Purdue News
Purdue News
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August 27, 1999
Purdue Marching Band selects solo twirlersWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ann M. Loppnow, a Purdue University senior majoring in industrial hygiene from Hartland, Wis., held on to her Golden Girl title for the fourth year in a row after auditions Friday (8/20).The Golden Girl is one of the most prestigious solo twirler positions in the United States and has been part of the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band since 1954. Loppnow is the 20th woman to fill the role. Also retaining their titles -- for the second year in a row -- were the Girl in Black, Nicole M. Ferree from York, Pa., and the Silver Twins, Wendy King of Sidney, Ohio, and Erin Buescher of Jackson, Ohio. The four solo twirlers not only perform with the band, but also represent the university as ambassadors at meetings and other events, performing and giving speeches. Loppnow has been twirling for 18 years and has won more than 1,000 trophies in local, state and national competitions. Her long-term goals include being a world-renowned baton instructor and judge. Ferree is a sophomore majoring in elementary education. She is a five-time national twirling champion in the Drum Majorettes of America. She holds the title Majorette Queen of America for 1999. King and Buescher are both juniors majoring in speech pathology and audiology. King has held the title Miss Twirler of Ohio, and has been USTA national, state and regional champion. Buescher has been a featured twirler and captured the Miss Majorette of Ohio title in 1993. The Golden Girl position was created in 1954 as the band's counterpart to Boilermaker football quarterback Lenny Dawson, who was dubbed Purdue's Golden Boy by the press. The band added the Silver Twins in 1960, and the Girl in Black position was created in 1962. CONTACT: Martin Owens, Purdue University Bands, (765) 494-9466
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Head and shoulders, color photos of the solo twirlers are available at our ftp site.
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