Marching to the beat of the music and twirling her baton, Teagan Miller (14) of Benoni High School is living her dream as a drum majorette.
Her skill and grace led to her receiving her South African Majorette and Cheerleading Association (Samca) national colours for the second time.
As a former learner at Rynfield Primary School, Teagan tried her hand at various sports but, by her own admission, said nothing really interested her.
“On some occasions, they told me I lacked the necessary hand-eye coordination to participate in ball sports,” she chuckled.
Eager to find her niche, her mom encouraged her to try out for the Laerskool Rynfield majorettes, and soon the spirited seven-year-old was wielding her mace during group displays.
The squad claimed national championship titles in 2016 and 2018, with Teagan working through the ranks to be selected as a sub-leader in 2019.
At the end of 2019, she was awarded Gauteng Colours for majorettes, followed by Samca trials in 2020, where she received the national colours and was selected for the national team.
“Shortly after the selection, the world shut down because of Covid-19, and all activities came to a grinding halt,” she said.
“I carried on training, hoping I would get the opportunity to represent my country on the world stage.
“In 2022, we received news that the team selected before Covid would travel to Croatia to participate in the Majorette World Federation World Championships.”
Having little more than three months to choreograph displays, the team won two gold and one bronze medal for duo mace group, mace group and a small drill.
As a high school learner, Teagan joined the Silver Jade Majorettes, a developmental club in Witfield, Boksburg.
Annually spending more than 520 hours honing her skills, Teagan again attained her provincial colours and was selected as part of the 26-strong junior national team, which will travel to Croatia in September.
“The majorettes in Europe are phenomenal. Their displays are highly technical and incorporate gymnastics,” she said.
“It is a great learning experience for us as we continue our efforts to keep the sport alive locally.”
Balancing academics and her aspirations as a majorette, she said there is little time for a social life. However, members of her squad have become her best friends.
“The sport is incredibly social and built on tight-knit friendships,” she said.
“I have the privilege to train and travel with my closest friends, experiencing new cultures and visiting new places.”
While proudly wearing her green blazer, Teagan said that although she is preparing to embark on her majorette journey as a senior, she is proud to have already achieved her goals.
“Since joining the Laerskool Rynfield squad, everything I worked for has already materialised. Now I want to turn my attention to new majorettes and hope I can share my knowledge with them,” she said.
“When I am performing, I am at my most comfortable. I am proud of this version of me. Through kindness, I want to guide others to reach their dreams as we grow together.”
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