By Julie Huss
jhuss@derrynews.com
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DERRY — Ten Red Star Twirlers, along with parents, grandparents and coaches, are ready to take on the world.
The group of young baton twirlers is preparing to head to China to perform at the American Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai and also at the Great Wall. The group leaves next week.
The 35-year-old, Derry-based Red Star Twirlers continue to practice this week to prepare for their international trip, one of several taken abroad in the group's long history, including a trip to the Soviet Union in 1987.
Head coach Gina Hutchinson said the China trip is another in a long line of life experiences for her young twirlers, life moments that help shape them into strong, talented young women.
"This one will be a defining moment for this generation of Red Stars," Hutchinson said. "For my twirlers to see and experience Tiananmen Square and see the Great Wall, how can you ever describe that feeling?"
Hutchinson's daughter, Lori Branley Fischer, along with two grandsons, will be part of the Chinese contingent also.
"To share this with my grandsons and my daughter is such a bonus," she said.
The Red Stars are fresh off a trip to a national competition. Several twirlers earned top awards, including Alyssa McLaughlin, who took the national three-baton twirling honor, the Miss Majorette solo event, and placed eighth overall in the competition.
Hutchinson said she is looking forward to the China adventure next week and said her team has worked hard to prepare.
"We compete to keep our standard of twirling high, but our true love is performing shows," she said. "To be able to offer a trip of a lifetime, to continue teaching children about the world using batons as a vehicle, is priceless to me."
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