What’s it all about?

A program that is universal, world wide in it’s rudiments so that teams of youth from all across the county can come together in unity for special events and outreaches. They will progress through the 4 levels of flag syllabus, earning medals, and awards of their accomplishments, and then be skilled in excellence with their rudiments, scriptural meanings of all their flag patterns, and be able to quickly choreograph and flag to songs joining together with many other groups!

This is a program that will carry children through into their teens becoming drill leaders, co-captains, captains and instructors and Alumni members. SOE Alumni Members would would in the community and come back as guest speakers and peer mentors to share with the younger children their experiences.

SOE’s flag classes are for everyone, usually ages 7 and up. Some younger, special needs and older youth or adults may wish to enroll as well.

SOE team program is for fitness, fun and discovering personal expression & spiritual growth.

Flag twirling classes instill confidence, developing positive friendships, and build self esteem. SOE Students participate throughout the year in presentations at community events and SOE Concerts. Coordination, team spirit, dance and performance skills emerge as flag students are taught to twirl flags and strengthen their muscles.

Everyone earns Flag Award Medals from the Introductory levels, through to Beginner & Advanced levels 1 & 2. All flag twirls have positive faith based instruction in interpretive movements and names with meanings from scripture; such as Cherubim, Victory, Wing, Rod, and Seraphim.

The history of flags, it’s purposes & colours are studied also. Students learn to create and draw their own choreography, and they develop excellence in attitude and flag twirling. Teams may come together for field trips & outreaches in unity.

All students begin in Intro Flags unless predetermined through a

personal interview that they have skill and may be placed in an advanced level. Introduction to Flag Twirling is usually 6—12 weeks.

After the Intro Flag Level the student will know if they enjoy the art of Flag Twirling and may go on to the Beginner Flag Level.

There is no testing to be promoted into the Beginner Flag Level.

Beginner Flag Level is a minimum of 12 weekly classes - usually needing 3 - 4 semesters (one year) of practice and development of these beginner rudiments and important skills. At home practice time will be helpful in completing the beginner level more quickly.

Once the student and their instructor feel they are ready to complete their syllabus of information, then they can prepare for the Beginner Assessment.

It is not necessary for all students to do the Assessment if they do not wish to, or due to their age and skill level need to stay in the Beginner Level. The student may continue to perform and be involved in the Flag Company with their present level of Beginner Flags.

The purpose is to develop ‘their potential’ and their own level of skill and lifestyle of worship through the flag ministry. They still may participate in parts of the special events and performances with flag routines according to their personal level.

Upon completion (with 80% attendance) of the 12 week Beginner Flag Level the student will be awarded their ‘Flag Twirler’ Gold Pin.

The student will complete the preparation work from the Flag Manual and the Assessment pack, before scheduling a date for their Flag Assessment.

Once their manuals & assessment is complete they will be given an assessment schedule.

Upon successful completion of the Assessment appt., they will be awarded a Certificate of Promotion into Intermediate Flag Level

The student will be awarded their 1st Gold Bar Beginner Level Award Pin to be worn at all performances and special events on their uniform. New Flags will be available for purchase.

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2

Below is the list of requirements the student will complete for promotion to the next level:

Parents may review the student’s Flag Manual for complete details and to review their progress.

The parent will schedule an appointment for the student’s assessment upon announcement of Assessment Schedule.

A donation of $25 is required upon booking the Assessment Appointment, per student, in support of the vision and award’s costs.

This is non-refundable.

The student will arrive 30 minutes in advance to be sure of their preparation for the assessment.

The student will need to have on their full uniform, hair neatly groomed, and/or back in pony tail (if long) and be clean & neat in their appearance.

The student is required to have their manual, assessment pack, flags and chosen music with them for the assessors to review their required work.

The student should be quiet in waiting their turn while others are being assessed.

In the Beginner Assessment the student must be able to execute:

~ all 19 beginner flag rudiments by name & proper movement

~ all 10 positions known by name with all interpretive scriptures named for each flag movement

~ their own choreographed '8 count flag movement' to their own music selection. They will have created it, named it, described the meaning and how they chose the movements, and drawn it out in their manual.

The student must be able to perform the Set Syllabus Music with the set flag patterns to it.

