Taylor Meckley
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"We know that the Jaguar Marching Band is one of the most visible representatives of the University of South Alabama," USA Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Ward Miller said. "The drum major and feature twirler are the public faces of our program, so we are very careful and meticulous in our search to fill those positions."

Meckley was chosen as a finalist from video submissions taken from across the nation. She was selected as one of multiple finalists who were invited to campus for a weekend of interviews and live performance auditions. After weighing the auditions, the selection committee extended an invitation to Mechley to join the
Jaguar Marching Band.

"This is really a dream come true for me," Meckley said. "I'm thrilled to be the new feature twirler for the Jaguar Marching Band."

Taylor has an impressive record as a twirler. She holds numerous state and regional twirling titles, and she is a two-time world champion competing with the United States Twirl Team in Belgium in 2009 and Switzerland in 2012. In addition, her academic record is exemplary. One of the top students at her high school, she enters USA as a Presidential Scholar and will major in Information Systems.

"Our first ever feature twirler, Melissa DiCesare, set the standard for the position in all future seasons," Miller said. "We're confident that Taylor can carry on that established tradition of excellence as a performer, leader, and ambassador for this great band and university."

Meckley will debut as the Jaguar Marching Band's feature twirler during the band's traditional pre-game show at the Jag's season opener versus Southern Utah on Thursday, August 29, 2013.