World Baton Twirling Federation honors USTA's Dale White and Jackie Stewart
The World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF) recognized USTA leaders Jackie Stewart and Dale White for their longtime contributions to the WBTF during the closing ceremonies of the World Championship, which wrapped up Aug. 7 in Turin, Italy.
"Dale has been a constant contributor to the growth and development of the WBTF since its beginning, as a coach, a judge, and as an educator," said WBTF President Sandi Wiemers.
She noted that White coached Pam Harris, the first WBTF Senior Women's World Champion, who was crowned at the first WBTF World Championship in 1980, as well as Savannah Miller, the last Senior Women's World Champion, who won the gold medal on Aug. 7. White also coached many other world champions and world finalists between 1980 and 2022.
This year marked the last WBTF World Championship, as the next World Championship will be hosted by the International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF), an organization of both WBTF and WNBTA organizations. It will be held in August 2023 in Liverpool, England.
Stewart is the current WBTF Judges Chair, a position she has held since 1992, a tenure of three decades.
"As the Judges Chair, she has been instrumental in the development of our judges education program, and testing methods for WBTF certification and licensing procedures," Wiemers said.
She also noted that Stewart has also coached many world medalists and finalists.
Both Stewart and White are also longtime members of USTA. Stewart is the current director of the USTA Coaches Department and has previously served as education director and member of the Board of Directors. White is the director of Professional Development for USTA and has previously served in many other roles benefiting coaches, judges and athletes.
Congratulations and thanks to both of these icons for their contributions to USTA, WBTF and the sport of baton twirling!