Tyrone eighth grade student Mercedes Miller was chosen from more than 500 junior high and senior high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the United States to perform with the All-American Cheer and Dance Team in the 100th Annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

“It was a really fun experience and I had lots of fun. There were a lot of people there and I think I was the first person from Tyrone to go,” said Miller.

Mercedes joined cheerleading in pee-wee and then decided to join it again for her seventh-grade year. 

“My mom wanted me to join and I loved doing it ever since,” said Miller. 

The annual Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia is one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in the nation. 

In order to march and perform, Mercedes had to try out against hundreds of other cheerleaders in her age division at a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) cheer camp in Pine Forest. She then performed in front of a final judging panel and was chosen as an All-American Cheerleader.

“I had to go to a camp in August and then try out in front of many judges, along with 30 schools,” said Miller.

Tyrone senior high cheerleaders Grace LeGars and Lyndsey Fleck were also chosen as All-American Cheerleaders at the cheer camp over the summer. 

Only 10% of the All-American Cheerleaders and Dancers qualify to march in the Thanksgiving Day parade. 

Those chosen were sent a video of the routine a month and advance and have to learn it prior to the event. They then had to learn another routine when they got to the parade practice. 

Miller visited Philadelphia from November 26th through the 29th, and got to practice her routine and visit many Philadelphia landmarks. 

Miller, along with 160-170 other All-American cheerleaders performed alongside lots of massive floats and other performers at the 2019 Donukin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.