ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
Windermere High School sophomore Noah Valle is preparing to march and play the trombone in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, joining 250 of the nation’s top high school musicians.
“As soon as I got the call, me and my dad were just jumping for joy,” Valle said.
In addition to Valle, four other Orange County Public Schools students from Horizon and West Orange high schools will also perform as part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
For many American families, watching the parade is a Thanksgiving morning tradition.
“Every time, like, we would be over at my grandparents’ house, they’d have it on, and we would just, like, spend time with them,” Valle said.
Valle’s parents, Destiny and Lisandro, who met while in the band at Auburn University, are thrilled about their son’s achievement.
“He’s so talented. He really is. He’s so talented. And I’m just so proud of him,” said Destiny Valle, Noah’s mother.
“I informed just about half the world, right, and our family,” said Lisandro Valle, Noah’s father.
The family is taking a vacation to New York to support Noah, and his younger sister is especially excited about the trip.
“Our youngest, her first reaction was, ‘I’m going to New York City!’ But then she said, ‘I’m going shopping. I already have a list of places to go,'” Lisandro Valle said.
Noah, who has been playing the trombone since sixth grade, is only a sophomore. He applied for the opportunity last year but wasn’t selected.
“It was just that much more surprising that I made it,” Valle said. “I’m just really blessed to be able to do this. It’s awesome.”
Until the parade, Valle is focusing on building his endurance.
He will travel to New York City a week before Thanksgiving to learn the songs he’ll perform and to receive the uniform he’ll wear.
As for his parents, they plan to wake up early on Thanksgiving morning to secure a good spot along the parade route, no matter the weather.