OAKLEAF — Oakleaf High senior Emerson Smiley said it’s a long-standing tradition to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with her family.

To point out the gigantic balloons, excited crowds and extravagant performances broadcasted live from New York City every year on NBC.

But this year’s tradition will be strikingly different. Soon she will be headed to experience it all in person.

Smiley, Oakleaf High Band drum major, will be one of over 200 students playing in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.

Since 2006, the band has incorporated the best high school musicians, dancers and color guard members from across the U.S. to play during the parade, which will celebrate its 99^th year on Nov. 27.

Smiley will be playing the flute alongside other piccolo, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, sousaphone and drumline sections.

Beginning at Central Park, the band will join a lineup of gigantic floats and other top marching bands, striding past 3.5 million spectators along the parade route. According to the Music Festivals and Tours website, the band will then arrive at Macy’s Herald Square where they will perform in front of celebrity hosts and over 50 million T.V. viewers.

Smiley said she found out about the auditions while scrolling on Tik Tok. She said that in all her years of seeing the parade, the band is what always stood out to her. So, she wanted to give it a try.

“I found out all the audition information and I got my solo ready. I ended up submitting that about six months ago,” she said.

For her audition, Smiley said she was required to record herself playing her solo while doing marching fundamentals. Smiley plays the flute during concert season.

A few weeks ago, she found out she made it.

“That was really exciting because I’ve been looking forward to it.”

She was met with a slew of support from her bandmates. Oakleaf High Band Director Chad Robbins expressed his enthusiasm and pride for Smiley, who is the top leader in the program.

“I think this is going to be a great opportunity for her as a performer. As someone who represents our program at our school and our community. She’s such a great member of our program, a great musician.”

Smiley joined her first band in the sixth grade. She said she initially wanted to join the choir, but she received a letter from her then band director about playing an instrument.

“I decided, OK, I’ll just go to it for fun. And I played the flute, and I fell in love with it.”

Smiley raised over $2,500 for her trip and will be headed to the city on Nov. 19. Her days, she said, will be riddled with up to five hours of fast-paced, rigorous rehearsals. But her nerves don’t overpower the anticipation she’s feeling

“I’m also excited to meet new people because I feel like I’ll come out with a whole bunch of new friends.”

As part of the package plan, participants will also enjoy meals, lodging and city sightseeing. Smiley said she’s never been to New York City before but is looking forward to experiencing her favorite pastime in the Big Apple— shopping.

“I hope I can see some new scenery”

But overall, she said she’s hoping this experience will bring her out of her shell.

“I’m kind of a shy person and I feel like being with so many new people would help me open up and just be more myself.”