Christy Jayne Stallings retains Golden Girl crown for third straight year

Christy Jayne Stallings, a senior from Johnston City, Ill., was selected to retain her title as Purdue’s 24 th Golden Girl following Purdue’s annual solo twirler auditions on Saturday. Tierney Brown, a freshman from Bloomington was named Girl in Black for the second year in a row.

Identical twins Megan and Morgan VonDielingen(Von-DILL-ling-gen), Purdue sophomores from Seymour were selected to once again perform as the Silver Twins.

The announcement of the 2005-06 solo twirlers was made by David Leppla, Director of Purdue University Bands, at 7 p.m. April 16 in Elliott Hall of Music following a long day of competition that included field tryouts and personal interviews.

All four women chosen exhibited the poise, charisma and twirling tricks the judges were looking for. They were part of a field of 10 competitors from as far as New Jersey and California.

Stallings, a communications major at Purdue, brings an impressive resume to Purdue’s top twirling position. She’s been a National Baton Twirling Association competitive twirler for 20 years, a world champion in two baton, and a national champion in two baton, three baton and flag baton.

Tierney Brown majors in marketing and human resources in Purdue’s Krannert School of Management. Both Morgan and Megan VonDielingen are liberal arts majors.

All of Purdue’s solo twirling positions enjoy a long heritage on the West Lafayette campus. The Golden Girl dates to 1954, the Girl in Black position dates to 1962, and the Silver Twins to 1960.

Over the years Purdue’s Golden Girl has enjoyed a national reputation as one of the top twirlers in the United States. Former director Al Wright began the tradition in 1954 when quarterback Lenny Dawson was referred to by the press as Purdue’s “Golden Boy.” Wright put gold sequins on Juanita Carpenter and named her the “Golden Girl.” After Dawson graduated his nickname faded, but the Golden Girl has continued as a strong Purdue tradition.

Golden Girl No. 24 Christy Stallings, and the other 2005-06 solo twirlers, will make their first appearance with the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band at the Sept. 10 Akron game in Ross-Ade Stadium. That day is also High School Band Day.