TWIRL FOR THE ROSES: OPEN CONTEST
Miss Kentucky Derby Majorette: Contestants will compete in Modeling, Solo, and Strut.
NOVICE LEVEL:
Modeling - Derby Day attire, Circle T pattern WITH interview.
Solo - See NBTA Rule book, link available on website.
Basic Strut - performed in a box square with each leg consisting of 8 counts. The music will be standard NBTA marching music.
BEGINNGER, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCE LEVELS:
Modeling - Derby Day attire, Circle-T pattern WITH interview.
Solo - See NBTA Rule book, link available on website.
X-Strut - See NBTA Rule book
A Day at the Derby Model: Open to males and females, males and females will compete seperately. Contestants will model casual wear that reflects attending the Derby in a Circle-T modeling pattern with NO INTERVIEW. Hats/Fascinators are not required but encouraged as they are seen as a Derby Day Tradition and is a fun way to showcase your own unique style. Examples of Derby attire can be found on our website www.kentuckytwirlingconsortium.com .
Best Appearing: Open to females only, contestants perform a Circle-T modeling pattern with NO INTERVIEW. Contestants are to model in costume for all age divisions. NBTA Rules and Scoresheets will be followed.
Derby Hat Choice: This is a fun event where each contestant creates their own derby hat and the general public silently vote on which hat they believe is the most classical, most eccentric, and most whimsical. Examples can be found on our website www.kentuckytwirlingconsortium.com .
Parade March: Contestants perform a basic parade march routine in a square formation, each leg being 8 steps in length for a total of 32 counts, with a left flank occurring on each 8th count. Lower body movements are to be marching steps in a left-right pattern in step with the music. Basic NBTA marching music will be used. Contestants will perform once. No gymnastics.
Twirl for the Roses High-Point Memorial Award:
To pay tribute to my eldest daughter, Ms. Heather Byrdwell, we have established the Twirl for the Roses High-Point Memorial Award. Heather started twirling at the age of 3 and though she never completely embraced the competitive side of twirling she did represent KY as the 0-6 Beginner Pageant Winner in 1987 at the age of 6, winning the state title with a broken arm. I believe it was at this moment she formed the lasting commitment to face life’s physical challenges head on. From hiking the Appalachian Trail to
scuba diving the depths of the ocean no physical challenge was too much for her. She saw athleticism as strength and had a distinct way of encouraging others to pursue their goals. The Twirl for the Roses High-Point Memorial Award is given to the contestant with the highest points at the end of the Twirl for the Roses open competition. The recipient receives a 6’ Traveling Trophy, baton bouquet, sash, crown and a $150 cash award.
This is a 6' traveling trophy that must be returned on or before the 2026 Twirl for the Roses competition, which is tentatively scheduled for April 25, 2026. It is the receipting’s responsibility to either ship or make arrangements to meet with the contest director to return the trophy (it can be broken down for easier shipping.)
Note, you DO NOT have to enter all qualifying events. Of course, the more events you are entered in the more chances you have to earn points. With that said, you also don’t want to push yourself by entering too many events where you have to jump from lane to lane without a break in between each event. Enter wisely 😊
MISS MAJORETTE OF KENTUCKY
Kentucky Novice Skills Pageant: Open to Kentucky residents only. Contestants will compete in Costume Modeling w/interview (20%), Basic March (40%), and Solo (40%). Age groups 0-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16+. Solo determines division status.
Kentucky Beginner & Intermediate Pageant: Open to Kentucky residents only. Contestants will compete in Costume Modeling w/interview (20%), X-Strut (40%), and Solo (40%). Age groups 0-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16+. Solo determines division status.
Miss Majorette of Kentucky Pageant: Open to Kentucky residents only. Contestants will compete in Modeling w/interview (20%), X-Strut (40%), and Solo (40%). Little & Juvenile model in short gown/dress dress; Preteen model in a short or long gown/dress; and Junior & Teenage model in a long gown/dress. Age groups 0-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16+. Solo determines division status.
Collegiate Miss Majorette of Kentucky Pageant: Open to contestants attending a Ky college/university. Collegiate events are:
Modeling w/interview: Contestants model in a long gown/dress using the Circle-T pattern. Time limit 1:00 (20% of overall score)
X-Strut: Time limit 1:30 – 2:00 (40% of overall score)
Solo: Overall time limit 2:20-2:30. Required 1 baton competition solo portion must precede freestyle portion. Competition One Baton Solo minimum time limit is 1:10. Penalty .1 per second for not reaching the minimum solo baton time limit. Freestyle portion may include multiple batons and novelty. No penalty is given if a contestant chooses to devote all to one baton performance. Other batons(s) purposely grounded need not be picked up before final salute. If routine ends with multiple batons in hand, salute with one baton in the traditional salute position and the remaining baton(s) in the opposite hand. .5 penalty improper salute. No props or background scenery 2.0 penalty for violation. (40% of overall score)
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
General Information: State events are open only to contestants who reside in the state of Kentucky or attend college in the state of Kentucky.
State Queen: Female onlys. Contestants model using the Circle-T pattern with NO interview. Little & Juvenile model in short gown/dress dress; Preteen model in a short or long gown/dress; and Junior & Teenage model in a long gown/dress. Age groups 0-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16+.
Solo: Female and Male compete separately.
Collegiate Solo Championships: The Collegiate solo will showcase the collegiate twirler’s performance during a university’s football halftime show demonstrating the athlete’s ability to entertain an entire stadium audience through twirling skills, unique travel steps/moves, school spirit, coordinating all with band music. This includes a variety of audience appealing twirls/moves that are eye-catching and effective on the field, including travel steps synchronized with the music, giving total field coverage (not a 50-yard line solo). The Judge’s adjudication will be from a spectator’s point of view. One baton and multiple batons may be used. No fire, props or novelty. Any piece of equipment or material that is not a baton that can be used or removed, such as glasses, hats, cape, hoop batons, flag batons, etc., will result in a 2.0 penalty. Standard NBTA safety rules will be in effect. Time limit is 2:00 maximum. Marching band music is required. Inclusion of a fight song is highly recommended. The use of marching band music may include an announcer overlay. Any other music results in a 2.0 penalty.
State Duet: Both contestants must reside in the state of Kentucky or attend college in the state of Kentucky. Female and Male compete together.
Any state events not listed above: can be found in the NBTA Rule book. A copy of or link to the rule book can be found on our website.
