Look at her go! Below, Karrissa Wimberley performing at FSU’s halftime with the Marching Chiefs. FSU’s baton twirler does an amazing job with fire batons. I was impressed with her twirling routine when she had just one lit baton, then she added another and another! Even the opposing team was cheering for this highly talented majorette!
We at Star Line Baton Company, Inc. would like to honor the memory of Purdue University’s very first Golden Girl solo baton twirler, Juanita Carpenter Richardson. Mrs. Richardson passed away Dec. 25th in San Diego California.
The year was 1954 at a game between Purdue and Notre Dame when the tradition of Purdue’s Golden Girl was born. Juanita was the band’s secret weapon. During a game with their all time rivals Notre Dame, the director emeritus of Purdue Bands, Al Wright, put the very skilled majorette into a gold sequenced skirt and top and placed her out in front of the band as they marched onto the field. Notre Dame, along with many other universities at the time didn’t have women in their band and the crowd went wild! Juanita’s energy and grace helped lead the team to a win that day.
Mrs. Richardson and her golden outfit launched the sport of baton twirling into the spotlight like never before and for that, we offer a very humble and heartfelt thank you to this trail blazing, baton twirling icon.