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About Our Sister Groups
Diane is the founder of the Gangi Bay State Strutters. She is a graduate of Boston College and received her Master's degree in Education from Villanova University. She has held various honors as Miss Majorette of Massachusetts, featured twirler at Boston College as the Silver Girl and the Woburn City Band, Director of the Villanova University Band Front, and is the director of the Star Attraction School of Baton, Modeling and Related Arts. In 2006, Diane, along with her sister Elaine, was inducted into the NBTA Baton Twirling Hall of Fame. Diane is also in the AAU Baton Twirling Hall of Fame.
Star Attraction Baton Corps of Pennsylvania has team members in various areas such as King of Prussia, Upper Merion, Limerick, Oaks and Radnor. Diane coordinates programs in Downingtown, Tredyffrin, Radnor, Upper and Lower Providence, Marple, Whitemarsh and East Vincent. She has twelve teachers on staff. She also coaches an elite group of high school girls that competes nationally. Then there are the Villanova Twirlers, whom she coaches weekly. Diane is head of a mini baton twirling empire that includes programs in nearly a dozen Delaware, Chester and Montgomery County municipalities.
The Spirit of Massachusetts is a group of vivacious twirlers native to Massachusetts unified in support of one another. They are the essence of baton twirling in Massachusetts. The idea for a unified Massachusetts team developed out of wishful thinking. In 1995, after years of attending AYOP with his two daughters, Charlie Kupras wondered if there was a way to bring the twirlers from the Bay State together for national competition. During the course of the twirling season, the wish took on a life of its own and several coaches expressed interest in the idea. After the NBTA Northeast Regionals in May 1996, twirlers who twirled with five different coaches joined the team for nationals. The instructors came together to construct the routines, work on costuming, and practice the girls for perfection and precision. Charlie did his part by providing the T-shirt design. The effort was one of true collaboration. When the girls competed in the AYOP of 1996, they had only 1-½ months of preparation. To everyone's delight, the group won two times, an unbelievable feat! During the following year, the group marched together in several parades, and twirled at Brandies University basketball games. Their second competition was the Massachusetts State Solo and Team Competition. The Spirit of Massachusetts won the State Dance Twirl Championship! The team continually travels to AYOP Nationals and they continue to place and win. In their early years, the Spirit of Massachusetts provided an opportunity for twirlers from various groups to come together for fun and mutual support. It became a successful experiment in collaboration among coaches in Massachusetts to create a team for nationals based on friendship and good sportsmanship.
Who has been on the Spirit of Mass team over the years? Some former members have been: Current and former Strutters -- Alicia P, Alyssa K, Adrienne R, Amanda M, Candice M, Devin W, Justine C, Olivia K, Alison L, Chrissy P, Jordan F Current and former Belchertown Twirlers -- Alyssa L, Darcy R, Jenine D, Jenn M, Kelly K, Kristi K, Leah M, Renee S, Sabrina O, Sara G, Shana W, Elizabeth N, Brittany A, Alyssa F, Kara N Former Southboro Twirlers -- Ann H, Crystal L, Cynthia L, Lindsay L, Meg B Former Suburbanette -- Stacey G Former Revolution -- Gabrielle P, Kerri-Ann L And others -- Krista K, Jordan S, Rachael B, Shannon L, Vicky B (This is not a complete list.)
In 2000, one member, Meg B, wrote the following about the team: A few years back a group of talented twirlers were formed to create the Spirit of Massachusetts. This is where I learned a life long lesson that spirit is something you find though others' accomplishments, ideas and friendship. After being introduced to the "Spirit" I found that these new people that touched my life in so many ways would soon become my closest friends. For many of us it was the first time twirling on a team. Putting our own styles, routines and coaches aside, we became something remarkable. Slowly we learned that each of us brought something special into the team let it be silliness, dedication or determination. We came together and formed the greatest group of girls that will hold a place in my heart forever. Thanks to all those members of the "Spirit" from the past and present, I can't imagine never having the chance to be embraced by such wonderful spirits of young women. "The nature of what we are doing is less important than the SPIRIT we are doing it with." |
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More information on the Strutters...
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