The Calhoun High School Majorettes recently competed at the Drum Majorettes of America (DMA) national competition held in Hickory, North Carolina and won.

D.M.A. is one of the largest and most active baton twirling organizations in existence and also is one of the largest team twirling competitions.

The current CHS Majorettes are four time state champions 2009 – 2012 and now can add a national title to their list of accomplishments. ]

At the end of the last school year both the coaches and girls made a commitment to each other to train for next upcoming DMA national competition. They dedicated their summer to long hours of practice on the field and in the gymnastics gym to ensuring that they would be at their best and their hard work paid off. Not only did they win first place in their category they also won Best Overall High School Line.

They performed a six-minute and a three-minute routine. During their long routine one technical glitch did occur. The individual running the sound system stopped their music as they were going into their last song.

The girls didn’t miss a beat, Captain Molly Pierson picked up a verbal count and the girls finished the routine to a standing ovation from the crowd.

This year’s championship line is lead by five seniors: Erica Cleary, Celeste Holbrook, Taylor Palmer, Meredith Parrot and Captain Molly Pierson. The underclassmen are Junior Molly Palmer and Sophomores Katherine Barton, Rachel Green, Maisie MacKnight, and Macy Parrot.

CHS Band Director Michael Clark, Coach Tracy Burger Farriba, and former 1972 Majorette Queen of America Debbie Hunt Dillard were the driving forces behind the girls. Their efforts and mentorship are invaluable to the girls.

You can see the National Champion CHS Majorettes, the award winning “Pride of the Northland” CHS Yellow Jacket Marching Band, and the current AA State Champion Football champions, the CHS Yellow Jackets, Friday nights at Phil Reeve stadium during the 2012 football season.