NBTA International Inc.
NBTA International Inc.
NBTA INTERNATIONAL Inc. EST. 1947
NBTA International is the world’s preeminent baton twirling organization. created in 1947 by Don Sartell, the National Baton Twirling Association promotes the public awareness, interest, and participation in the sport of baton twirling, and provides the organizational guidelines for baton twirling programs, competitions, and events at local, regional, and national levels.
NBTA International Majors
Don Sartell established Majors to honor individuals who have made a tremendous impact to the sport of baton twirling and the National Baton Twirling Association. The organization as we know it today exists in many ways because of those listed here.
CURRENT MAJORS
Major Kay Colen, MD
Major Shirley DeVenney, AL
Major James Hallett, IL
Major Beverly Johnson, CA
Major Dennis Kaminski, WI
Major Belva Lamb, OK
Major Margaret Mann, TX
Major Mickey Marcel, LA
Major Ann Nita McDonald, IN
Major Joanne Schlueter, SD
Major Sherry Vignoli-Parisi, PA
DECEASED MAJORS
*Major Charles W. Boothe, IL
Major Bonnie Baxter, KS
Major Robert Dawson, OH
Major Jack DeVenney, AL
Major Margie Gilbert, MA
Major Sherry Daley Jung, WI
Major Audrey McWorter, IL
Major Eugene Shea, FL
Major Claudette Sisk, TN
Major Bud Skrivan, CA
Major Sugar Smith, MO
Major John Totilas, CT
*denotes first Major
News
America’s Youth on Parade
AYOP 2025
July 14-18 South Bend, IN
Official AYOP Schedule —
CLICK HERE
AYOP Individual and Team Entry Forms —
CLICK HERE
AYOP Judging Forms —
CLICK HERE
Official AYOP Scholarship Fund
and Letter from Jeff & Don Sartell —
Click Here
All rules as currently posted here on www.NBTAInternational.com will be the rules under which AYOP will operate. No rule changes will be made until after AYOP 2025.
IMPORTANT RULES REMINDER:
As of January 23, 2025 the current list of NBTA International judges who are paid and in good standing is available on the Judging page. In the interest of keeping our NBTA International community cohesive while striving for the highest quality judging at our events, only judges who are in good standing are eligible to judge for NBTA International contests and competitions. Contest Directors please take note.
The printed directory of active judges, complete with contact information, is in production and will be available soon.
Please reach out to Judges Commissioner Nancy DeCosmo Locke at nbtainternationaljudges@gmail.com if you believe your name has been omitted in error or if you have any questions about this list.
ACTIVE JUDGES LIST AVAILABLE NOW
AYOP 2025
Run by jeff & Don Sartell
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Follow NBTA International on Facebook & Instagram
For the latest in NBTA International Inc. news, updates, and announcements, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Connect with us here:
nbtainternational (Instagram)
NBTA International (Facebook
Entry and updates on the 2025 America’s Youth on Parade (AYOP) USA Twirling Championships.
Donate to AYOP Scholarship Funds: Miss Majorette of America Fund; National Majorette Scholarship Fund; NBTA International Team & Corp Fund; NBTA International Judges’ Choice Fund; NBTA International AYOP General Fund.
List of NBTA International Inc. sanctioned competitions — POSTED AS APPROVED.
Information on storied pageant structure and rules, now in its 78th year.
Rules &
Scoresheets
Information and rules on Solo, Team, and Corps twirling events.
Judging forms and information — updated as of September 15, 2024. Judges Corner webinar sign up. List of active Judges — updated as of May 15, 2025.
Directory of active Judges — updated as of May 15, 2025.
Sanction process and form — updated as of September 15, 2024.
Register as a member of NBTA International — athlete and coach registration forms.