The Big Apple recently experienced a “jaguar invasion” on Thanksgiving. The Jaguarettes, Academy’s dance team, performed in New York City at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Universal Dance Association by Varsity Spirit afforded them this opportunity. The organization,  known for hosting annual summer dance camps and competitions,  also invites high school seniors and officers of the organization to participate  in the legendary  Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This year Macy’s sponsored two Jaguarettes, seniors Meaghan Wehle and Olivia Obregon.  They left Tampa on the Saturday morning of November 19 and returned the coming weekend. In their free time, they enjoyed Broadway shows such as “Sister Act,” site-seeing at iconic New York attractions like the Statue of Liberty, watching the Radio City Rockets Christmas Spectacular, and dancing at master classes with top choreographers from around the country.

“It was certainly a hectic weekend,”Meaghan Wehle said. “Every day was filled with constant activities and practice. Rest was never an option.”

The girls’ trip took an even more exciting turn after the close of their rehearsal on Friday, November 18, when they found out that they would serve as the audience for the pre-lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center. This year’s tree is a 10-ton behemoth that stands 74 feet tall.  On hand to perform were Faith Hill, Tony Bennett, and Justin Bieber.

Wehle said,”Even though it was wonderful to feel famous for about two hours during the parade, the best part of the entire weekend were the little girls that would look to their moms and point at us and say, ‘Mom, I want to be like her when I’m older!'”

“The entire trip was an  absolute whirlwind! This entire week was seven fun-filled days that we will never forget.”