 Higgs |
Baton twirling enriches life
Not many people would think that baton twirling could enrich one's life on almost every level, but MTSU's Meredith Simmons Higgs is proof that it can.
An assistant professor of developmental studies, Higgs first became interested in twirling at age 3, but had to wait until she was 4 to begin private lessons.
“I can remember being 3 years old and watching a parade that had baton twirlers,” she recalled. “I begged my mom to let me take lessons. … I took classes beginning at age 4 and some private lessons in high school and college. I also took dance and gymnastics classes to improve my level of performance.”
For Higgs—who describes herself as “a premature baby (that was) was given a low chance for survival and a lower chance for developing ‘normal’ mental and physical abilities”—baton twirling quickly became more than just a hobby that garnered her awards and recognition. In fact, it was through her dedication to the sport, she said, that she began to thrive on many levels.
“In the end,” she said, with its emphasis on dance, skill, poise and gymnastics, “baton twirling helped to develop my motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination.”
A one-time majorette for Franklin County High School, Higgs—during her senior year in high school—was named one of the two Vanderbilt University “Featured Twirlers” prior to earning a Vanderbilt Band Scholarship for her twirling during both football and basketball seasons.
“Twirling not only helped me physically, it also helped me academically,” said the McMinnville resident. “Being in a collegiate band is a special experience. Those in the band tend to have higher grades during band season, and the friendships are tightly bound.”
As for the most memorable highlights from her competitive twirling career, Higgs admits it was “thrilling” to win Grand Champion awards in both flag baton and rifle at Tennessee's United States Twirling Association (USTA) competition, as well as taking the Grand Champion award in rifle at the Southeastern Regional USTA competition in 2001. Yet for all the honors and championships she's garnered, Higgs said that the blessing of loving parents is the greatest “prize” of all.
“My biggest inspirations were and still are my mom and dad. My mother made crafts and did sewing at home and my father refereed football in the summer and fall to pay for my lessons,” Higgs said. “Indeed, my mother and father have done so much for me over the years. My parents did everything that they could to ensure my success.”
Moreover, from all indications, it seems that the family that twirls together, stays together. That is, at least where Meredith and her husband, Ray, are concerned, twirling is a family pursuit.
“Ray is a great pairs partner and a very good sport!” exclaimed the Shelbyville native, who met her husband during tryouts for the Vanderbilt Band her senior year in high school. “He was my partner for the partner-dance routines for half-time shows in college as well. (And) in addition to practice at home, ballroom dancing lessons through MTSU continuing studies helped us to refine our timing and grace during performances.”
A competitive twirler since age 5, Higgs said she put her twirling career on hold only to pursue her Ed.D. at Vanderbilt—something she will wrap up in December. Then it's back to the baton, both as a solo and pairs competitor.
“We placed second in the state and fifth in the seven-state Southeastern Regional in pairs twirling,” said Higgs, referring to the wins she and Ray have logged—with some of them done as cartoon favorites Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
With a 25-year twirling history to her credit, Higgs doesn't see an end to her baton affiliations anytime soon.
“I have always enjoyed twirling so much—regardless of any awards. I twirl for me; I twirl for the exercise and enjoyment,” she said. “It is a wonderful sport that both men and women can learn at any age.
“You can sit out for a while and come right back to it with practice,” Higgs said.
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