The annual tradition of the senior Dazzlers taking part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade continued this year, as seniors Sophia Liporace, Abby Swank, and Amelia Porges traveled to New York City to dance in the parade.

This is all possible because of US Performing Arts Department Chair and Dance Teacher Mrs. Sara Salivar, who has a connection with Spirit of America Productions. Spirit of America Productions is the exclusive provider of cheerleaders and dancers to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Mrs. Salivar is very proud of the Dazzlers who take their talents to New York City each year. 

“It’s not everybody who gets to participate in the Macy’s Day Parade, and it’s a pretty special event that only happens once in a lifetime for a performer. For the seniors, it’s a terrific opportunity for them to get together and work together,” she said.

According to Mrs. Salivar, the tradition of sending the senior Dazzlers to the Parade has been happening for over a decade. Because of how well-documented this history is, Liporace has thought about the trip since joining the dance team during her freshman year.

“I’ve been looking forward to it since freshman year and was excited to partake,” she said.

In order to prepare for the Parade, the Dazzlers were sent a video of the choreography by Spirit of America to learn before their arrival in New York. Then, once they arrived in New York on Saturday, Nov. 20, they had five days that totaled about 25 hours of rehearsal in order to prepare for the Parade on Thursday, Nov. 25.

However, spending that much time on rehearsals for such a short routine was found to be somewhat irritating to the Dazzlers.

“I was definitely not expecting to spend that much time in rehearsal just for a one and a half minute routine, and there were definitely some questionable aspects of the program,” Swank said. Regardless, she still had fun on the trip because of she was able to spend time with friends and dance.

After their exhausting rehearsals, the cold Thanksgiving day, a complain of the Dazzlers, finally came, and they were ready to begin the Parade and their routine. They walked from 81st Street to 34th Street. While it was cold and the Dazzlers were uncomfortable, once the Parade got started, their spirits were lifted.

“Once we started actually walking, it was exciting to wave to everyone and just generally interact with the crowds. We were only actually dancing for a very brief time, but it was really exhilarating with all of the cameras and confetti,” Swank said.

Aside from the Parade, the Dazzlers tapped into the New York environment.

“We saw Six on Broadway, watched the Rockettes, took a harbor cruise to the Statue of Liberty, visited the Oculus and the 9/11 memorial, shopped in SoHo, visited Columbia, and just generally walked around,” Swank said.

The Dazzlers were able to not only able to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience but also travel New York with their friends, making a very enjoyable experience for them.