Brooke Gelbwaks, age 7, daughter of Jeff and Kiff Gelbwaks, recently competed in the American Youth on Parade NBTA, National and World Baton Twirling competition at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.
Gelbwaks won 1st place in the National 2 Baton, Flag Twirling and All Around Solo Twirling competitions, giving her the title of National Winner in these events. She also placed in the top four in other events entered, as well as placing 8th in the Grand National “Little Big One” finals. Her team, the Sundancers Baton Twirlers, brought home Top 10 placements in all team and dance events, including two 1st-place wins.
Gelbwaks has competed in this national contest for two years and has been twirling for four years. She is taught by Lynette Starkey, director of Sundancers Baton Twirlers of Orlando and Barbara Patrick, director of Patrick’s Patriots of Tampa.
Check out our Q&A with Brooke and her mom, Kiff, below!
NHN: When did Brooke start doing baton?
KG: In the fall of 2014, Brooke was 3 and started twirling with the Sundancers Baton Twirlers at NorthLake Park Elementary in the after-school program.
NHN: What is your favorite part about baton?
BG: My favorite part about baton twirling is being with my best friends because we all have fun and laugh a lot. It’s like we’re all sisters.
NHN: What do these recent awards mean to you?
BG: They are very special to me because I worked hard for them and it’s only my second year going to nationals.
NHN: What was the hardest to achieve?
BG: My hardest was doing everything to my very best ability during that whole week. I practiced hard all year and wanted to show the judges my very best routines at nationals.
NHN: What is the hardest part about baton?
BG: Catching the baton because you always want an all catch routine.
NHN: What has been your favorite baton memory?
BG: Being in the “big girl” team routines when I’m the littlest girl there.
NHN: What do you want to do when you’re older?
BG: I want to be a world champion baton twirler, and I want to be the feature twirler at the University of Iowa.
NHN: Does she have any upcoming competitions?
KG: Competition season starts in February 2019 – she’ll be traveling to Tampa, Maryland, and Georgia to compete in the spring. She will be performing with the Sundancers at the upcoming Conway Days and at the Lake Nona Relay for Life.
