Judging by her summer daily routine, Mt. Whitney freshman Emily Dooms isn't your average high school student. "I would get up at 7 in the summer. I'd work from about 8 to 12. So that's four hours. Then I'd work from 1 to 3. And then 6:30 to 8:30," said Dooms.
This past July she competed at the World Baton Twirling International Cup in Jacksonville, Florida. "There were actually 14 countries there."
Dooms captured the gold medal in the two-baton events, beating the best twirlers from around the world.
"I don't think there's any other word to describe it other than joy. It ran through my limbs and I was just smiling," Dooms said, "It was such an amazing moment to be there with the people that I love. To do such an incredible thing."
She also won a silver medal in the team event, and a bronze medal in the solo baton -- giving her three medals and solidifying her status as one of the world's best.
"I got out there and the music started and I just went and gave it all I had. And then at the end I almost didn't care what I got because I had done the best that I could."
Dooms learned baton twirling as a first grader from her mother, who twirled from elementary school through high school in Porterville.
"I'm very, very proud. I'm overwhelmed that she's just truly pursuing what she said she wanted to do. I'm hoping she continues. Her goal is to twirl in college," said Emily Dooms' mother.
Although she's just a freshman in Visalia, Dooms is mature beyond her 14 years with advice for girls her age.
"If you find something that you love, go for it, because if you're good at it, even if you're not sure you're good at it, it's better to do something you love than something you hate. And doing something you love is just that much better."
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