Worcester County Students Review on Participating in the Rose Parade

Wanjiru Waweru, Jadetimes Staff

W. Waweru is a Jadetimes News Reporter Covering America News

---

Image Source: Spectrum News

Leicester, Massachusetts — A group of Leicester High School students reflected on the good times on the road trip that lasted for a lifetime as they returned from performing in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.

Russell Baker, Ella Smith, Trevor Moorghan, Dakota Sinkevich, and Sean Alves were one of dozens Massachusetts students who performed as the New England Honor Band, one of 24 marching bands participated at the parade. 

“You get to think about, ‘Oh I just did that’” said Baker. “And everybody else has the same expression on their faces.”

“I just remember turning the corner and there’s more people than I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Smith. “I just felt like, Wow, this is bigger than I imagined it.”

Leicester High School’s music director and Leicester Middle School’s band director Alexis Philips and Kristina Looney accompanied the Students. Both instructors reported that they were impressed when students sweep their feet and maintain their posture with in front of millions of viewers watching.

“I think the biggest thing that I watched them get out of this experience was that hard work can put you somewhere, and it means something, “ said Looney. “We’ve been rebuilding our programs since COVID happened, and giving them this opportunity is really seeing them grow and progress as better musicians and stronger humans.”

It was almost six miles of flashing lights, gigantic crowds, and large instruments, and altough the experience certainly came with some nerves, the students won’t forget the feeling any time soon.

“It was my first parade ever marching,” said Moorghan. “They told us how many people were expected to be there, and you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s just a number,’ but once you’re there, you really see.”

“Starting off in such a small band and culminating into such a huge moment and large parade that everyone knows, it’s just absolutely amazing, said Sinkevich.”

Worcester County Students from Auburn High School, Millbury High School, David Prouty High School, Burncoat High School, and Leominster High School, also joined the parade.