EL PASO, TEXAS — Scarlett De La Rosa is bringing a familiar skill to a role UTEP has not seen in more than a decade.
De La Rosa is UTEP’s first feature twirler since 2015. She performs with the Marching Miners at university events, pep rallies and football games.
The UTEP student said she began baton twirling when she was 4 years old and has now been involved in the activity for 15 years.
“I started when I was about 4 years old, and I continued all the way through elementary school, middle school, and then high school,” De La Rosa said.
Before auditioning for UTEP during her senior year, De La Rosa was a feature twirler at Franklin High School, home to the only twirling group in the El Paso area.
She said being part of the Marching Miners allows her to share school spirit while performing alongside the band.
“It’s kind of just like a little bit of a spirit thing, to where I participate with the band, and I’m around the band a lot,” De La Rosa said.
De La Rosa said she is grateful for the people who supported her journey, including UTEP leaders, her mentor and her family.
“I’m more than grateful for all the people who helped me,” she said.
She hopes her performances help people recognize the athleticism and dedication behind baton twirling.
“I want people to know that it’s not just a little stick that I throw around,” De La Rosa said. “It’s really fun. It’s something that I incorporate into my everyday activity.”
De La Rosa encourages anyone interested in baton twirling to give it a try as she prepares to bring her energy to the Sun Bowl this season.