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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 8, 2008 - 29 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2008 Baton twirling boosts young girl's confidence Maggie, who competes in solo and two baton, finished in the top five and advanced to represent Ontario and qualify for the Nationals. She was fourth in both solo and two baton. While she was one point short By Hiba Kesebi of receiving a medal at the SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Nationals, Maggie is happy with her achievement. Ten-year-old Maggie Bowman "Kim makes us set a goal for used to be involved in dance, ourselves and then see if we can swimming and baseball. achieve it," she explained. "My But at five years old, she disgoal was to make it to the nationcovered that her true passion als and I did." wasn't dance, nor swimming, and Mary and Maggie go to although she still plays baseball, Burlington as much as three the sport is definitely not her life. times a week for baton lessons. Five years ago, through the That's because there is no similar help of Kim Genton and her nonclub in Oakville, they said. profit group, Pizzazz, Maggie The Bowmans are keen on came to know baton twirling -- keeping Genton as Maggie's the sport she most identifies instructor because she teaches with. her students Maggie is more than just shy -- a fact "It has been absolutely baton - she that everyone fabulous for building her teaches them who knows her poise, politeself-esteem and confidence." is well aware ness, goal setof. But all that ting and deter Mary Ouida-Bowman, changes when mination. Maggie's mom she's holding "She's really the metal an inspiration to baton rod. Maggie," Mary said. Her posture straightens, her Genton, 48, has been doing neck stretches and her face forms baton since she was eight years a determined look. old. She graduated from universiHer fingers twirl the rod, and ty at 18 years of age and immediher hands almost intuitively ately started teaching the sport. stretch when the baton is about "Baton is life," Genton to calmly fall in between them. explained. "It teaches children "It (baton twirling) has been that there's winning and losing. absolutely fabulous for building "It teaches them that in order her self-esteem and confidence," to obtain a goal, you have to work explained Mary Ouida-Bowman, towards it. That is an important Maggie's mom. "It is a great exerlesson that I try to emphasize cise and has taught her discibecause I don't think it is emphapline. Maggie can be shy so we sized enough." have noticed a great difference in Genton currently teaches 51 her personality as she has accomstudents, ages four to 21. plished things in baton." Throughout her years as an According to Genton, Maggie's instructor, Genton has taught accomplishments are very notemany students, some of whom worthy. She recently went to the were shy like Maggie. However, Canadian Baton Championships also much like Maggie, she in Moncton, N.B. watched them grow and become Local girl winning awards for her skill at the sport CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER TWIRL TIME: Maggie Bowman, 10, demonstrates poise and confidence when she holds the baton. Maggie recently competed at the Canadian Baton Championships in Moncton, N.B. more confident both with baton and life in general. "Kids who are quiet learn to be more expressive," she said. "That's what our group offered Maggie. Pizzaz has had the privilege of having students win from the provisional up to the world champion level." Genton was taught baton by Sandi Watt, a retired Halton teacher, who has taught in Oakville schools for many years. She was a Canadian champion in baton 30 years ago. Today, Genton said she is privileged to have Watt as one of the club's instructors. Genton has plans to open a baton club in Oakville this September. She will teach the students alongside her daughter, who is a baton champion herself, and older girls in the Burlington club who are ready and wish to teach. Moreover, Genton will also incorporate a dance component and pompom routine. Registration for the club will cost $30 per month. For more information, call Kim Genton at 905-659-6947.