Local cheerleader marches in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

by Karen Nathan

Samantha Cordray, a senior at Revere High School, experienced an age-old holiday tradition up close, marching in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cordray was one of 600 high school cheerleaders and dancers to be selected by Spirit of America Cheer and Pom. Dancers and cheerleaders have been performing in the parade since the 1980s and Spirit of America has been working with Macy’s on the program for the past 35 years. 

Cordray’s road to cheerleading began with competitive dance before joining All Star Cheer in eighth grade. She began cheering varsity in ninth grade, and was part of the Revere team that was this year’s Suburban League Champs. 

While most of the Spirit of America performers are selected at summer cheer camps throughout the United States, a few, like Cordray, auditioned on their own. Of the people who try out, only 5% are accepted. 

Cordray’s mother, Veronica, said they were watching the 2023 Macy’s Parade and saw the cheerleaders. “We thought it would be really cool,” she said. Cordray submitted her audition materials through video and was selected two months later. 

Spirit of America brings the performers and their families to New York a week before the parade for rehearsals and bonding. Everyone stays together at the Hilton Midtown. Once in the city, the youth are divided into groups, some by specialties like stunts and cheerleading. Cordray’s cheer group was comprised of girls like her who had sent in audition videos, some from as far away as Florida and Texas. “We all got to become best friends,” Cordray said. 

Cordray rehearsed the parade routine every day in New York, sometimes twice a day. However, there was time for sightseeing. The entire Spirit of America group, including their families, saw the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, visited the Empire State Building, Hell’s Kitchen and went on the Statue of Liberty cruise. They also saw the musical Wicked on Broadway.

On Thanksgiving Day, Cordray left the hotel at 5:30 a.m. and waited in the cold, rainy weather for the parade to start at 8:30 a.m. When they got the signal to go, Cordray removed her winter gear she had worn in the elements, which was later donated to people in need, as is Spirit of America custom.

The parade route runs two and a half miles from Central Park West to Herald Square. Spirit of America cheerleaders and dancers performed throughout the route. 

“We were behind the balloons,” Cordray said. “I got to see everything.” When they reached Macy’s flagship store, the group did a few routines. “The camera men were moving throughout the formation,” she said. “They tell you to seek out the camera. I was dancing right behind the Macy’s star, which was really cool.”

Cordray’s whole family was there to cheer for her. With her older siblings away at college, it was a chance for the family to be together and tour New York City. Veronica said she always wanted to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and watching her daughter made it special. 

“It’s always great to see your kid perform,” she said. “It was a unique environment and event, and we all thought it was amazing.” Cordray echoed the sentiment: ”It was so crazy cool and fun to perform. I felt super special.”

photo caption: Samantha Cordray poses in her Spirit of America cheer uniform. Photo submitted