BY JAYLYNN LESLIE GRAY
Enquirer Contributor
SHARONVILLE -- It's an opportunity of a lifetime, dancing and singing for millions of people on national television.
Forty-five students from Princeton High School will join nearly 500 other U.S. students in New York City to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the nationally known performing arts group, "America Sings! "
America Sings! will perform a choreographed show four times along the 2 1/2-mile parade route, including a performance in front of Macy's Department Store and at Herald Square, an historic Broadway landmark.
"The idea behind America Sings! is to raise the awareness and sensitize young people to the fact that we still have hungry and homeless people in this country," said Thomas Guthrie 46, of East Walnut Hills. Mr. Guthrie is a member of the choral directing staff at Princeton.
"On the day before Thanksgiving while we're in New York, we'll be making sandwiches and packing grocery bags for those in need as part of community service," he said.
The students, members of a cappella and "Spectrum" show choirs, will make the bus trip the Monday before Thanksgiving with eight adult chaperones. They will learn the choreography and lyrics in Cincinnati from a videotape and, once in New York, will rehearse with other students from around the country.
The choreography is led by John Jacobson, the founder of America Sings! Between rehearsals, Princeton students will do some sightseeing and take in a Broadway show.
"I met Mr. Jacobson this summer at a workshop at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio and that's where I got the information about America Sings!," said Mr. Guthrie. "I told him about my choirs and he invited us to join his group to help lead the parade."
"Just getting to New York will be great," said junior Joanna Troyer, 16, of Springdale. "It's the place to be for people interested in performing arts. New York is my Graceland."
On Thanksgiving Day, the Princeton students will board the Star of New York for a sightseeing cruise along the Hudson River complete with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Later that evening they will head back to Cincinnati.
"I didn't believe it at first," said senior Chris Cook, 17, of West Chester. "I thought it was a big joke that Mr. Guthrie was playing on us. My family always gathers around and watches the parade on TV. I won't be at home this year, but I'll be waving to my family."
"This is a great school," said Mr. Guthrie, who is in his 10th year at Princeton. " . . . These are the best kids you could ask for."
