Local Girls Win Twirling Championship Titles

Four members of the Catoctin-Aires Twirling Corps recently captured the titles of Miss Capital Area Marching Association (Miss C.A.M.A.) at the individual championship event, held in Hagerstown, Maryland. Hannah Gonzales-Diaz of Emmitsburg was named as the Miss C.A.M.A. Queen in the Novice 7-9 age division. Gonzales-Diaz also won the Advanced Tiny Tot Leader award for leadership within her group in marching corps competition.  She attends Emmitsburg Elementary School. Erika Oland of Thurmont earned the title of Miss C.A.M.A. Queen in the Novice 13-15 age division. Oland is a national team competitor with the group and a member of the “no-drop” squad of competition group twirlers. She is a student at Catoctin High School. Rachel Bechler of Frederick earned the title of Miss C.A.M.A. Queen in the Novice 16-18 age group. Bechler is also a national team competitor and is a member of the “no-drop” squad of competition group. She attends Linganore High School. Paula Jean Sharrer of Myersville earned the title of Miss C.A.M.A. Queen in the 19+ Beginner division. Sharrer is a coach with the Catoctin-Aires, teaching beginner students and the pom pom squad. The Miss C.A.M.A. event is held to determine the best overall presentation of performance in the areas of twirling, strutting, and modeling combined. This championship contest is held annually at the conclusion of the Capital Area Marching Association’s competitive season. Along with individual competition, the organization also hosts competition for dance-twirl teams, pom teams, color guards, and percussion units, as well as majorette-street style marching. The Catoctin-Aires, a member of the C.A.M.A. organization since 1977, is currently operating its free four-week introductory program for beginner twirlers. A new class for brand new twirlers is planned for January 2017. It will be held on Monday evenings at the Emmitsburg Community Center Gym. Two classes are being held this year: children ages three-five (6:00-6:30 p.m.); children ages six years and over (6:45-7:30 p.m.). Batons are loaned free for class time. For registration or more information, please contact the group’s director, Donna Landsperger, at 240-405-2604 or [email protected].