion is something that lends an additional aspect to the program, Tuttle band director Seth Boothby said.
“We’re always looking for something that complements our program, makes it just a little different and
adds an added dimension – that’s one reason why color guard is so important,” he said. “With baton (twirling), that’s something so few bands have here so it’s an unusual touch.”
In addition to her twirling, Kaelyn also performs with the band as a musician, playing trombone or baritone – including with the school’s symphonic band during concert season.
Kaelyn hopes to become a featured twirler in college after her graduation from Piedmont. In addition to her state and other contest honors, she must “have had experience with the marching band and on the field” to attain featured twirler status.
Achieving that goal also includes dedication to studies and community involvement, Kaelyn said – she is a member of National Honor Society and involved with Piedmont United Methodist youth.
Kaelyn began twirling at age five. Kathy was herself a twirler and thought she’d share a sport she loved with her daughter.
It – and Kaelyn – were a hit. And the now 16-year-old has never stopped since, Kathy said.
That focus and drive – and Kaelyn’s coach, Vicki Ray of Fort Worth, Texas – are a major part of her daughter’s success, Kathy said.
“Kaelyn loves showing her twirling talent; she practices daily and works really hard at her craft,” Kathy said. “She amazes me – she never gets nervous performing or competing, she just truly loves twirling.”
