Siegel High School student to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York

When you wake up early Thanksgiving morning to tune into the Macy's parade, keep your eye out for a Siegel High School student.

Mackenzie Campbell, a senior, was selected as one of the 200 students who will perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Now in its 93rd year, the annual parade will feature country music stars Chris Young, Chris Janson and Tenille Townes. 

Campbell, part of the school's color guard, choreographed her routine and submitted it to judges. She learned in May that she had earned one of the highly selective spots for the parade. 

"(The judges) only take about 40 students to fill those spots from around the country," color guard director Katie Racki said. "Getting selected for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band is very competitive."

Campbell has been part of the color guard for four years and plans to continue in college if she attends a local university. 

“You have to stay true to yourself and really work on practicing for yourself and for the better of the group," she said. 

She's the only student from Rutherford County selected to perform in the parade. 

"I have been teaching Mackenzie for two years now, and the bulk of preparing came from her," Racki said. "What I can say is that I gave Mackenzie the basic tools. I taught her the technique and refinement that would make her stand out among other students from around the country." 

The senior will spend a week in New York ahead of the parade where she'll attend leadership events, tour the city and attend a Broadway play. Additionally, she'll learn the routine for the Thanksgiving performance, but she's not worried about the time crunch. 

“I know I can handle whatever they throw at me," she said. 

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Reach Brinley Hineman at bhineman@gannett.com or 615-278-5164 and on Twitter @brinleyhineman.