NAME: Abby Wheeler

GRADE/SCHOOL: 12th grade, High School

SPOTLIGHT MOMENT: Abby was in the national spotlight as a member of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band which performed during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. Abby played the tenor saxophone in the band. She was selected after being recommended for the honor by her band teacher Jackie Kovacs, and after submitting a recording of herself playing. 

“It was just a dynamic experience,” Abby said. To prepare, Abby practiced and then memorized the music for the parade. In the city her whirlwind experience included uniform fittings, practices, marching, staging for the performance in Herald Square, and a dress rehearsal along the parade route in the wee hours of the morning on Thanksgiving Day. The band members also took in the sites of NYC and the play “Tootsie.”

 

 

MORE ABOUT ABBY: In addition to being a talented musician, Abby shows Arabian horses in competition. She competes with her gelding, MCK Tristen in shows across the US. This past season she was the Unanimous Champion in the Region 16 competition in two events, and among the top 5 competitors in the prestigious Region 14 competition. Abby has been riding and showing horses for over 9 years.

 

Favorite Subject: Science/Biology

Least Favorite Subject: Macroeconomics

Future Plans: Abby plans to major in biology and psychology with a minor in music in college. She has yet to decide where she will attend.