page_title: Purdue All-American Marching Band
section_title: Featured Twirlers
hierarchical_section_title: Purdue All-American Marching Band / Featured Twirlers
caption_attribution_description: English: The Purdue University "All American" Marching Band performs at the 2015 500 Festival Parade in Indianapolis, Indiana
context_page_description: The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the marching band of Purdue University and the main source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue Boilermakers football games. The AAMB is also the host band of the Indianapolis 500 race, having held the position since 1919. The band has grown from an original 5 members to 389 members. The three most distinctive features of the AAMB are the World's Largest Drum, the Purdue Golden Girl featured twirler, and the "Block P," the first marching band field formation created in 1907.
context_section_description: The Purdue band is also famous for its four Featured Twirler positions: the Golden Girl, the Girl in Black, and the Silver Twins.
  Purdue's Golden Girl ranks among the nation's best twirlers and is at the top of her art form. This talented performer is selected by audition each April, and serves as a leader of the AAMB as well as an ambassador for Purdue University. Recognized nationally for her unique talents, this coveted position has roots going back to the early history of Purdue Bands. The tradition of the Golden Girl was begun in 1954 during the era of quarterback Len Dawson, whose poise on the field prompted the press to nickname him Purdue's "Golden Boy." At the same time, Dr. Al G. Wright (now Director of Bands Emeritus) brought his first twirling protégé to the field, Juanita Carpenter, who earned the title of "Golden Girl." When Dawson graduated Purdue was left without a Golden Boy, but Carpenter's graduation didn't have the same effect on her title. Instead Golden Girl evolved into a movable crown that's been passed down through generations, and the position has become the standard for excellence within the twirling community. Golden Girl #30 is Kaitlyn Schleis from Oshkosh, WI. .
  In 1962, another solo twirler position was created to complement the Golden Girl. June Ciampa was the first to fill this position. Dressed in Purdue's other color, black, she first performed as the International Twirler. This title was later replaced with "Girl in Black." The current Girl in Black is Amanda Coy from Saline, MI.
  Alexis Piskulic and Brooke Wyatt from Arnold, MO and LaFontaine, IN, respectively take on a special role as novelty "Silver Twins" twirlers for the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band. The position of Silver Twins was created by Al G. Wright in 1960 for identical twins, and has since been filled by both twins and look-a-likes.
  In 2018, the position of Miss Boilerette was added based on the excited growth of the twirling program. The title of Miss Boilerette is currently held by Alicia Dennie from Culver, IN.
caption: Purdue's All-American Marching Band in the 2015 500 Festival Parade in Indianapolis, Indiana
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