FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Twirlers Spin to Own Drummers

Twirling and tossing a baton are not easy.

“It’s a different sport because when you twirl, everybody looks at it as something unique,” said twirler Jeannie Grimes, 14. “It’s not something everybody can do.”

But for Grimes and other members of the Fountain Valley Twirlers, a baton troupe of girls ages 9 to 17 from across Orange County, their skills have been perfected to become a national-award-winning team.

They returned recently from a national competition in North Carolina, capturing the title in Outstanding Parade Corps and winning 13 first-place trophies. Individually, members garnered a total of 110 awards.

“These girls work hard and show a lot of dedication,” said Debi Barr, founder and instructor of the team that has won national titles in 1980, 1984, 1988 and this year. “It’s nice to see them recognized as athletes as well as entertainers for all their time and energy they spend perfecting their sport.”

Barr, 37, who began twirling at 6, started the team 18 years ago after performing for Edison High School and for the L.A. Rams during the 1969-70 season.

The benefits of twirling are many, Barr said. Team members develop poise, self-confidence, discipline, the importance of commitment and working together as a team, as well as the opportunity to perform and achieve personal accomplishments.

The friendships, team camaraderie and the chance to wear glitzy, showy costumes also keep them twirling.

“You get a lot of friends--best friends,” said Debby Lee, 14.

Saori Miyajima, 13, also said it wasn’t just the challenge that attracted her to twirl. “The costumes looked impressive,” she said. “I wanted to wear one of those shiny costumes, too.”

Twirlers agree the most disappointing moment is dropping the baton during a performance.

Jennifer Harris, 13, junior parade corps leader, said that while it may seem disastrous at the moment, “You just try not to get flustered if you drop. You learn to recover.”

Barr, who offers classes at Fountain Valley Recreation Center, said twirlers often give it up by age 16.

But members of the Twirlers said they’re not ready to drop their batons for good.

“It’s a big part of our lives,” Grimes said. “If we quit, a big part of our lives would be gone.”