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MHS Marquette Captain, Samantha Gage, Performed In Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Samantha Gage, captain of the McKinney High School Marquettes, was invited to perform with Mike Miller and Associates in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The invitation came after attending the Starmaker's Officer Camp in June.

There were approximately 600 dancers and 600 cheerleaders from across the nation performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Samantha Gage represented McKinney High School and the Marquettes. Gage departed from Texas to New York on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and returned the following weekend.

The performers took part in daily rehearsals to prepare for the live TV performance on Thursday morning on NBC. The dancers first walked the parade route and then performed at the end of the route in front of Macy's Department Store, which was televised.  The dancers danced to a space theme and wore futuristic costumes with goggles. Gage was lucky and was placed in the front of the dance line.  So, yes , McKinney residents were able to watch her on the TV screen on Thanksgiving day.

In addition to the rehearsals, parade participants experienced the city with tours such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. They attended two shows, the Radio City Music Hall "Christmas Spectacular" featuring the  "Rockettes",  and the musical "West Side Story". They went to Central Park and watched the floats being blown up for the parade.  And they also got to go  shopping in Times Square.

Leanne Mendez, former director of the  MHS Marquettes, was also be there for the event as a staff member with Mike Miller and Associates, and was acting as a guide and chaperone to the performers. Samantha was reunited with her former Marquette director in New York for this exciting event.