Topics

More

Gillian Brooks Named Next Blue Sapphire Twirler

One of the most exciting halftime traditions at Penn State is the performance of the featured twirler, also known as the Blue Sapphire. Rachel Reiss has been Penn State’s featured twirler for the past four years, but she’s expected to graduate this semester.

After holding auditions to select Reiss’s replacement, the Blue Band named incoming freshman Gillian Brooks the next Blue Sapphire. Brooks is a senior at Walled Lake Western High School in Michigan, where she’s been a majorette since 2015.

Although she hasn’t even graduated from high school yet, Brooks is no stranger to the spotlight. She’s been recognized as a nine-time national two-baton champion and a three-time national three-baton champion, according to her college twirling audition tape.

She’s also a six-time national strut champion and the 2013 grand national twirling champion. She’s competed on the National Baton Twirling Association’s Team USA and earned four bronze medals at the world twirling competition.

You can catch Brooks on the field Beaver Stadium this fall — she’ll be the one with the baton. Congratulations and good luck, Gillian!

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Elissa Hill

Elissa was the managing editor of Onward State from 2017-2019. She is from Punxsutawney, PA [insert corny Bill Murray joke here] and considers herself an expert on all things ice cream. Follow her on Twitter (@ElissaKHill) for more corny jokes.

Everywhere, Everything, All At Once: Dennis Wilkins’ Senior Column

“Just as I thought it could, Penn State changed my life.”

‘It’s More Than Just Trains’: A Look Inside Penn State’s Model Railroad Club

Recognized by Penn State as a club in 1955, the Model Railroad Club is the second oldest club on campus.

Kappa Sigma Fraternity Returns To Penn State

The fraternity was previously suspended through December 2024 for multiple violations of university protocol.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
64.5kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter

Other posts by Elissa

2020 Blue-White Game To Kick Off April 18

More details will be announced following the 2019 season, but the game is usually scheduled for a mid-afternoon kickoff and aired live on BTN.

Penn State Football Announces First Five Kickoff Times For 2019 Season

Behring, Barlow, Engeman, & Marshall Secure Democratic Nominations For State College Borough Council