By Jack Orloff

Thanksgiving for the Ann Richards Marching Stars will be sweeter than pumpkin pie as they were selected as the first all-female public school band to march in the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Due to the pandemic last year, all of the Marching Stars events had to be canceled, including their anticipated performance at the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"Having to tell our seniors that we couldn't go was something I'll never forget," said Stephen Howard, band director.

But the Stars were not discouraged or deterred from their goal. They kept working and using technology such as Zoom to rehearse at home while campuses were closed. Their patience and hard work paid off when they found out this year they had been invited back for the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

"We have had an overwhelming sense of pride with being invited to the parade," Howard said. "The fact that the Macy's selection committee chose us to represent Texas and Austin among so many qualified and amazing programs is humbling and a huge honor. The students most definitely understand that and are so thrilled that a dream such as this could come true for them."

Howard said the Stars will continue to prepare and train for the parade route and their normal competitions for the 2021 season.

“We must also physically train and prepare to march the three-mile parade route,” he said. “Marching band is an athletic activity and will require us to be in top shape.”
 
The Marching Stars’ dedication and work ethic has earned them another chance at the historic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"We are hopeful and optimistic that this year's parade will be a celebration of our activity and an emotional return to what we would consider normal,” Howard said. “Our students being in the center of that occasion is tremendous and certainly will be an unforgettable experience for us."