Meet the Coach: Mrs Abby

Hello, my name is Abigale (Abby) Violette. I have been a part of the baton twirling world since I was 5 years old and am now 28. I was a part of the kennebunk twirlers throughout my twirling career which consisted of performing in local community events, competing up to the regional level, assistant coaching (started at the age 14), and becoming a certified level 1 judge and coach. Now I'm here! I'm looking to start my own program, located in Gorham Maine where I now live with my husband, and our new little boy who was born in March of this year.

The main goal/purpose behind starting up Stellar Maine Twirl company is to build back the sport in Maine because, like most things, Covid hit this sport pretty hard around here. I want to grow the baton twirling community and spread the love of the sport, the life lessons, and confidence it instilled in me growing up. I hope to be able to inspire and impact children the way that I was influenced as a child. Now let me tell you a little more about myself, why I chose baton twirling and how it truly shaped my life.

Seeing the Kennebunk Twirlers twirling in the Memorial Day parade many moons ago, is what sparked little Abby's interest in baton twirling. The following fall my mom signed me up for a stretch beyond program and I was hooked. Although shy at the time, something about performing with others, helped me learn to be okay with being on stage.

As the years passed I fell more and more in love with the sport. A life lesson that was taught to me that will forever be the selling point on why I fell in love with the sport was taught to me by my former coach, Susan Plass and her life motto, "you can't count anyone out". At the age of 8 I became a kid that most sport programs counted out. With a couple years in a back brace and 3 spinal surgeries, which resulted in total back fusion, I became a kid that was unable to participate in other sports program. Susan's life motto mixed with the world of baton gave me a place that I could fit in. She altered routines around what I was able to do.

 

Baton twirling has so many different elements: dance, gymnastics, rolls, 2/3 baton. No matter your limitations in life baton twirling is a sport that can make any child shine. A few years later at the age of 13 or 14 I became the northr East regional intermediate 2 baton winner. Standing on that podium I knew twirling baton will always be my sport, and anyone else's who wants to make it there's, as baton is a sport that is made for anyone.