by Beth Dedman, B.A. ’20, Annual Member

Savannah Miller, B.A. ’19, won gold in Turin, Italy competing against 250 of the world’s best sports baton twirlers.

“I’m so incredibly honored to be the final WBTF Senior Women’s World Champion!” Miller announced in an Instagram post Aug. 8. “Bringing home gold for my country is a moment in time I’ll never forget. Dreams really can come true if you have the courage and trust to pursue them. There are so many people to thank for supporting me on this journey… but for right now all I can say is thank you to friends, family, the twirling world and so many others for the countless messages, phone calls and support throughout this week. I love you all. I am forever grateful.”

Miller began twirling at the age of three and is a world champion baton twirler, internationally-recognized choreographer, coach and former University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band Feature Twirler.

Miller has won more than 20 national and international titles, including 17-World Championship gold medals for Team USA over her 23-year career. She has numerous national titles for both the NBTA and USTA organizations including winning the 2021 USTA National Championships in the Women’s Solo and Artistic Twirl events. During her Grand Finals solo performance last year, she scored perfect 10s earning her the prestigious Diamond Cup trophy.

Upon winning gold in the world championship, Miller plans to retire from the competitive side of baton twirling and turn to judging and coaching in the sport. She has taught dance and baton in the U.S., Canada, the Czech Republic, France and Norway.

Miller graduated from the University of Arkansas in December 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. During her time at Arkansas, she served as the Razorback Marching Band Feature Twirler, UATV News Director, Executive Board member of her sorority Alpha Delta Pi, a student ambassador, and was named to the national Alpha Delta Pi’s Top 30 members under the age of 30 in 2017.

Miller has taught in more than 11 countries worldwide and hopes to continue to share her love of twirling with the world in the years to come.  She currently lives in Monroe, Ohio, and plans to pursue a career in journalism following her retirement.