Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition for many families across the U.S.
This year, Mauldin High School’s dance team will dance its way into living rooms throughout the country when its members perform on Herald Square Nov. 28.
Comprising 19 girls — including three Mauldin Middle School eighth-graders and a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors — the Mauldin Mavettes have worked toward this moment for several years.
Establishing the Mavettes
Before the Mavettes, Mauldin High School had another dance team. It ceased to exist when its coach left in 2018. When students began to return to school after the COVID-19 pandemic, some MHS staff members wanted to bring back the team. Mary Blevin, the principal’s secretary, stepped up to sponsor the team and work with an adjunct dance coach, Mary Burns.
“We rekindled this dance team and rebranded it (by) giving it the name the Mavettes,” Belvin said. “We had 18 amazing high school students that said ‘I’m going to try out and I’m going to do this’ not really knowing what they were trying out for. They were just girls who love to dance.”
Once the team relaunched, its members had to learn a variety of routines, including halftime and sideline dances and specialty performances, to match new music the marching band played.
Dreaming of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Ahead of the team’s first appearance in the 2021 Mauldin Christmas Parade, Blevin planted the idea of going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“The first time we heard about it, we were actually practicing for the Mauldin Christmas Parade,” said Rylie Owens, a senior and founding member of the Mavettes. “The Marys huddled us together and they were like, ‘We want to get y’all on the Macy’s (Thanksgiving) Day Parade.’ Last year, we got serious about it and so we took two (separate) practices to practice. We filmed it and did a halftime routine (and) two or three sidelines. We even spelled out Macy’s with our poms.”
In January, the Mavettes learned the team would go as part of the 2024 Spirit of America group, which includes about 600 dancers between the ages of 13 and 18 chosen from audition tapes submitted by studios and school teams across the country.
Preparing for the parade
With the start of a new school year, the team has welcomed to its ranks four rookies who auditioned and knew they would be part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“I remember my mom was on a video chat information meeting and I remember you (Blevin) announced that we would be going to the Macy’s Parade,” said Sierra Adams, a freshman at Mauldin High School. “I was so excited. My dream is to become a Rockette. To hear I could be in the Macy’s parade was a step toward my dream.”
Since February, the Mavettes have participated in fundraisers such as a doughnut valentine delivery and selling yard signs for graduating seniors. The team also received a $5,000 sponsorship from Whataburger and hosted the Mini Mavettes dance camp during the summer.
As the Mavettes inch closer to the trip, the team is working towards meeting its $11,000 transportation fundraising goal and will host another event, the Little Miss Mavette Pageant, Oct. 5 at Mauldin High School. Children may be entered in the Wee Miss, Little Miss, Young Miss and Preteen Miss categories. The entrance fee is $50 per child for the formal and spirit wear competitions. Participants may also register for the photogenic and talent competitions. For more information, visit instagram.com/mauldin_mavettes.
Team roster
Seniors: Riley Bussom, Austyn Anthony, Emma Housley, Rylie Owens, Holland Belvin (captain), Sarah Bloomingburg (captain), Chloe Latimore, Sydney Sullivan
Juniors: Kate Roemmich, EmmieMae Peden, Marjolein Howard
Sophomores: Maya Sanders, Mackenzie Lankford
Freshmen: Sierra Adams, Ella Baker, Madelyn Bubb
Mauldin Middle School eighth graders: Delaney Baltz-Pace, Emma Kate Cobb, Macie Savage
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