With school out for the summer, the Brackenridge Eaglettes, an acclaimed high school dance team, are not taking a break. Instead, they are diving into rigorous training and ambitious fundraising efforts for an extraordinary opportunity: performing in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“This is my dream,” expressed team captain Madison Suarez, as reported by KSAT. “I see my team more than my own family.” This dream became a possibility after the Eaglettes secured the Grand Champion title at the Showtime International competition this past spring, earning them an invitation to perform with Spirit of America in the iconic parade.
“This is really crazy,” remarked Sierra Savage, the head spirit and dance director at Brackenridge High School. “I really am hopeful to make it happen for them.”
For many of the dancers, this opportunity represents more than just a performance. “It would just be an awesome opportunity, especially for some of our other teammates who haven’t been able to leave the state to just grow and just to see other things in life,” noted Mia Rodriguez, another team captain, in her interview with KSAT.
However, the invitation comes with a significant financial challenge. The team needs to raise over $40,000 to cover the costs of sending all 16 girls to New York City. Currently, they have managed to raise about $5,000.
“Who knows if they’ll ever get that chance again in their life to go that far and then be in something as amazing as that parade,” Savage emphasized.
With a fundraising deadline set for September 1, the Eaglettes and their booster parents are leading various initiatives throughout the summer to reach their goal. The community is rallying to support these dedicated dancers in their quest to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a reality.
