The Waterville girl, Annie Galati, was recently crowned 2026 Little Miss Majorette of America and Grand National Twirling Champion at the America’s Youth on Parade (AYOP) National Baton Twirling Championships at the University of Notre Dame at seven years old.
The titles are considered the two highest honors in the country for baton twirling.
For Annie, the accomplishment comes after a year of early mornings, long practices and travel to competitions across the country.
From football game to national champion
Annie first picked up a baton when she was 4 after watching majorettes perform at a football game.
Her mother, Maria Galati, said the family later took photos for a local baton group and put Annie in the program.
“She liked it right off the get-go,” Maria said.
Annie began training with The Sophisticates in Perrysburg under coach Andrea Whiting. She quickly caught on and began competing, pushing herself to improve.
By ages 5 and 6, Annie and her family were traveling to competitions around the country. This past year, they visited 17 states, giving Annie the experience she needed to compete at the national level.
A demanding schedule
Annie’s training schedule is impressive for a 7-year-old.
During the school year, she practices as early as 7am, attends school and returns to the gym for afternoon and evening practices that can last until 7 or 8pm. Weekends are often spent traveling to competitions or practicing.
Maria said Annie has never needed to be forced to train.
“She willingly gets out of bed and wants to do it,” Maria said.
Her parents also make sure she has time to be a kid. Family trips, friends, school and time with her younger brother are all part of the balance.
A goal she was determined to reach
After last year’s nationals, Annie told her parents she wanted to return the following year wearing the sash and crown. As the competition season progressed, her parents saw how serious she was about reaching that goal. “She knew she wanted it,” Maria said. “We realized she isn’t messing around. She is in it to win it.”
At Notre Dame, Annie finished first in modeling, second in another category and first in twirling. When the final results were announced, she was named both Little Miss Majorette of America and Grand National Twirling Champion.
“Her jaw dropped,” Maria said.
Annie said she was surprised by the result.
For her parents, the championships were a testament to her determination.
“It’s a true testament that hard work pays off,” Maria said.
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Building friendships through twirling
Baton twirling has also helped Annie develop friendships across the country.
“I have learned how to make friends and making goals,” Annie said.
She also shares her experiences through her Instagram account, @twirlinganne. Annie uses the account to interview fellow twirlers, asking their names, where they are from and what their favorite tricks are before having them demonstrate.
The experience has helped Annie become more comfortable meeting and talking with people.
“You can go a thousand miles away and you still know people,” Maria said.
Giving back
Annie has also learned that baton twirling can be a way to give back.
After learning about the Islamic Food Bank, which operates out of the same gym where she trains, Annie became interested in helping provide gluten-free food for families because she follows a gluten-free diet herself.
That led to the creation of “Annie’s Gluten-Free Corner.” Annie and her family helped collect donations and purchase gluten-free food for the food bank. They also organized a fundraiser where children could learn baton twirling while donations were collected.
“We made food and went to the store and stuff for the food bank,” Annie said. “And I know that can help so many people.”
More than a crown
Maria and Annie’s father, Jake, said they hope their daughter remembers more than the trophies.
They want her to remember the determination, friendships, family support and community she found along the way.
“We hope that she remembers how determined she is personally and that she can go after anything,” Maria said.
For Annie, one of the most meaningful moments came after her solo performance at nationals. She completed the routine without a drop, putting everything she had practiced into her performance.
“She was mentally prepared and she put it all on the floor,” Maria said.
When Annie finished, she ran to her parents.
“She was proud,” Maria said.
At 7, Annie has already reached the highest levels of her sport. But for her family, the greatest accomplishment may be seeing her learn that hard work can help her reach big goals and that success is even more meaningful when she uses what she loves to help others.
