An elite twirl team made up of students from Lakeland and King’s Fork high schools in Suffolk, plus Portsmouth’s I.C. Norcom High School, had a successful competition debut Saturday.

Chanel Bryant, founder of For the Love of Band, and co-coach Tenisha Weston, majorette coach at King’s Fork High Schools, formed Satin Hearts Elite Twirlers last summer.

“The purpose of building the team is to give high step twirlers the opportunity to learn more techniques to build their skills and give them the opportunity to compete at a higher level, as the competitions we are competing in are sanctioned b the National Baton Twirlers Association,” Bryant stated.

On Saturday, the Satin Hearts competed in the Snow Festival Contest in Midlothian, hosted by the Royalettes Baton Corps.

The team competed in the Beginners Senior Dance/Twirl Division and was critiqued by certified NBTA judges.

“It was a different world for us, and the girls were noticed from the time we arrived at the event, because they were new and unheard of,” according to Bryant.

The Suffolk and Portsmouth girls rendered performances with choreographed dance sequences, group twirling stunts, intricate single baton techniques and two-baton twirling.

Bryant stated they received high marks in many areas, including “variety and difficulty, musical expression through use of the baton, unison, continuity and flow of routine, exchanges, floor coverage, musical interpretation and costume/accessories.”

Both coaches were proud of the team for its performance and the critique it received.

Bryant stated, “I couldn’t ask for anything more from the girls, as they have worked hard for months for their debut into the NBTA world. They truly showed that they have arrived and the critique they received also showed that they are respected for what they do.”

“We will continue to move forward, using the critique from the judges to grow,” she added.

The Satin Hearts will next compete in March and May in the team division, while its members plan to branch out and compete in some individual division as well, according to Bryant.

“We are excited about what is to come and the girls being able to compete at a higher level, which will make them even stronger twirlers,” Bryant stated.

Bryant has been a baton and flag instructor during her experience at the high school and collegiate level. She also serves as a competition adjudicator for indoor and outdoor auxiliary events.

Weston is the majorette coach for the award-winning King’s Fork Golden Silhouette Majorettes, and also a workshop instructor teaching young girls to twirl from the age of 5.