We qualified for the World Championships 🇺🇸

Where champions shine.

Competitive & recreational baton twirling from Hermitage, PA — a decade of titles, and now a spot on Team USA.

Worlds2026 · Team USA

The Spirit Baton team together at a performance

As seen performing with 🏀 Harlem Globetrotters 🏀 Cleveland Cavaliers 🏀 Erie Bayhawks 🎉 Parades & halftime shows

🇺🇸 Team USA · Road to Worlds

We're going to Worlds.

Athletes from Spirit Baton — alongside teammates from the Captivators — earned a place representing the United States at the World Championships. Help us get them there.

--Days

--Hours

--Minutes

--Seconds

💛 Donate Read their story

Fundraising goal

$0 raisedGoal

Every dollar helps cover travel, uniforms, coaching, and competition fees for our Team USA athletes.

0Years of champions
(since 2013)

0TU International
championship titles

0World & national-level
coaches

0Team USA
bid — Worlds!

About Spirit Baton

A decade of twirlers who go the distance.

Spirit Baton is a recreational and competitive baton twirling group with students from Hermitage, PA and the surrounding areas, including Ohio. We're under the direction of Ann Marie Pierce and Bonnie Sich.

Our twirlers perform in parades, at football and basketball games, and even at pro performances — we've performed with the Harlem Globetrotters, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Erie Bayhawks, and more. We're proud to have students twirling for their high schools and at the collegiate level.

Recreational & competitive
Ages tiny-tot to senior
Parades & halftime shows
High school & college twirlers

Spirit Baton coaches with the team at a competition

Our Staff

Coached by champions.

We love giving our students well-trained, qualified coaches — several are former world gold medalists and national champions.

Director

Ann Marie Pierce

Co-founder and director of Spirit Baton, leading the team's competitive and recreational programs.

Director

Bonnie Sich

Began twirling at age 3, competing nationally, and started teaching at 15. She taught the Wheatland Commanders, the Conquistadors, and the Sensations before creating Spirit Baton. Bachelor's and master's in early childhood education, with a background in physical education.

Coach · Registered Judge

Jillian Smith (Swauger)

Former Grand National Twirling Champion, multi-time USA World Team member, world gold medalist, national champion, U.S. ambassador to Peru, and former West Virginia University Feature Twirler. Now a registered judge and auxiliary advisor for Mathews High School.

Coach · Registered Judge

Marissa Pierce

Former USTA Collegiate National Champion, multi-time USA World Team member, world gold medalist, U.S. ambassador to Peru, national champion, and former Michigan State University Feature Twirler. Now a registered judge.

Coach

Stephanie Dietrich

Started twirling at 8 with the Centurions, winning Grand World Parade Corp with live music. Former national beginner team winner, 2nd runner-up in the beginner AYOP pageant, and former feature twirler/captain at Reynolds High School — now the majorette and flagline advisor at Reynolds.

Coach