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Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School musicians return home after making historic NYC debut

Parkland’s Eagle Regiment marching band performs at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

PARKLAND, Fla. – The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students from Parkland made Florida proud during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

The resilient public school’s Eagle Regiment marching band returned home to South Florida Friday night after performing their rendition of the holiday classic “The Polar Express” in Manhattan.

Steve Rivero, the band’s director, said the memory of 14-year-old Alex Schachter, a former band member and one of the 17 victims of the 2018 shooting at the school, lives on.

“I started crying looking at the whole thing,” Rivero said. “It was just really an incredible moment.”

Local 10 News caught up with Sax player Spencer Kaufman and color guard’s Matea Cohen, fresh off their spectacular performance.

“I’m very proud of myself but I’m also pretty exhausted,” said Cohen.

Schachter’s family and the family of Gina Montalto, another 14-year-old student killed on Feb. 14, 2018, helped to support the band.

Gina loved to dance and she was a member of the school’s color guard. Rivero said the names of Alex and Gina were on the flag at the parade. He felt proud.

“They played impeccably throughout the entire parade,” Rivero said.

A group of 32 dancers from the Maria Verdeja School of the Arts in Miami-Dade County also performed at the parade.

The young men and women shined a positive light on their school and their community — for nothing else but their talent.

Related report

Top photos of the parade’s balloons

The Leo balloon floats by along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
The handlers guide the Paw Patrol balloon along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
Handlers guide the Pikachu and Eevee balloon along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
Kung Fu Panda's Po balloon floats along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
Kung Fu Panda's Po balloon floats along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
The Beagle Scout Snoopy balloon sits poised for the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade near the New York Historical Society Museum, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)
Parade performers lead the Tom Turkey float down Central Park West at the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)

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