Pep flags, also known as flaggies, short flags, small flags, or twirl flags, is the performing art of twirling one or two flag(s) as part of a choreographed routine. In the early 21st century, some school flag squads have implemented a third or even fourth flag in routines. This performing art is mainly prominent in Southern California high schools. It is mainly in high schools but a few are in elementary, middle school, and college/university levels.

Although pep flags has been around for many decades (and has evolved much since then), it has been gaining in popularity around the world. This particular style of pep flags has spanned out to other areas in Northern California and Nevada and has been known to have similar styles in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Twirling has also reached other countries such as Australia, Canada, Hungary, Japan, South America, St. Kitts, and the United Kingdom.

Depending on the place, pep flags may be classified with baton (flag baton), majorettes or precision/prop. Usually, pep flags is often associated with cheerleading, as it is one of the main aspects of school spirit: cheerleading, songleading/pom pom, mascots, and pep flags. Not to be confused with auxiliary or colorguard, pep flags is a separate discipline. However, much like other auxiliary and spirit teams, pep flags takes much hand and eye coordination, athleticism, showmanship, and overall teamwork and good sportsmanship. Many flag routines involve choreography to music, dance/cheer elements (such as kicklines, pyramid mounts, etc.), numerous combinations of twirls, flag tricks, and flag tosses (also known as exchanges).

Many schools that have a pep flag squad can generally be seen performing at school pep rallies, football games (pre-game, half-time, or even along the sideline with the cheerleaders), and cheering at other sporting events during the fall. Some may be seen marching with their school's marching band during parade season. In the Northern Hemisphere spring, teams compete in several indoor competitions against other schools. Some of the main competitions that occur are United Spirit Association (USA) Regionals and Nationals, Miss Dance Drill Team USA, and Sharp competitions, as well as smaller school-sponsored competitions throughout the Southern California area. Generally, these competitions have two separate divisions for one-flag and two-flag routines. In addition, they may also include solo, duet, and trio divisions as well.

Schools

Pep Flags in media

Pep flags, or the use of pep flags, is featured in various media. Such depictions include:

Musicals

Music videos

Television

Movies

Competition history

United Spirit Association (USA) National Champions
Year Two-Flag Division One-Flag Division Two-Flag - Novice Division
1986 Channel Islands High School
1987 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
1988 Channel Islands High School Carson High School
1989 Carson High School
1990 Narbonne High School
1991 Channel Islands High School
1992 Narbonne High School
1993 Narbonne High School
1994 Arapahoe High School
1995 Narbonne High School
1996 Narbonne High School
1997 Bishop Montgomery High School
1998 Channel Islands High School
1999 Narbonne High School
2000 Carson High School
2001 Channel Islands High School
2002 Channel Islands High School
2003 Channel Islands High School
2004 Carson High School
2005 Carson High School Carson High School
(One-Flag Division was reinstated in 2005)
2006 Carson High School Carson High School
2007 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2008 Long Beach Polytechnic High School Long Beach Polytechnic High School
2009 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2010 Channel Islands High School Morse High School
2011 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2012 Carson High School Channel Islands High School
2013 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2014 Morse High School Morse High School
2015 Morse High school Morse High school Glendora High School
2016 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Glendora High School
2017 Channel Islands High School
Carson High School
(co-champions)
Carson High School Crescenta Valley High School
2018 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Crescenta Valley High School
2019 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Crescenta Valley High School
Miss Dance Drill Team USA (MDDTUSA) US and International Champions
Year US National Champion — Two-Flag Division (See Kay Teer Crawford) US National Champion — One-Flag Division World Champion
1983 Pioneer High School
1984
1985 Westchester High School Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
1986 Bishop Montgomery High School Channel Islands High School Bishop Montgomery High School
1987 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
1988 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
1989 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Narbonne High School
1990 Channel Islands High School
(One- and Two-Flag divisions were combined 1990-2006)
Bishop Montgomery High School
1991 Narbonne High School
1992 Narbonne High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
1993 Narbonne High School
1994 Narbonne High School
1995 Narbonne High School Narbonne High School
1996 Narbonne High School
1997 Narbonne High School
1998 Narbonne High School
1999 Channel Islands High School
2000 Channel Islands High School
2001 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2002 Channel Islands High School
2003 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2004 Channel Islands High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2005 Channel Islands High School
2006 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2007 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2008 Narbonne High School Channel Islands High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2009 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2010 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2011 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2012 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2013 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School
2014 Bishop Montgomery High School Bishop Montgomery High School
2015 Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan) Channel Islands High School
2016 Channel Islands High School Channel Islands High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2017 Bishop Montgomery High School Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2018 Carson High School Channel Islands High School
2019 Carson High School Carson High School

See also

References

  1. ^ "Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2014" (PDF). Miss Dance Drill Team USA. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2017" (PDF). Miss Dance Drill Team USA. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2012" (PDF). Miss Dance Drill Team USA. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  4. ^ "Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2013" (PDF). Miss Dance Drill Team USA. Retrieved April 18, 2019.