Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

Four Baton Lessons

By

I transferred from a small school (50 students K-12) to a big school (about 83 graduates) in my sophomore year. Gaylord had a band.

I loved football Fridays. I loved the half-time shows–the drums, the horns, the cymbals, the marching, 

I wanted to join that band!

Bad. Really bad.

But I couldn’t play an instrument. None. Zilch.

Dead dream.

But . . .

What if I learned to twirl?

But how?

My mom knew a little about twirling. She showed me with a broom. And then bought me a real baton.

I spent the whole summer learning to twirl in front of me, pass behind my back, pass under my leg, spin with one hand, throw and catch.

Practiced. Practiced. Practiced.

Alone.

I showed up for tryouts in my junior year. I thought I would throw up.

But I made the cut! Although now I can’t really remember if they cut anyone. But at least I didn’t stink enough for them to say, “Strut on out of here.”

Miss Majorette. Band member.

 That’s me with the glasses.

Lesson 1: If you want something bad enough, you can find a way.
I reached for a star and caught its tail. We majorettes practiced alone and then practiced with the band. I loved “strutting” on the field. I loved dodging horns and drums to take positions through the ranks. I loved freezing football nights when my baton turned to ice and strangers loaned me blankets. I loved throwing (and catching) my baton. I loved feeling like I had done my best, put on a good show.

I remember the band instructor had a saying that went something like this.

“Michigan State walks on the field. U of M marches. We march!”
Obvious what school he favored. But a call to excellence.
Lesson 2: Learning doesn’t stop once you realize a dream. Strive for excellence.

My senior year. Head majorette. I don’t remember how, and I think my only job was to schedule practices. But I got to wear a big furry hat! And I had to learn how to balance it while still dashing through the horns–who thought it was fun to try and run us over.
The majorettes led the band in parades. I loved marching to the drum cadence and then breaking into our routine when the band struck up the music. One day my hat crashed to the pavement. I hesitated in momentary horror. Then I did what any professional would do. I stepped over it and kept on going. I don’t know who rescued it and returned it to me unscathed at the end of the parade.

Lesson 3: Sometimes you just have to step over obstacles and keep going.
The summer after graduation, I ran for Alpine Queen (now Alpenfest Queen.) I chose to perform a routine with my baton, probably to a Sousa march or something. I don’t remember. Anyway, I threw the baton up. And missed the catch. The baton hit the stage and bounced on the large rubber end–right back into my hand! And I kept on going.
Some thought I recovered well. Some thought I intentionally incorporated that into my routine.
I knew I messed up.

But I WON the talent competition.

Lesson 4: We might experience failure, but winners always bounce back.

I still have that baton. I think I’ll dig it out and hang it here in my writing room.

How have you claimed a dream? What obstacles have you had to step over? Have you had to bounce back from “failure?”
NOTE: Thanks to Jody Hedlund whose posts on dreams this past week inspired these memories. If you haven’t checked out her blog, Author, Jody Hedlund, you should!
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

Comments

  1. lindayezak says

    I learned how to twirl the same way. I started with the figure eight and just kept at it until it got tighter and tighter. I practiced all the other moves I'd see the girls do, too, but I was already in the band and wasn't willing to give it up to become a twirler.

    Great lessons learned from that experience–for both of us! Thanks for the memories.

  2. Karen Lange says

    Great lessons! Thanks for sharing this, and for sharing your story.
    Happy weekend,
    Karen

  3. Sandra Heska King says

    Another lesson–sometimes ya gotta choose between two good things. Can't do it all!

    Have a great weekend, you two!

  4. The Lurker says

    Even brought back memories for me of that same phrase from what I believe was that same band director — many years later, of course. And then seeing the picture of the old (then new) house — and the PLANT! Nice job.

  5. Jody Hedlund says

    Aw, Sandra, what great pictures and I loved hearing your story about your baton twirling days! And each of your lessons is so applicable to anything we want to pursue. What a great post! I'm so glad I inspired you to write it! 🙂

  6. Sandra Heska King says

    @The Lurker: Yes, that same director was there a long time! That plant was around forever, wasn't it? Is that the checkerboard table?

    @Jody: You always inspire me. Aren't the pictures a hoot? Did you get a good look at that television?

  7. T. Anne says

    I love the encouragement here! Great analogy, and yes I believe the harder you try at something you will get invaluably better. I pray my writing gets much, much, better! Thanx for the encouraging post!

  8. Sandra Heska King says

    Thanks for stopping in, T. Anne, and for following. I just took a stroll over to your blog. Good stuff.

  9. katicaburns says

    Hello. I stumbled upon your blog and I am from Gaylord, too! I am interested in blogging reading all that is out there!

    Kate (Prendergast) Burns
    Gaylord Graduate 1995

  10. Sandra Heska King says

    Hi Kate! How cool. Are you related to Carrie? I graduated with her. 🙂

  12. Sandra Heska King says

    Small world! Well, maybe not so much when you splatter yourself all over the Internet. 😉 Come back and visit again. 😀

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