Golden Girls Alumnae Chapter Members Create Sisterhood Bond with Dance Team
Dozens of amazing dancing athletes auditioned this spring for a cherished chance to become one of the LSU Golden Girls, part of the Tiger Band.
The selected few will find their lives forever changed. Of course, there will be long, grueling hours of practice – that drive for excellence – as LSU Golden Girl Alumnae Chapter member Kim Boasso described it. But the rewards are tremendous. Just ask any Golden Girl.
The Lifelong Bond of an LSU Golden Girl
“We are lifelong friends – a sorority in dancing shoes,” proclaimed Leslie Dease Day, one of 88 members of the LSU Alumni Association’s alumnae chapter. Since its inception decades ago by Jaye Brice, the alumnae chapter has evolved to provide more support for the collegiates, particularly by fulfilling items on the girls’ wish lists, including guest choreographers, practice attire, and videographers to enhance the dance team’s social media presence.
Blair Guillaume, Golden Girls instructor, pushed for a wish list item that would symbolize members’ lifelong attachment: a Forever Ring, gifted to graduating seniors. The team collaborated with Boudreaux’s Jewelers to design this keepsake ring based on Suzanne Perron’s fleur-de-lis design, which also graces Golden Girl costumes.
LSU Golden Girls Alumnae Chapter
The LSU Golden Girls Alumnae chapter was reorganized in 2019, Golden Girls’ 60th anniversary. After the glitter of that year’s anniversary gala subsided, members got to work, with summer board retreats to plan the year’s events. These include a Family Day, held at the Band Hall during Tiger Band’s Reunion Weekend. Last year’s event drew more than 300. During a football bye weekend, the chapter sponsors a girls-only event with a private yoga class, lunch, and shopping.
Members of the Golden Girls Alumnae Chapter: Madalyn Higginbotham, Leslie Dease Day, Kim Boasso, Monica Deslattes, Judy Burch, and Harmony Rochon, left to right
“We are mentors to them,” explained Day. “They reach out to us for their needs. We are like a family unit. We’ve gone through it. We know what they need to be successful.”
Harmony Rochon described how her Golden Girls instructor taught her the teaching methods she employs as a teacher now.
“I didn’t even realize it at the time,” said Rochon. “Later on, as I instinctively knew the concepts, I realized why. For me, so much of what I learned comes with you throughout your life’s experiences. It’s part of your identity for the rest of your life.”
Shelby Cox Conti scholarship supports Golden Girls
The newly created Shelby Cox Conti Golden Girl Scholarship fund preserves her legacy and supports future generations of LSU Golden Girls. Shelby Cox Conti (1965 BACH HS&E) passed away at her home in Los Angeles on March 21.
Shelby and Bill married in 1965, after graduating from LSU, and embarked on an adventurous life, first moving to New York City where Bill pursued graduate studies at The Juilliard School, and then to Rome, Italy, where they welcomed their daughters, Rachela and Nicola. When the Contis returned to the United States, they settled in Los Angeles, where Shelby worked at CBS Television City and KHJ radio.
In 2022, the Contis donated his Oscar and Emmy Award-winning scores as part of the William and Shelby Conti Papers, available in LSU Libraries Special Collections.
Shelby's commitment to her community was unwavering. For more than three decades, she dedicated her time and energy to various charitable and service organizations. She is survived by her husband, Bill; their two daughters; and five grandchildren.
For more information on the Shelby Cox Conti Golden Girl Scholarship, visit http://givelsu.org/shelbyconti.