On Nov. 28th, senior Kelechi Ohale marched in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. One out of two chosen Drum Majors in the entire nation, Ohale proudly represented Plainfield East High School (PEHS).
As lead Drum Major of PEHS’s marching band, Ohale proved more than competent for the event. Attending Smith Walbridge Clinics (SWC) over the summer, she had the opportunity to audition for the role of Drum Major of the Macy’s All American Marching Band.
“When you sign up to go to Smith Walbridge Clinics, you can select your interest in being Drum Major. When I saw that junior year, I clicked it, went through the process, and ended up not getting it. This year, I did it again. I went through the camp and experienced all the stuff, and then I got it. It is based on your participation, leadership, skills, and your performance at the camp,” said Ohale, “I made sure to be myself and hang out with my friends and have a good time. I didn’t want to be fake but I wanted to make sure they saw the best in me. I made sure I was on my best behavior.”
Ohale received the news in a bittersweet moment, reading the email only minutes after a lockdown instilled fear in the students at PEHS.
“It had been a couple weeks and I emailed asking if it [the results] came out yet. They said they’d let me know. After awhile, maybe in the second week of September, I’m in my Econ class and it’s a lockdown drill and we don’t know if it’s real or not. After the lockdown we go back and I sit down and my parents texted me with a screenshot of the email saying I got in,” said Ohale.
Ohale readily prepared for the week, making sure to pack the important items and remembering to have a good time and be herself.
“I started talking with the other drum major who is going to be in it so I can make some friends before I get there. I’m making sure I am packed and to represent my community well,” said Ohale.
She emphasizes the importance of being kind and being herself – part of the reason she was given the opportunity.
“Take every opportunity and every chance. Just go for it even if you think you might not succeed. In most cases, you’re not going to lose anything from just trying. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be kind. It’s free to be kind,” said Ohale.
Plainfield students and staff are proud of Ohale, making history as a Bengal in The Big Apple.