Danielle McDonald, a freshman at Ball State University and a feature twirler with the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band (POMA), is preparing for an incredible opportunity.

In August, she will travel with her hometown twirling team, the Razzle Dazzles from Zion, Ill., to compete in the 2025 International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF) World Majorettes Championship, the Technical Baton Twirling Championship, and the Nations Cup in Turin, Italy.

Ms. McDonald’s upcoming international performances were set in motion as a 4-year-old. Bored with tagging along to her brother’s basketball practices, she needed something to do—a hobby of her own. Her mom, Lisa, signed her up for baton twirling classes at the same recreation center, and she quickly fell in love with the sport.

“I wasn’t some prodigy, though,” she said with a laugh. “It took a long time to get where I am.”

And where she is now is remarkable. Ms. McDonald has twirled through childhood, middle, and high school—balancing schoolwork with competition practices and performances. Her team has already competed at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Liverpool. This Summer, they’ll take the floor in Italy—a dream she once half-joked about, only to see it come true.

“I told everyone, ‘I’ll only come back for another year if we go to Worlds and if it’s in Italy,’” she said. “So… here we are.”

Life as a Twirler

At Ball State, Ms. McDonald is one of three feature twirlers—performing alongside the Pride of Mid-America at football games and campus events. Being a feature twirler means she choreographs her routines and practices independently, often weaving in elements she’s preparing for the competition floor.

“During the Fall, it’s easier,” she said. “Marching band time is blocked into my schedule so that I can get practice in. Spring semester is harder—it’s just me carving out time between a full class load.”

Her routines aren’t just about technique—they’re about storytelling and showmanship. And it’s work. She trains for hours each weekend during the academic year, and in the Summer, it’s daily practices. Even with the demanding schedule, she says twirling has never felt like a chore.

“It’s my community. The Razzle Dazzles are like a second family,” she said. “We’ve done everything together—baby showers, bridal showers…it’s not just a team. These are my people.”

The World Stage

The World Championships are a far cry from local rec center showcases. Every detail—from team travel logistics to strict pre-performance protocol—is orchestrated with precision. In Italy, the team will undergo passport checks, timed warmups, and even a floor walkthrough the day before competition to ensure it’s ready to perform within strict boundaries.

“When your music starts at Worlds, it starts immediately. No delay,” Ms. McDonald said. “You have to be in position and ready—there’s no room for hesitation.”

Still, the international trips have offered more than just intense competition. Ms. McDonald’s team has explored the Anne Frank House, the Eiffel Tower, and exhibits of The Beatles during their previous travels, and this Summer they’re planning an excursion to the Swiss Alps before competing.

Saying Goodbye

This year marks Danielle’s last with the Razzle Dazzles. It’s not because she’s aging out—there’s no such rule—but because she knows it’s time. She’s ready to focus on college life and her major in speech pathology and audiology within Ball State’s College of Health, and everything it has to offer.

“After three Worlds, I just feel like I’ve done what I came to do,” she says. “There’s more I could do individually, but the time and effort it takes… I’m ready for my own time.”

She’s not walking away from the baton entirely—she still has her role at Ball State with POMA and will continue to support from the sidelines the Razzle Dazzle community that gave her so much.

Ms. McDonald is just beginning her journey at Ball State. She has a few years ahead of her filled with big ambitions and a passion for performance. And now, with the discipline and dedication of more than a decade of training behind her, she’s ready to focus on what comes next. Whether that involves twirling on the field or leading in a completely new way, one thing is sure: She knows how to take the stage and shine.