Cecilia Daizovi, a Purdue freshman from Ossian, IN, who currently performs as a Golduster dancer, twirled her way to the Girl in Black position with the “All-American” Marching Band in auditions held Saturday, Feb. 25. She will begin her performing career with the 2012 football season.

She is Purdue Bands’ first legacy twirler. Her mother, Kim Ratcliffe, was Girl in Black in 1986-89 and Golden Girl in 1989-90. Her aunt, Kelly Ratcliffe, was Girl in Black in 1989-90.

Daizovi has been twirling since the age of five. She is the current USA National Baton Twirling Champion in two events and current Team USA Junior Women’s Gold Medalist.

There was no competition for MerrieBeth Cox’s position as Golden Girl and Cox will continue her reign as one of the most popular Golden Girls of all time. A native of Roselle, IL, she will be a fifth year senior in the fall and the first Golden Girl to be featured in the position for five years.

No sets of identical twins competed for the Silver Twins position so it will remain vacant for the 2012-13 season. Six competitors were offered the chance to join Purdue’s newly revamped twirling line, according to Marching Band Director Jay Gephart. The women, who came from as far as Florida, Arizona and Maryland to audition, have until May 1 to accept the department’s invitation.

Purdue’s current Girl in Black, Meg Merdian, will graduate in May. Silver Twins, Sara and Chellie Zou, graduated in December 2011 and are pursuing job opportunities in Washington, D.C.