Purdue News
Purdue NewsNOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Black-and-white photographs of the solo twirlers are available from Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2096.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ann M. Loppnow, a freshman majoring in occupational therapy from Hartland, Wis., became the 20th Purdue University Golden Girl after auditions Friday (8/16).
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.
Also chosen Friday were a new Girl in Black, Karen M. Asadourian, and Silver Twins, Erin Griffin and Alisha Stenger.
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 13 years and has won more than 1,000 trophies in local, state and national competitions. She recently served as the captain of "Julie's Touch of Silver," a national twirling corps.
Asadourian is from Westlake, Ohio, and is a junior in electrical engineering. This is her third year in the "All-American" Marching Band -- last year she was captain of the band's twirling line.
Griffin and Stenger were last year's Silver Twins. Griffin, from Valparaiso , is a junior majoring in math education. Stenger, from Plainfield , is a junior majoring in special education.
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: Jennifer Tucker, director of public relations, Purdue University Bands, (317) 496-2697; e-mail, tuckerj@omni.cc.purdue.edu
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