The student will have completed reading and colouring their Flag manual

The student will have completed all the Creative Lessons in their manual

The student will have written their personal testimony and God’s vision for their life with photograph attached as required

The student must do their personal best, have a good attitude, and show teamwork at classes and events

The student must show that they enjoy themselves and in

doing the flags

The student should be developing an attitude of worship

The student must receive a grade of good or excellent during this assessment to be promoted to Intermediate Flag Level

The student will be awarded a Certificate of Promotion into Intermediate Flag Level

The student will be awarded a Gold plated Beginner Level Award Bar Pin to be worn at all performances and special events on their uniform.

New special Flags will be available upon completion of

Beginner Flag Assessment.

Intermediate Flag Level—Dove Wings

Advanced Flag Level 1—Flames of Excellence

Advanced Flag Level 2—Star Twirler

Certificates are given for every 12 weeks of classes.

Gilded Certificates of Excellence are awarded for each Flag Level Assessment

Awards may not be back-dated or received from previously taken classes before 2005-2006 SOE school year.

Students must be current to receive these awards

Flag Twirler Pin: - received upon completion of Beginner Level 12 weeks of classes (minimum 80% attendance required)

Ballet Slipper Pin: - received for exemplifying the love, joy and call to worship God with their talents.

Drill Pin: - earned at any level upon memorization & demonstration of the practice warm up drill

Co-Captain Pin: - earned after Beginner Level Assessment, upon exemplifying leadership ability, completing required hours of classroom assistance with flag classes and assistant to Captain Director Mrs. Kosti.

Beginner Flag Twirler Assessment Bar Pin:

- received upon completion of Beginner Flag Assessment

Intermediate Flag Twirler Assessment Bar Pin:

- received upon completion of Intermediate Flag Assessment

Advanced Flag Twirler Assessment Bar Pin:

- received upon completion of Advanced 1 Flag Assessment

Advanced 2 Flag Twirler Assessment Bar Pin:

- received upon completion of Advanced 2 Flag Assessment

Captain Pin: - received upon completion of Advanced 2 and all 4 Flag Levels Assessments. Required to have received the Co-Captain Pin at least 6 months before.

SOE 2nd Gold Star Pin SOELIT Leaders in Training 2nd year program

SOE 3rd Gold Star Pin SOELIT Leaders in Training 3rd year program

Spirit of Excellence Medal of Excellence for all Alumni

Alumni students will be honoured as special invited guests to banquets and concert events hosted by Spirit of Excellence.

Alumni may be special guest speakers for SOE Classes, Workshops, other events.

Alumni will assist in presenting Student Awards.

SOE CENTRE - Services & training:

Spirit of Excellence provides all our programs and supplies freely to low income children, and those at-risk who need these ‘life skills’ and spiritual guidance. These are the costs—sponsorships are needed to expand the number of children & youth who desire to learn. Please consider sponsoring children into the programs below.

Weekly Class Tuition: Classes run 45 min. to 1.5 hour in length, one class weekly

Introduction to Flag Twirling: 4 weeks $35

Beginner Flag: 12 weeks $80 • Intermediate Flag: 12 weeks $85

Advanced 1 Flag: 12 weeks $90 • Advanced 2 Flag: 12 weeks $95

Drop in class: $15

Workshop #1: $75 plus materials Full day 9:00 am-5:00 pm with 45 minute lunch break and two refreshment breaks. Includes Worship foundation teaching, prayer, fitness warm-up, flag twirling, and/or dance rudiments. One song choreography learned, minimum.

Workshop #2 Intensive Training: $175 plus materials 1.5 days and room and board. Beginning Friday at 4:00 pm—9:00 pm Outreach ministry at neighbourhood free meal. Saturday am breakfast and devotion 7:00 am Training begins: 9:00 am-4:00 pm with 45 minute lunch break and two refreshment breaks. Includes Worship foundation teaching, prayer, fitness warm-up, flag twirling, and/or dance rudiments. One song choreography learned, minimum.

Workshop #3-Intensive Mission Experience: $275 plus materials and room and board. 2.5 days Beginning Friday at 4:00 pm—9:00 pm ending with Sunday lunch. Outreach ministry at NSC community neighbourhood free meal, and Saturday pm and Sunday morning worship involvement, plus all above training.