Copperettes in the Big Apple for Macy’s Parade

By BRITTANY FHOLER 
Cove Leader-Press 

Four Copperettes headed to New York City on Friday to prepare for the upcoming 92nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where they will join hundreds of other dancers from across the country. 
Capt. Erin Smith, Takara Stover, Hadiya Gay and Maraya Buendia earned a spot as four of the Spirit of America dancers that will be performing for a two-mile stretch Thursday morning during the parade. 
While CCHS has sent Copperettes to New York for the past three years, this year marks the largest number of student dancers selected to go. 
The four CCHS seniors learned and practiced five routines during a three-day dance camp in August before trying out in front of representatives from Spirit of America Dance Productions for spots on the All-American team, Honorable Mention and the Kick Company, which Smith earned a spot on. 
When finding out the results, Smith said she was really nervous but that since then, she has been told over and over again how this opportunity is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 
“Coach [Christine] Slinger cried this morning when I told her I was going to be in the parade,” Smith said, adding that Slinger said she had always wanted to see the parade live.
None of the four girls have been to New York City before, but they are looking forward to the jam-packed week that has been planned to a T, with meal times, practice times and free time all scheduled. 
In addition to hours of rehearsing for the parade, dancers and their family members will be seeing Aladdin on Broadway, watching the Rockettes perform at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, visiting the 9/11 Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square and touring the original Macy’s Department store.
“It’s gonna be a no sleep week,” Buendia said. 
Stover made the All-American team last year and earned the opportunity to perform at the 72nd Overton’s Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day where Louisiana State University and Notre Dame played against each other. Compared to that, Stover called the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more nerve-wracking since everyone will be watching. 
She added that the part she is looking forward to most, aside from performing, is seeing the Rockettes perform. 
Gay said she was excited to be the parade, adding that she would get to tell others how she was breathing the same air Diana Ross will breathe, as Ross and her family will be some of the many celebrities featured. 
Gay added that when she first tried out during her sophomore year, she never imagined she would one day be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. 
Smith said she was ready for the parade but also nervous about being in an unfamiliar setting. 
“I think the only thing that’s ever made me this nervous and excited at the same time was finding out being Captain of the team,” Smith said. 
Buendia shared that she has been keeping track of the weather in New York City in the weeks leading up to the parade. 
Both Buendia and Smith have already been in contact with their roommate for the week through social media and say that has helped build the excitement. 
Being able to experience something new and make new friends and share the experience with each other makes the whole thing “definitely one for the books,” Smith said. 
The trip to New York and the opportunity to perform in front of millions and represent Copperas Cove is the cherry on top for the four Copperettes. 
“It like ties it all together because we’ve been working for the past four years to get to this opportunity,” Buendia said. 
Stover called it an honor to be able to represent Cove, which Gay agreed with. 
“People see Copperettes and they just see us perform,” Gay said. “They don’t see the time, the effort, sometimes the punishment, the workouts, the dance bruises and all that we get from it, so just working up to this and finally having it, of course it pays off when we perform for people at halftime, but being rewarded for it, that’s kind of what this is.”
The 92nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC’s “Today” show Thursday, November 22 at 9 a.m. EST/ 8 a.m. CST.