A majorette on fire

Published 12:03 am Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Brianna Smith juggles three fire batons during Northview’s game at J.U. Blacksher last week. | Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance

Brianna Smith juggles three fire batons during Northview’s game at J.U. Blacksher last week. | Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance

Twirling fire is nothing new for Brianna Smith.

The Northview senior majorette has been twirling for nine years, and twirling fire for five.

Smith performs fire baton during halftime at the Chiefs’ football games. Her grandfather, David Smith, lights the kerosene-soaked ends and hands them to Brianna for her routine.

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Smith’s routine consists of her twirling the batons, three at a time, and throwing a baton in the air, turning and catching the baton. She said she’s working to get to where she performs with four fire batons.

“There are a lot of tricks you can do with it,” she said. “You’ve just got to be really creative with it.”

Smith has been a majorette at NHS since her freshman year.

Twirling fire may sound risky. Smith said she taught herself how to fire baton.

“I went to a clinic when I was in elementary school (for twirling), but during my freshman year, I taught myself how to fire (baton) and juggle,” she said. “All of the tricks I taught myself. I’m the majorette captain, and we don’t have instructors.

“We have to make up the routine,” she said.

When asked why she does fire baton, Smith said Karrissa Wimberly, a national champion baton twirler and head coordinator for baton at Florida State inspired her.

“When I watched her in competitions, I was like I want to do that,” Smith said. “Now, I’m doing competitions. Basically, she’s my role model.”

In addition to performing at football games, Smith said she’s participated in competitions in Atmore and Pensacola, Fla., and in parades.

During her busy schedule, Smith said she’s teaching other girls how to fire baton.

“They’re learning to juggle two and then will learn to juggle three,” she said.

Other than being a majorette, Smith said she’s a member of the Student Government Association, Drama Department and is also a bowler. She said she recently bowled her highest game at 276.

Smith is the daughter of Jessica Jalomo and Juan Jalomo; and the granddaughter of Cindy and David Smith of Milton, Fla.

 

The Northview senior majorette has been twirling for nine years, and twirling fire for five.

Smith performs fire baton during halftime at the Chiefs’ football games. Her grandfather, David Smith, lights the kerosene-soaked ends and hands them to Brianna for her routine.

Smith’s routine consists of her twirling the batons, three at a time, and throwing a baton in the air, turning and catching the baton. She said she’s working to get to where she performs with four fire batons.

“There are a lot of tricks you can do with it,” she said. “You’ve just got to be really creative with it.”

Smith has been a majorette at NHS since her freshman year.

Twirling fire may sound risky. Smith said she taught herself how to fire baton.

“I went to a clinic when I was in elementary school (for twirling), but during my freshman year, I taught myself how to fire (baton) and juggle,” she said. “All of the tricks I taught myself. I’m the majorette captain, and we don’t have instructors.

“We have to make up the routine,” she said.

When asked why she does fire baton, Smith said Karrissa Wimberly, a national champion baton twirler and head coordinator for baton at Florida State inspired her.

“When I watched her in competitions, I was like I want to do that,” Smith said. “Now, I’m doing competitions. Basically, she’s my role model.”

In addition to performing at football games, Smith said she’s participated in competitions in Atmore and Pensacola, Fla., and in parades.

During her busy schedule, Smith said she’s teaching other girls how to fire baton.

“They’re learning to juggle two and then will learn to juggle three,” she said.

Other than being a majorette, Smith said she’s a member of the Student Government Association, Drama Department and is also a bowler. She said she recently bowled her highest game at 276.

Smith is the daughter of Jessica Jalomo and Juan Jalomo; and the granddaughter of Cindy and David Smith of Milton, Fla.