By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena High School senior and current co-captain for the HHS majorette squad Sydney Edmundson was recently selected to join the Auburn University Marching Band Tiger Eyes Majorette Line beginning in the fall after a competitive tryout the weekend of April 1.

Edmundson was just one of two new members selected to join the 14 member squad in 2016. Edmundson and the other 13 members will be recognized at the A-Day game on April 9.

As far as the tryouts go, the process was a tedious two days of showcasing talent and routines and Edmundson performed well enough to be offered a spot on the line.

The tryouts included doing basic tricks and baton usage while learning the pregame trot out of the tunnel onto the field. Each candidate also had to perform a 90-second routine for the judges.

Edmundson had never taken dance but has been twirling since she was in first grade. Ever since then, it has been her goal to make it as an Auburn Majorette after seeing many Auburn football games growing up.

When the new members were announced the night of April 2, Sydney’s mother, Missy Edmundson admitted she got emotional.

“I’m not going to lie I started crying,” said Missy. “It’s pretty exciting. It’s a hard process and knowing they only take 14 and that all the hard work paid off for her was amazing. I’ve been a lifelong Auburn fan so seeing her come out of the tunnel for the first game will be exciting.”

Sydney performed on a competition team for three years prior to high school and was a member of the Pelham High School majorette line before finishing at Helena High School once the school was built.

Sydney will enroll at Auburn University in the fall where she plans to major in hotel and restaurant management.

Members of the AUMB Majorettes are described as “possessing twirling skill that has been perfected over years of hard work and dedication and strive for a higher standard of performance and skill level to offer the marching band and Auburn Tiger fans,” according to the AUMB website.

Auburn will kickoff the 2016 football season against the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 3.