BELLE FOURCHE— Seven Belle Fourche cheerleaders have been chosen to represent the town in the prestigious Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this year: Luclia Merjil, Hunter Brown, Amayah Gomez, Selene Walker, Aubrey Wilson, Julie Swanson, and Chelsea Zinke, along with their coaches Michaela Horn and Lacey Doyle. This will mark the fourth time that Belle Fourche cheerleaders will participate in the iconic event.
The selection process for the cheerleaders included creating an audition tape and sending it to Spirit of America Productions. Out of 600 available slots, these talented cheerleaders were chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Now, they are in the midst of fundraising efforts to cover their all-inclusive tickets, which cost $3,000-per-cheerleader. Each girl is responsible for raising the money needed to cover their trip package.
“I have kind of stepped in and you know, help them perfect the dance, worked with them and then help submit those audition videos,” said coach Michaela Horn. “This is something that the kids do look forward to, especially after our initial three went a few years ago…They have really been working and it’s something that they have, you know, kind of set their minds to do before they leave high school.”
To raise the necessary funds, the cheerleaders have been busy organizing various events such as bake sales, car washes, and a cheerleaders versus city council 50/50 raffle. They have also set up a sponsorship package and a Facebook page to keep the community updated on their progress. The deadline for raising the funds is September 1, so the cheerleaders are working hard to meet their goal.
Once the cheerleaders arrive in New York City the week before Thanksgiving, they will spend their days practicing and perfecting their routines. They will also have the opportunity to explore the city and enjoy tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and a Broadway show. “They kind of get the whole tourist package. They get to see a little bit of everything while they’re there,” said Horn.
The community has shown tremendous support for these talented young cheerleaders. As Horn said, “They’re very thankful of everybody in the community supporting them,” and they are grateful for all the help they have received. As they continue their fundraising efforts, the town will continue to show support and help them achieve their dream of performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
