While many students found themselves lounging about on hot summer afternoons marathon-ing their favorite TV shows, junior Rachel Tse attended the Junior Olympics Baton Twirling Competition from July 27-31 in Des Moines, Iowa and received the prestigious Rising Star Award.

“I was so surprised,” Tse said. “I didn’t think I was doing anything worthy of it, but I guess I got [the award] because I’m so hard on myself and my scores on individual events helped push me over.”

The award, given to a twirler who shows exceptional athleticism and outstanding sportsmanship, was presented to Tse after she placed in six individual events and took home first in Parade Strut, X-Strut and One Baton.

“My favorite event was probably strut because it has more dancing involved with the routine and it’s just more fun,” Tse said.

The competition was smaller than it has been in past years, hosting only a few hundred competitors in more than three dozen team and individual events for anyone who placed at their regional qualifying tournaments. Tse, taking home sixth at the regional qualifier at Timber Creek in May, traveled to Iowa in hopes of improving her technique and making memories.

As baton season approaches, Tse looks forward to preseason practices and living up to her successes over the summer at pep rallies and Friday night football games.

“I hope to improve and keep up with the standards of my title and the award I was given,” Tse said. “I’m really excited for the upcoming year.”