Two District 202 high school students are preparing for the performance of a lifetime with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
“My heart skipped a beat when I found out I was accepted,” Plainfield North High School senior Ava Florez said. 
The mellophone player will be marching through the Big Apple in the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2024, representing her school at the event for the first time.
“I can't wait to march down the streets of New York City with such amazing musicians and perform on national television to close off my high school marching career with a bang,” Florez said.
Plainfield East High School senior Kelechi Ohale will also be marching in the same band in the Big Apple. 
However, Ohale will be leading the prestigious band as one of only two drum majors.
“I applied because I genuinely enjoy the experience of being a drum major,” Ohale said. “To hold that position on such a grand scale has been a dream of mine.”
To apply, Florez had to submit audition videos to showcase her musical and marching capabilities.
Ohale’s application process was slightly different.
She was selected based on her exemplary behavior and leadership at this summer’s Smith Walbridge drum major camp.
Florez and Ohale are among 185 high school musicians across the country invited to take part in the honor.
Members of the band will arrive in New York on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and will have daily rehearsals leading up to the parade.
“I know that everyone there will be passionate about music, and I am so excited to have this opportunity to be a part of that crowd,” Florez said.
“The chance to represent my community and my school is definitely one I am not taking for granted,” Ohale said.
Stepping-off from Central Park, the Band will be cheered by the three million spectators lining the 2.5-mile parade route, including their proud families.
“I go on approximately two-mile runs once a week to help build my endurance and prepare my body,” Florez said.
Ohale said she is going on walks to build her endurance as well.
Early on Thanksgiving morning, the band will travel to Herald Square for a pre-dawn dress rehearsal in front of the NBC cameras and then gather to line up for the start of the parade.
Florez said watching the parade is a family tradition.
“I am really looking forward to exploring New York City for the first time and being a part of such a cool performance,” Florez said.
The band will play two songs, "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter and "Happy" by Pharrell Williams for the parade route.
“I hope to meet new people and learn new things during my time as drum major in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band,” Ohale said.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones.