BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
A Freehold Township High School sophomore wants to light a fire in her baton twirling routine. Hillary Levin, 15, has asked the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education for permission to use fire batons at outdoor events. She spoke to the board at its Sept. 13 meeting.
“I’ve been baton twirling for eight years,” Hillary said. “My teacher is Joan LeMiner, a national and international baton twirling champion who has taught numerous students baton twirling and fire baton twirling” in Pennsylvania.
Hillary said she is always in complete control of the fire baton. She said she always takes safety precautions when she uses the fire baton, noting that she ties her hair back, wears tight-fitting clothes and makes certain there is no chance that her clothes could catch fire.
“I would never, ever think of doing anything but simple tricks with the fire baton,” she said. “I’m not an adventurous person. I’m not a risk-taker and I would never do anything that would put myself at risk.”
She presented the board with diagrams and pictures of the school band and its location in relation to where she would be twirling.
“I’m very far away from everyone and the flags [twirlers] are in the background, so there is no chance that the fire could catch onto the flags,” Hillary said.
She said the fire batons enhance the halftime performances at football games and get the audience involved.
“This really means a lot to the band and me,” Hillary told the board.
Superintendent of Schools James Wasser said there are some concerns associated with the use of the fire batons. He said the board had concerns regarding Hillary’s safety and that of other students. He said that although several staff members at Freehold Township have recommended the use of the fire batons, there are concerns regarding insurance.
Hillary said she could have water, a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket available in case of any problems.
Nathanya Simon, the board’s attorney, said she had concerns relating to insurance and whether such an activity would be covered if there was a problem.
Board members held off on a decision until Simon and Business Administrator Joanne Nesenkar Saylor can look into the request.