New Twirlers Selected for 2017-2018 Purdue “All-American” Marching Band

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Olivia Zugai of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, is the newest twirler to win the highly coveted position of Purdue Golden Girl. On Saturday, February 25, Zugai received the top score at auditions held at Holloway Gymnasium on Purdue’s campus to earn the title.   She will become Golden Girl No. 29 continuing a tradition started by Director of Bands Emeritus, Dr. Al G. Wright in 1954. This past season, Zugai was one of the Silver Twins alongside Kaitlyn Schleis. She also held a position on the All American Twirling Team her freshman and sophomore years at Purdue.

Zugai won’t be the only twirler making her debut in a new position at the Purdue vs. Louisville football game on September 2. There will be a new face in the Girl-in-Black position as well.

Kaitlyn Schleis, a rising sophomore in speech, language and hearing sciences from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was selected to twirl as Girl-in-Black for the 2017-2018 season.

Next fall, the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band will also welcome two incoming freshmen to complete the solo twirler roster. The Silver Twins for 2017-2018 are Alicia Dennie of Culver, Indiana and Brooke Wyatt of LaFontaine, Indiana.

In addition, seven students were offered spots on the All-American Twirling Team. They include rising seniors Erin Groll and Kara Tighe, sophomores Mackenzie Joefreda and Emma Schafer, and incoming freshmen Meryl Campbell, Sarah Cohen, and Marin Parker.

Purdue University is unique because twirlers, as well as all band members, are required to audition for positions annually. All candidates must be admitted to Purdue University in order to qualify for auditions.