Name: April Lesley Sapp -- maiden name Raboin

I twirled with the Strutters from: 1979 -- 1987, part-time until 1991; I twirled with Diane at Woburn Rec in 1978 which started my love for twirling.

When I twirled I lived in: Woburn
 

I now live in: Juneau, Alaska (I have lived in Wyoming, Idaho and North Carolina)

After high school I: went to college at the University of New Hampshire for my Bachelor Degree in Nursing ('87-'91).  I then moved to Wyoming and worked first as a pediatric nurse and then I moved on to Flight Nursing and Emergency Room Nursing for the next 7 years.  Once moving to Juneau in 2000, there was no flight program so I decided to go into management (day time job -- no shift work?) and go back to school.  I attended the University of Alaska Anchorage for my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and my Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) ('01-'05).  I am now currently enrolled at Touro University Henderson Nevada for my Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).

Currently I: I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. I own my own family practice clinic in Juneau called Jordan Creed Family Health Care and I love what I do!

My most memorable twirling moment:  Was twirling at all of the wonderful locations, especially the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., the World's Fair in Knoxville, TN, and at Nationals at Notre Dame. Not to mention all of the wonderful friendships that were made.

What I liked best about twirling:  The friendships, meeting new people, traveling for competitions, learning to compete in new areas of baton twirling

What life lesson I learned from twirling:  Always do the best you can, push yourself to improve, practice, practice, practice (and if you don't, your teachers know!), have fun, self control, self discipline, stand tall, and be proud! There are mannerisms/behaviors I learned through baton that I still use today in my life. Not to mention when I stand for a photo my feet are always at the "angle place" postition!

My twirling teacher was:  Mostly Elaine, but I also had Diane for some time.

I still take out my batons once in a while (true/false):  Very true!! I still toss my baton around in my house, banging the ceiling! I frequently practice my fishtails!

I twirled for:  Some for the Strutters during some of my college. I mostly did parades. I did not twirl at my college - unfortunately - they were not very interested in that.

The team I was on was:  Cannot remember our name...I must be getting old! Maybe (Tracey) could enlighten me!  (note from Tracey -- I can't remember either! I should look it up.)

Other:  Baton twirling and the lessons learned helped to shape me into the individual that I am today. I am ever grateful that I took to love this sport and gained such wonderful insight from my two great teachers! Very fond memories.... Also, I am married, I have 3 children: 1 step son age 21, 1 step daughter age 19 and one son age 13 (as of 2008). We love to fly in our floatplane, go fishing, go hiking, and enjoy the sights - Juneau is beautiful! In our spare time we all play hockey, yes hockey!