It’s cold. No, It’s freezing, was the thought going through senior Adriene Davidson’s head as she awaited for her time to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade. The girls had been awake since 3 a.m. that morning, and they weren’t allowed to wear gloves or pants while they waited to perform.
“It was different being on the other end of the T.V.,” Davidson said.
More than 800 girls participated in the cheer, and they only practiced for less than a week. The day before the parade they went through the routine with lights and cameras, so they had a chance to prepare themselves for how hectic it would be. Their practices were three to four hours long and they gave the girls a chance to bond before they went out for activities together. Aside from all the cheering, Adriene got to visit The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, see Aladin on Broadway, go shopping in Times Square and see the Rockettes. They also had the opportunity to go ice skating in Rockefeller park.
“My biggest worry was she would lose her debit card,” mother Tina Davidson said. “And right after she landed, she lost it.”
Tina arrived in New York City on Nov. 26th so that she could see Adriene perform in the parade the next day. According to Adriene, the crowds were huge, and she got to walk in the parade and wave at all the people that were excited to see her perform.
“I was just proud she made the accomplishment and she was able to go and have the experience,” coach Erica Gittemeier said.
Getting excepted to participate in the parade was not an easy process. Adriene was first nominated by her cheer camp counselor from last summer. Next she had to tryout and then she had to apply for the opportunity to perform. She was thrilled when she was accepted.
“Watching her in the parade was amazing,” Tina said. “She has watched the parade every year and dreamed of being in the parade since she was a little girl. It is something our family will always remember.”
