Pep flags
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pep flags, also known as short flags, small flags, flaggies, or twirl flags is the performing art of twirling one or two flag(s) as part of a choreographed routine. In recent years, some schools have implemented a third and even fourth flag in routines. This performing art is mainly prominent in Southern California high schools, in various school districts, but spans to other areas in Northern California, Colorado, Nevada and Florida as well as in other countries such as Japan. Though, pep flags has been around for many decades (and has evolved much since then), it has been gaining more and more popularity in high schools in recent years. It is not only limited to high schools however, as they do exist in elementary, middle school and college/university levels - though seldom.
Pep flags is often associated with cheerleading, as one of the main subdivisions (cheer, song, pep flags). Not to be confused with auxiliary or color guard, pep flags is a separate discipline. However, much like other auxiliary and spirit teams, Pep Flags takes much hand and eye coordination, athleticism and overall teamwork and good sportmanship. Many flag routines involve numerous combinations of twirls, flag tricks, and flag tosses.
Many schools that have a Pep Flag squad can generally be seen performing at school pep rallies, football games (pre-game and half-time), and cheering at other sporting events during the fall. In the 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, Sharp competitions as well as smaller school-sponsored competitions throughout the Los Angeles area. Generally, these competitions have two separate divisions for one flag and two flag routines, however may include solo, duet, and trio divisions as well.
[edit] Pep Flags in media
Pep flags, or the use of pep flags, can be seen in:
Music videos
- Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl (2005)
- Panic at the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies (2006)
Movies
- [Bring It On: All Or Nothing] (2006)
[edit] Competition History
| Year | USA National Champions
(Two Flag Division) |
USA National Champions
(One Flag Division) |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Channel Islands High School | Channel Islands High School |
| 2006 | Carson High School | Carson High School |
| 2005 | Carson High School | Carson High School |
| 2004 | Carson High School | (One flag division did not exist prior to 2005) |
| 2003 | Channel Islands High School | |
| 2002 | Channel Islands High School | |
| 2001 | Channel Islands High School | |
| 2000 | Carson High School | |
| 1999 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1998 | Channel Islands High School | |
| 1997 | Bishop Montgomery High School | |
| 1996 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1995 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1994 | Arapahoe High School | |
| 1993 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1992 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1991 | Channel Islands High School | |
| 1990 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1989 | Carson High School | |
| 1988 | Channel Islands High School | |
| 1987 | Narbonne High School | |
| 1986 | Channel Islands High School |
| Year | Miss Dance/Drill Team USA Champions
(Two Flag Division) |
Miss Dance/Drill Team USA Champions
(One Flag Division) |
Miss Dance/Drill Team International Champions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Channel Islands High School | Channel Islands High School | Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan) |
| 2005 | Channel Islands High School | (One and Two flag divisions have been combined up to 2006) | |
| 2004 | Channel Islands High School | ||
| 2003 | Channel Islands High School | Channel Islands High School | |
| 2002 | Channel Islands High School | ||
| 2001 | Channel Islands High School | Channel Islands High School | |
| 2000 | Channel Islands High School | ||
| 1999 | Channel Islands High School | ||
| 1998 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1997 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1996 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1995 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1994 | Narbonne High School | Narbonne High School | |
| 1993 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1992 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1991 | Narbonne High School | ||
| 1990 | Unofficial: Bishop Montgomery High School (One and Two flag divisions were combined this year) |
Bishop Montgomery High School | |
| 1989 | Channel Islands High School | Channel Islands High School | Narbonne High School |
| 1988 | Channel Islands High School | ||
| 1987 | Channel Islands High School | Channel Islands High School | |
| 1986 | Bishop Montgomery High School | Channel Islands High School | Bishop Montgomery High School |
| 1985 | Westchester High School | Channel Islands High School |
[edit] External links
- United Spirit Association (Host of Regional and National competitions)
- Sharp International (Host of State, National and World competitions)
- Miss Dance/Drill Team USA (Host of National and International competitions)
- PepFlags.com (A comprehensive website with various Pep Flags media)
