A big congratulations to our very own Elisabeth Sladek and Katie Nobbe who participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York! Elisabeth played piccolo for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, while Katie participated in the pom style dance group, Varsity Spirit of America.

So how did they receive this marvelous opportunity?

For Katie, it was at UDA camp, a pom camp the PR poms attend every year. The camp decided this year to honor the captains by giving them the opportunity to participate in the parade. Katie has worked hard, and the camp wanted to recognize that by giving her this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Before she left for the Big Apple, Katie was “nervous but very excited to be given this opportunity to see New York and to meet new people… maybe even some celebrities!”

For Elisabeth, it was when she attended the Smith Walbridge Drum Major Clinics this past summer. One of the directors at the camp was also a director for the marching band that would be marching in the parade.

Elisabeth had to prepare a music audition as well as a marching audition. On top of that was the actual application, which was accepted.

This was surely a special experience for Elisabeth; after all, the song that they played in Herald Square was custom made for the 85th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“I’ve watched it every year on TV and now to be a part of it is just a dream come true,” Elisabeth happily exclaimed.