Twirlers earn spots on high school, college squads

Northern Strut twirling teams marked their 15th season by sending several members off with impressive honors.

Two locals earned spots on twirling teams at the collegiate level and 10 more twirlers will take their talents to the high school level.

Poland’s Meghan Susko will twirl for the Kent State University Touch of Gold Twirlers next year while Jillian Wollet, also of Poland, will compete with the University of Pittsburgh Golden Girls.

Twirlers selected for area high school positions include: Shannon Chaffee, Megan Howard and Kerry Kingsley of the Boardman Spartan Twirlers; Monica Mattiussi and Jessica Yozwiak of the Cardinal Mooney Twirlers; Celia Melillo and Dina Notareschi of the Poland Majorettes; Cali Gialousis and Kathryn Rosinski of the Ursuline Majorettes and Color Guard; and Emmy Graffius of the Western Reserve Color Guard.

They earned numerous honors at marching auxiliaries competitions, several positions on local collegiate twirling lines and high school majorette lines. They expanded their silks (color guard) program and are sending seven members to the Marching Auxiliaries Summer Camp and Competition later this month.

The competition season with marching auxiliaries earned Northern Strut two champion ensembles, one champion senior team twirl and two champion soloists as well as nine additional overall placements in the twirler and color guard divisions at the Ohio Classic.

Additionally, two members earned Superior I ratings at the national competition and Madeline Crish placed sixth overall in the junior twirler category. Many members also competed and placed in local NBTA and TU competitions this season.

Northern Strut also welcomes new members Amanda Dicks and Amanda Lehnerd of the Springfield Majorettes.

Additionally, this summer, Jessica Bowers Hall of East Palestine will be preparing for her second year audition as Geneva College Twirler and Ben Howard will be working toward his audition for The Ohio State University D-Row (drum major-in-training).

Several twirlers will be attending the Marching Auxiliaries Summer Camp and Competition held annually at Ashland University. Those attending the event will include Shannon Chaffee, Kathryn Rosinski and Jessica Yozwiak of Boardman; Emmy Graffius of Canfield; Madeline Crish of Poland; and Amanda Dicks and Amanda Lehnerd of Springfield.

They will be working to achieve Northern Strut’s 10th consecutive grand champion honor at the camp.

NSTT expanded its silks program this year and are welcoming Kathy Coleman of Liberty to the instructional staff beginning this summer. She is a former Liberty High School Flag Line member and captain as well as a former member of the YSU Marching Pride Flag Line and former instructor of the Boardman Spartan Silks.