April 18, 2005

Stallings retains Golden Girl crown for third straight year

Christy Jayne Stallings
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Christy Jayne Stallings, a senior from Johnston City, Ill., was selected to retain her title as Purdue's 24th Golden Girl following Purdue University's annual solo twirler auditions on Saturday (April 16).

Tierney Brown, a freshman from Bloomington, Ind., was named Girl in Black for the second year in a row. Identical twins Megan and Morgan VonDielingen (Von-DILL-ling-gen), sophomores from Seymour, Ind., 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, in the Elliott Hall of Music following a long day of competition that included field tryouts and personal interviews.

Tierney Brown
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The four women were part of a field of 10 competitors from as far as New Jersey and California.

Stallings, a communications major, 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.

Brown is majoring in marketing and human resources in the 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

Megan and Morgan VonDielingen
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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 tradition has continued.

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 football game in Ross-Ade Stadium. That day is also High School Band Day.

Source: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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