DANCERS SET FOR WORLDS : ROYAL PRACTICES FOR CHAMPIONSHIP.Byline: Alicia Doyle Doyle , Sir Arthur Conan 1859-1930. British writer known chiefly for a series of stories featuring the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes, including The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902). Daily News Staff Writer For the 24-member dance guard at Royal High School, months of spinning, twirling Twirling is any of several artforms, hobbies, or sport and recreational activities accomplished by spinning or rotating the twirled object either for exercise, or in a rhythmic, or otherwise artful manner. , memorizing and perfecting a four-minute routine have finally paid off. The teens have qualified for the world championships, which will take place in Ohio in mid-April. The group compete against 160 of the world's best teams. ``I'm nervous,'' said Michelle Arnold, 17. ``Everybody knows we're going, and I'm afraid we're gonna gon·na Informal Contraction of going to: We're gonna win today. fold under the pressure.'' Since early December, the group's members have spent hours practicing each day after school. They've spent the weekends competing against teams throughout Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, and beyond, including Fresno, Long Beach, Riverside and Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . They've sacrificed their social lives and their home lives, squeezing in study time when they weren't competing in the field. The group qualified for the world championships in February after taking first place against 40 other teams during the regional competition in Riverside. This is the third year the group has qualified for the world championships, but the first time they can afford to attend. Last year, the dance guard was unable to participate in a world competition in Japan because they didn't have the funds to travel so far. ``I hope we win,'' said Pattie Snyder, 18, the team's lieutenant LIEUTENANT. This word has now a narrower meaning than it formerly had; its true meaning is a deputy, a substitute, from the French lieu, (place or post) and tenant (holder). Among civil officers we have lieutenant governors, who in certain cases perform the duties of governors; (vide, the . ``But if we don't come back in first place, it will be worth it as long as we feel good about ourselves.'' While the dance guard draws attention during halftime at school football games, the group typically has gone unnoticed on campus, Snyder explained. But this year is different, she added. ``This is the first time they're really starting to know what dance guard is, and how hard we work,'' Snyder said. ``Before it was like, `You do what?' Now, they're understanding how important it is to us.'' Wearing their black, crushed velvet velvet, fabric having a soft, thick, short pile, usually of silk, and a plain twill or satin weave ground. The pile surface is formed by weaving an extra set of warp threads that are looped over wires as in Wilton carpet, the rods being withdrawn after the weft costumes, the group will perform to the Aerosmith song ``Dream On'' during the world championships in April. Although their anxiety is increasing as competition day draws near, they are confident about their routine, formations and poise. ``I think we'll do pretty good,'' Snyder said. ``We've worked hard enough.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1) The Royal High dance guard practices in the s chool cafeteria cafeteria: see restaurant. . Next month, they will be competing in the world championships in Ohio. (2) The team stretches before practice. The group is gearing up for the world championships in Ohio. (3) Lynn Matsunaga, flag captain for the Royal High School dance guard, practices in the school cafeteria. David Sprague/Daily News |
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