NEW YORK — A high school band from Cartersville, Georgia performed in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York.
Abby Matthews and the Woodland High School Wildcat Marching Band were also awarded the 2018 Bob Hope Band Scholarship. It's the first time in the parade's 92-year history that Cartersville has been represented.
Woodland High School marching band performs in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
"It's really exciting," Matthews said. "It's very - just a wonderful experience to have."
Matthews and the local marching band were chosen based on the merit of an essay competition. The topic was Bob Hope and the importance of giving back.
"I wrote an essay entitled "Hope Springs Afire" based around our marching band show that was called "Hope Springs Eternal" and it kind of played on Bob Hope's last name and his belief that we should be servant leaders," Matthews said. "And so I talked about my entire high school career as band captain and just try to help out with my band and outside."
Matthews' band director also had kind words for his student and said the scholarship would be a blessing to both her and the band as a whole.
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“We are so incredibly proud of Abby Matthews and her accomplishments as a musician and leader in our school and community," said Eric Willoughby. "Abby works tirelessly and selflessly to achieve her goals. She has inspired her peers and continually inspires me to be the best director I can be."