Four Monsignor Edward Pace High School seniors were invited to perform in the 86th Annual 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 27.
Annalise Rodriguez, Amanda Gonzalez, Stephanie Roque, and Meghan Roucco were selected after attending a Universal Dance Association Officer Camp this past summer. Their performance, as part of a crew of more than 650 cheerleading and dance team members representing the Varsity Spirit group, will be televised nationally live on NBC.
The performance will come near the end of an eight-day trip to New York City from November 22-28. To prepare, the girls will spend the week before rehearsing for the performance in dance classes along with the rest of the selected cheerleaders and dancers from across the country. They will also have the chance to sightsee in the city and even attend a private Broadway performance of Aladdin where they can talk with the cast after the show.
On Thanksgiving, they will be marching down the streets of Manhattan during the parade before ending up in Herald Square, where they will have a televised performance of the routine they have spent the week rehearsing.
“As a high school senior and team captain, I attended [the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade program] and it was the most incredible experience I have ever had,” said Dance Program director Karina Saud. “It is truly my favorite memory and something that most will never get to experience.” Saud said that the girls are incredibly excited for this trip and that she will be cheering them on from the stands in New York City.