Area twirlers take part in recital, contests

The Southeast Area Twirlers annual Spring Twirling Recital was themed "A Little Bit of Disney" and featured six twirlers from Cape Gir­ar­deau and Jackson. The event took place at the Heartland Banquet Hall in Jackson. The recital comprised competition team group routines, one baton and two baton feature routines and solo performances by Paeton Outman and Lily Parker.

The Southeast Area Twirlers competition team, under the direction of Kandi Staples of East Prairie and Victoria Adams of Jackson, took part in two contests this year. The fall contest was in St. Louis and the spring contest was in Memphis, Tenn. The competition teams annually perform in at least two different team divisions with different themes. A dance-twirl division routine was performed to "Walk Like an Egyptian," and the half-time show division routine was performed to "Doctor, Doctor." The girls had specific costumes that matched their musical selections.

This year the competition team was honored to receive the champion title at the juvenile dance-twirl and half-time show competitions. Special duet honors were achieved by the performances of Outman and Sara Johnson. The team earned first and second place awards for its routine to "Private Eyes," and first place for its routine to "Bath Mix."

Enrollment for the 2007-2008 twirling season is open for girls ages 3 to 18. Fall classes begin the end of August but a special introductory class is being offered for those interested in trying baton twirling. For more information on the introductory class or fall lessons, call Kandi Staples at 649-2702 or 380-1413 or visit www.capejacksontwirlers.com.