“In a lot of situations, it would be difficult to do something like this, so the decision was thoughtful and planned out,” said Frankl. “While I was abroad, I focused on meeting new people, studying so I could excel in my classes, and utilizing time management strategies learned over the years so I could also spend time each week training and preparing to interview for the drum major position.”

After earning the competitive title of Golden Girl for the Hawkeye Marching Band, sophomore Ella McDaniel has now been crowned Miss Majorette of America.

When the Hawkeye Marching Band takes the field for the first football game in Kinnick Stadium Sept. 3, it will be accompanied by the Teenage Miss Majorette of America. In July, the University of Iowa's "Golden Girl" Ella McDaniel won the title. For McDaniel, it was a decade-long dream finally being fulfilled.