UCLA’s Olivia Pacheco Joins Our Instagram Story for College Football Gameday!
We’re excited to announce that Olivia Pacheco, from UCLA, will be taking over our Instagram story for this week’s college football gameday. Olivia, a junior from Encinitas, CA, has been twirling for 14 years and is ready to share the excitement of a UCLA gameday with all of you!
**Meet Olivia Pacheco**
- **Full Name:** Olivia Pacheco
- **College/University:** UCLA
- **Year in School:** Junior
- **Hometown:** Encinitas, CA
- **Years of Twirling Experience:** 14 years
Olivia’s journey as a twirler has been deeply rooted in solo competition through the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA). She is also a proud member of both Mickey’s Majorettes and Tide Baton Twirling. Now in her second year twirling at the college level, she’s thrilled to represent UCLA on the field.
**What Olivia Loves About Gameday**
For Olivia, the best part of gameday is the incredible atmosphere created by the fans. As a second-generation UCLA student, Olivia grew up cheering for the Bruins and now finds herself contributing to the very gameday experience she once admired from the stands. "Seeing past, current, and future Bruins showing their UCLA Spirit makes gameday extra special," she says, highlighting the deep connection she feels to her school.
**A Dream Come True**
One of Olivia’s most memorable experiences was her first game day at the Rose Bowl. Having dreamed of twirling for UCLA since she was 8 years old, stepping onto the field was a surreal moment. As the band played the national anthem, she felt the overwhelming pride and emotion of achieving a lifelong dream, recognizing the dedication of her parents, coaches, and herself in making it all happen.
**The Spirit of UCLA**
What Olivia loves most about twirling for UCLA is the energy and pride that surrounds the school. The gameday goers she meets are often Bruins themselves, and their support for the band, spirit squads, twirlers, and athletes is indescribable. The sense of community and shared memories makes her role as a twirler all the more meaningful.
**Gameday Traditions and Preparation**
At UCLA, gameday traditions are an integral part of the experience. One of Olivia’s favorite traditions is the "Hype," where each section of the band performs a surprise routine to get everyone excited for the game. She also cherishes the ritual of taking a photo with the band director at each game.
Preparation for gameday is rigorous, with three practices a week during the fall, plus additional personal practice sessions at the rec center. Olivia makes sure her batons are clean and photo-ready, ensuring she’s fully prepared for the big day. After the final field practice, she enjoys the “bandwiches” provided by the band—a tradition that helps her and her teammates relax before marching into the iconic Rose Bowl.
**Advice for Aspiring College Twirlers**
Olivia has some valuable advice for incoming college twirlers: time management is key. Balancing her demanding pre-medical studies, twirling commitments, sorority life, and social activities requires careful planning. “I performed at 19 basketball games and gigs in 7 weeks while taking a heavy course load,” she recalls, emphasizing the importance of staying organized to achieve your goals.
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Don’t miss Olivia’s Instagram takeover this weekend! Follow along as she takes us inside a UCLA gameday, sharing her experiences, traditions, and the electric energy of the Rose Bowl. Whether you’re a fellow twirler or just a fan of the sport, you’ll love getting an insider’s view of what it’s like to be a UCLA baton twirler on gameday!
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