Passing the baton

Emma Clarke has been baton twirling for almost as long as she’s been walking, having first picked up a baton at just three years old. Thirteen years later, the 16 year old now dedicates her time to volunteering as a coach with her club Rhythmic Dance Twirlers four days each week. Since 2022, Emma has also been on the Irish team for baton twirling with Twirl Ireland. A TY student in Bailieborough Community School, she coaches children in baton, which she describes as a “mix of dancing and gymnastics with a baton”, and teaches them new tricks and routines.

“I really enjoy it,” she says of coaching.

“I like passing it on and seeing how much the girls improve and watching them grow.”

Emma recalls a story from a couple of weeks ago when one of her students, while at school, used her as an example of somebody she looks up to. Her student chose Emma because she loves her determination and how positive she is towards her students, and because she tells them to never give up. “It’s really cool to see the positivity comes off and means something to them,” she enthuses. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt over the phone while on work experience in a primary school, Emma says she “loves” working with children and would like to one day become a teacher, a decision which was aided by her experience of volunteering with children. “I’ve learned how to deal with situations, if they’re happy or upset or if there’s something going on,” she says. Emma’s nomination as a finalist for Young Volunteer of the Year “means a lot” to her. “It’s lovely,” she praises.