DEERFIELD TWP. — Members of the Kings Firecrackers Jump Rope Team won't be having Thanksgiving dinner at home this year.

        They'll be on national television, marching in the 75th anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And for at least one minute, the team from Kings Local Schools will be in the spotlight as television cameras record a special routine coach Lynn Kelley is planning.

TO DONATE

Anyone wishing to send a tax-deductible donation to help with the costs of the trip can send a check, made out to the Kings Local Schools District, to 5620 Columbia Road, Kings Mills, OH 45034.

        “We got our invitation last week and our board (of education) approved the trip this week,” Ms. Kelley said. “It's very exciting. We're waiting to hear what kind of routine or what music we need. We know they want a large group routine and I imagine it will be Christmas music.”

        The team, which has been performing for five years, consists of two dozen fourth- through seventh-graders in the Kings Local Schools district. An estimated 18 will make the trip to New York's Herald Square.

        Firecrackers veteran Sarah Klinker said she's excited, nervous and scared about the upcoming trip.

        “I was so excited when I found out I started jumping around like a firecracker,” the Columbia Elementary School sixth-grader said. “I'm nervous because I don't want to mess up. I'm scared because a lot of people will be watching us. We're used to college- and smaller-size crowds.”

        The team got its first inkling it was being considered for the parade last summer when a representative from Macy's asked Ms. Kelley to send in a videotape of the girls' performance for consideration by the parade selection committee. The Firecrackers was one of the first groups asked to participate in the anniversary parade and the only group so far from Ohio, said Deanna Williams, a Macy's spokeswoman. She said the parade lineup isn't final yet.

        Traveling to New York is something Allie Cory said she's always wanted to do because that's where her favorite movie, Home Alone II, was filmed. Allie, also a sixth-grader at Columbia Elementary, said she's excited about the trip. She also enjoys being on the team.

        “I like this a lot,” Allie said. “It's really fun and you get to meet new friends and take bus rides to new places.”

        Plans are in the works for fund-raisers to help pay for the cost, which could be as much as $1,200 per student, Ms. Kelley said.

        “This is pretty good for a group that started out as a noontime activity,” said Kings Superintendent David Query.

        “Every year it keeps getting bigger and bigger and they get several offers. They just bring a lot of enthusiasm to everything and they create that kind of excitement people like.”

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