Photo of Emmalice Pugh by Misty C Photography. Scroll down to see how you can help Emmalice get to New York! ??
Study the face in the picture. If you look closely, you might be able to see this Benton student performing in the the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this Fall.
Benton High School colorguard member Emmalice Pugh has been selected to march in Macy’s Great American Marching Band November 23, 2023 during the parade.
Pugh has been a competitive cheerleader for eight years as well as a member of the BJH and BHS cheer squads. This past year she hung up her cheer shoes and picked up the rifle and flag to join the BHS colorguard. With this next school year being her senior year, she decided to audition for Macy’s Great American Marching Band. Auditions were handled through an online process as well as a 3-6 minute video showing skills, marching, and a routine.
Only 30-40 guard members are selected out of the hundreds of auditions coming in from all 50 states. Emmalice is very excited and thankful to be selected to perform with the top marching band students from all over the US.
Upon her arrival in New York, Emmalice will be fitted for her uniform, attend a leadership conference, and begin four days of practice before performing live on Thanksgiving morning. Included in her performance package is a tour of New York City, a Broadway show, dinner at well known restaurants, free time in Times Square, and to finish off the week, a dinner and dance Thanksgiving evening.
Emmalice is honored to be a part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band and to represent the Benton High School Pride of Benton Marching Band. She is the daughter of Jason and Brandi Pugh of Benton. In addition to marching band, she is a member of the BHS choir an Honor Roll student, and works at KFC and Sonic in Benton.
Emmalice is attempting to raise $5,000 ahead of her trip to help fund housing, uniforms, food, and other travel expenses. You can visit https://gofund.me/42d8daeb to contribute. Emmalice says any extra funds to help her to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23 are greatly appreciated.