When public relations major Olivia Lynch was four years old, she could not hold a pencil the correct way as a result of starting kindergarten early.Lynch’s teacher proposed she join the majorettes to do baton twirling, since holding a baton is similar to the way one holds a pencil.After about 17 years of twirling, she has yet to master the art of holding a writing utensil, but she gained a talent instead.”I still can’t hold my pencil right but it’s OK because I’m good at twirling,” Lynch, a junior at Point Park University, said Tuesday evening in the Lawrence Hall Commuter Lounge.Before Lynch started twirling she had been taking dance lessons at the age of two, which helped her with baton twirling coordination and steps. After trying out twirling for a year Lynch started twirling competitively, which she now loves thanks to her “competitive side.”Now, Lynch describes baton twirling as second nature to her. She even uses twirling as a form of therapy.”Whenever I have problems or something I just go twirl it out. It just helps me get through problems and think. Whenever I have finals and stuff, and I don’t want to do anything else, I’m like maybe I should just go twirl,” Lynch said.Even though Lynch sometimes gets frustrated with twirling, she believes she could not live without it. She also credits twirling with making her who she is today. Lynch, who once had confidence issues, said she is transformed into a different person when she is twirling.Lynch has met many people and traveled to numerous places due to competitions and performances.  She has twirled in the Macy’s Day Parade and was even invited to twirl at former Vice President Richard Cheney’s house for his last staff meeting. It was there that Lynch twirled fire batons and had the chance to meet the Navy Band, which she considered a great honor. This April, Lynch will be going to Switzerland to compete in her third World Championships, a competition for baton twirlers all over the world. Lynch first twirled for team USA in Worlds competition located in Holland back in high school as a freshman. During her senior year of high school, Lynch went to her second Worlds in Belgium. She has also traveled all around the United States.Although Lynch has come a long way since she first picked up a baton, she still reflects back on her earlier performances and competitions. “The first competition I remember was when I was six. My mom told me if I did  really well I could get any toy I wanted, and I really wanted the Barbie dream house with the working elevator,” Lynch said. “So I worked really hard and after we went to the toy store.”Even though Lynch always works hard and does her best, she does not always win every competition. She understands that people have good days and bad days and is pleased with doing her best and congratulating others.When traveling all over the world, Lynch has had some memorable encounters. She shares one rather funny competition experience.”You never know what’s going to happen at Worlds. My first Worlds for their open ceremony in Holland, they’re more open about sexuality and stuff,” Lynch said. “We were all like 13 or 14 and the first opening act was the lights were off then there were these girls on these tables with like tube tops and short shorts and they were just dancing to Britney Spears. They said this is a tribute to United States and everyone was like, what?'”Lynch said teams exchange gifts, and while she recalls giving out pens or T-shirts to represent team USA, she once was offered an England flag thong from a fellow girl in the competition. Lynch turned down the rather unusual gift, but some of her older teammates gladly took them. In addition to gifts, Lynch has also made a lot of international friends while traveling.Lynch is part of a baton twirling team in Maine, even though she lives in Pennsylvania. Her mother helps drive her back and forth for practice and competitions during the school year, and in the summer she lives with her coaches, which she said are like family. In the summer, Lynch trains for more than 40 hours a week to prepare for competitions and performances.Currently, Lynch performs at Point Park’s home basketball games. She has been well received by the fans and those in the Athletics Department.Daniel Swalga, director of the Athletics department, was stunned by Lynch’s talent when he meet her.  “Last year a young woman named Olivia called our office and said she wanted to twirl baton at our basketball half times. I, of course, was a little skeptical thinking that the fans wouldn’t want to see anything like that. Boy, was I wrong,” Swalga said Friday morning in a phone interview. “She auditioned for us and after two minutes, I had see enough and she has been performing at our basketball games ever since.”” Every time she performs, the fans in the stands give a loud and extended ovation,” Swalga said.Fellow Athletics Director and Director of Athletics Communications Kevin Taylor also shared his thoughts about Lynch.”Olivia is a great performer who adds a lot to the entertainment value of Point Park basketball home games. Fans love her, and that’s why we keep bringing her back,” Taylor said Friday morning in a phone interview.Those two are not the only ones who hold Lynch to a high esteem. Her roommate, Julia Marasco  a junior journalism and sport, arts and entertainment management major shared what it is like to watch Lynch.”Usually I go with her when she’s practicing twirling and I play the music for her so we joke around that I’m like her official music player,” Marasco said Friday afternoon in the Honors Program office.When people congratulate Lynch and tell her “good job,” Marasco feels like she “knows a celebrity.” She is amazed that she can twirl a baton on her neck.Although those who have watched Lynch perform agree that she is amazing and talented few people know about the girl behind the baton.