This holiday season, Durant High School Senior Katie Campbell will be doing something nobody from Durant has done before.
Campbell is going to be performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Campbell has been accepted by Spirit of America Productions to perform with them in the parade.
According to Durant Cheerleading coach LouAnn Lively, this is the first time a cheerleader from the school has been in the parade.
“I’m not really nervous,” said Campbell. Campbell said there will be other cheerleaders from nearby communities there as well.
Campbell has been cheerleading for about six years and has been a varsity cheerleader at Durant High School for three years.
Campbell applied to be in the parade after cheer camp in June.
Campbell explained that there are certain competitions during the camp that, if won, qualify a cheerleader to apply to be in the parade.
After she was accepted, Campbell was sent a link to the training video for the routine that will be performed at the parade.
Campbell said she had to learn all parts of the routine and will only be told which part she will actually be performing when she arrives in New York.
Campbell has been working on the routine as well as her school work and normal cheerleading activities with the school.
“It’s been kind of hard because there because there are a lot of parts,” said Campbell. “But I’ve pretty much got it down now.”
She said the trip is a Christmas present from her grandparents who are paying her way to the parade. She will be accompanied by her mother, aunt and cousin to New York.
Campbell left Saturday. She began practicing her part in the routine with Spirit of America Productions on Saturday as well.
Campbell will also practice on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday will be reserved for sightseeing.
She said the group will be taken to see the Statue of Liberty, the Rockets and “Bring It On” on Broadway.
“It’s a good experience,” said Lively. Lively said this opportunity will further Campbell’s career.
Lively is unable to go with her student to the parade. “I’m really excited. I’m just sad I can’t go and watch her personally,” said Lively.
Lively said she feels better know that Campbell’s mother will be going and she promised to watch the parade on television Thanksgiving Day and hopes others from Durant will be watching as well.







