Jonnie Peterson instills confidence and fun to Oak Grove youth with free baton twirling class

Walking into the Oak Grove Community Center on a Monday night, you will see batons flying through the air and into the hands of children as Jonnie Peterson teaches and encourages fun for all.

ContributedJonnie PetersonBaton twirling class at the Oak Grove Community Center.

OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Walking into the Oak Grove Community Center Monday nights, people will witness batons soaring through the air while Jonnie Peterson leads the way with enthusiasm and a focus on fun for kids in her baton twirling class.

“My mom was a twirler, so I started pretty much the day I was born,” said Peterson. With over 61 years of competitive judging and coaching experience, Peterson is now taking all skills to the community.

In Oak Grove, the class began only about a month and a half ago where participants ages four and up have been learning the basics of twirling. “It teaches them hand eye coordination, builds self-esteem, self-confidence, and sportsmanship,” Peterson told Christian County Now.

Alongside Peterson is her 19-year-old daughter Harlie, who is representing the United States in the baton twirling world championship next year. Together, the two of them challenge kids all while remembering to have a good time. “We want them walking away feeling confident and better about themselves,” she said.

Starting with the basics

Peterson said one of the first things taught is a classic figure eight motion where one guides the baton from the front to the back. After that, participants will learn tosses, which is one of her personal favorites. “My grandfather would take me to a building in our town when I was growing up and he would walk up to the fourth story window,” said Peterson. “He would say ‘toss it up to me’, and that’s how I would practice,” she laughed.

Participants will also learn jumps, proper kicks, and incorporate some dance into their twirling routine.

Each class at the community center is an hour long and is free to Oak Grove residents. With only about eight current participants, Peterson says she hopes to see the class grow. “I want to see the kids learn and doing new things rather than out on the streets. We want to give them something to control their energy,” she said. “I love working with the kids no matter how many it is, we just have a lot of fun together.”

Currently, the class has been preparing for the Christmas in the Grove event on Dec. 6. Peterson says that other local classes will get involved and they will all perform a routine in the local holiday parades. For more information on the class, contact Jonnie Peterson at 270-881-2004.

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