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August 28, 1998

Purdue Marching Band selects solo twirlers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ann M. Loppnow, a junior majoring in industrial hygiene from Hartland, Wis., held on to her title for the third year in a row, becoming the 22nd Purdue University Golden Girl after auditions Friday (8/21).

Ann M. Loppnow
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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, Nicole M. Ferree, and new Silver Twins, Wendy King and Erin Buescher.

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.

Nicole M. Ferree
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Loppnow has been twirling for 17 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 from York, Pa., and is a sophomore majoring in elementary education. She is a five-time national twirling champion in the Drum Majorettes of America. She currently holds the title Majorette Queen of America for 1999.

Wendy King and
Erin Buescher
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King and Buescher are both juniors majoring in speech pathology and audiology. King, from Sidney, Ohio, has held the title Miss Twirler of Ohio, and has been USTA national, state and regional champion. Buescher, from Jackson, Ohio, 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: Amy Cox, director of public relations, Purdue University Bands, (765) 496-2697; e-mail pubands@omni.cc.purdue.edu

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


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