By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor

The ACU color guard may have a new addition to its team this year.

Tiffany Thompson, sophomore education major from Garland, wants to twirl batons regularly with the guard.

As a freshman, Thompson joined the color guard and was allowed to twirl during two songs at the Centennial Celebration.

Thompson recalled standing on the sidelines as she prepared to twirl at her first college game, feeling incredibly nervous.

Twirling on a college field remains one of Thompson’s goals, and her minimal participation last year left her feeling a little disappointed, she said.

When twirling with the guard, Thompson said she was constantly moving, leaving no time for more complicated acrobatics she likes to include in her acts.

Thompson said the few weeks she was given to plan and practice her performance made for a very last-minute feel.

In high school, Thompson said her friends were used to her absence at school when she prepared for competitions; her routine was usually developed during a period of about four months.

Thompson’s passion for twirling is evident in her eagerness to increase her involvement with the color guard.

“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t twirl,” said Thompson, who has been twirling since age three. Thompson said she stopped competing at the end of last year, when she thought she had gone as far as she could.

Her years of competition earned many prestigious titles, among them Miss Majorette of Texas, a top 10 ranking in the Miss Majorette of America competition, a few world titles, and other regional titles.

Thompson also competed in the 2005 Junior Olympics, earning the coveted gold medal in two-baton and the silver medal in both one and three-baton events.

Laura Schmitt, captain of the color guard, appreciates Thompson’s talent in both the guard and as a twirler and would like to see her participate in both aspects of the color guard.

Schmitt said details have not been cemented for Thompson’s participation, but she knows the administration would like her to participate as a twirler, though perhaps in a role not as large and Thompson would like.

“I’m not asking for a spotlight. I just want to do what I’m good at,” Thompson explained.

Thompson is confident in her abilities as a twirler, and promises she will not make distracting errors.

“I wouldn’t go out there if I wasn’t practiced,” she said.