Steffany Lien keeps a dizzying schedule. She is a twirler, after all.
A second-year student in the University of Nebraska College of Law, Lien is one of two twirlers for the Cornhusker Marching Band, a six-time gold medalist in baton twirling at the world championships and last year’s Miss Nebraska (which she did while pulling double-duty twirling with the Cornhusker Marching Band).
Is it a lot? Yes. Worth it? Totally.
“I grew up coming to the stadium as a kid and watching Husker games — it’s literally been a lifelong dream of mine to twirl on the field someday,” Lien said. “I would have never imagined it would actually lead me to Memorial Stadium to perform in front of our amazing fans.”
Memorial Stadium is only the latest stop in the long path of Lien’s twirling career.
She began twirling at age four, and by age 10 was competing in the world championships in Belgium. She’s since twirled in world championships in Switzerland, Italy and Norway, and under a full scholarship for Louisville in undergrad.
Despite all her success, Lien has always felt Nebraska — and her childhood dreams — calling her back.
“Nebraska will always be home to me, and it’s where I want to live long-term,” she said. “It was good to venture out and try new things because now I know this is where I want to be. I couldn’t be happier to be back.”
After returning home and completing her first year in Nebraska Law, Lien took a year off to embark on yet another journey: serving as Miss Nebraska.
“It was an incredible opportunity to travel around the state, participate in fundraisers and work on service projects,” she said of her Miss Nebraska duties, which she was able to do in tandem with twirling for the marching band. “It was a very busy year.”
Now back in school and gearing up for the first home football game, Lien is ready to get back on the field and inspire the next generation of Huskers in the crowd.
“Any time I encounter a little girl who tells me that she wants to do what I’m doing someday, it’s really exciting,” she said. “I remember being that girl looking out at the twirlers, and to be in that role now means so much to me.”
