Two
Detroit students get their ideas transformed into a float and
balloon for the parade
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Tierra
Bascomb was the winner of the Skillman Float Design Contest.
|
|
(Quicktime
Video)
|
|
DETROIT
– Tierra
Bascomb, an 8th grader from Bates Academy in Detroit and Freddie
Burse, a 7th grader from Clippert Academy in Detroit came to the
Parade Company on Tuesday. They were the grand prize-winning artists
of the 18th annual Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon Design
Contest. By the time they left their ideas on paper were transformed
into a real-life float and balloon for America's Thanksgiving
Parade. Both students will get the rare opportunity to be in the
parade as it goes down Woodward Avenue.
Bascomb's
drawing of "Past, Present, Music!" was transformed into
a float for America's Thanksgiving Parade. Her float also serves
as tribute to Motown's 50th anniversary this year. Burse's drawing
of "Turtle" was transformed into a vibrant balloon.
"It's
basically about music, the generation of music," said Tierra
Bascomb, a student at Bates Academy. "The headphones, the
music, the records, the Motown just period. It didn't really take
that long. I just needed to draw it on paper. It looked really
nice so I decided to enter it. I just can't wait to be in the
parade, can't wait."
When
the 8th grader found out she won the float contest, she said:
"I was really shocked. It was still trying to process it
really. But I was really excited though. I was really surprised
that I could ride in the float. A good thing to say I was in the
parade."
Attendees
of this special event included the student artists, their families,
teachers and principals. Twelve honorable mention winners were
also revealed and they got the chance to see their drawings on
display. Representatives from the Skillman Foundation and the
Parade Company were also on hand.
"Our
teacher was showing us images on our computer, if we wanted to
do any of those, we had to change it and make it our own,"
said Freddie Burse, a student at Clippert Academy. "I thought
the turtle would be easiest because of spots on its shell. So
I chose that."
When
the 7th grader found out he won the balloon contest, he said:
"I was overwhelmed because me and my sister were joking about
how ugly the turtle was. We didn't think that it was going to
win. I'm just excited."
Bascomb
will ride on her float during the parade alongside Detroit Mayor
Dave Bing. Burse will ride next to his 35-foot balloon as it soars
above thousands of parade-goers during the parade.
"There
were hundreds of students from the Detroit Public Schools in grades
four through eight," said Tony Michaels, President &
CEO of the Parade Company. "We have a panel. The students
and schools submit all of the entries. Then, we have a large panel.
It's paired down, it's paired down and it's paired down again.
Finally, we have two great winners. The float and the balloon
each take four to five weeks [to build]."
Each
year, The Skillman Foundation writes an educational grant to The
Parade Company for the design contest.
"We
are lucky we get to do this program with Skillman," Michaels
added. "This is the 18th year and it only gets better. What
a great moment for the winners and all the great students who
put in all the great designs."
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Bascomb
is interviewed by a reporter.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Bascomb's
drawing of "Past, Present, Music!"
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Tony
Michaels is the President & CEO of the Parade Company.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Honorable
Mention Drawings
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Carol
Goss is the President & CEO of the Skillman Foundation.
| PREVIOUS
PAGE |
:::
PAGE ONE ::: |
|
[
Return to our coverage of the 2009
America's Thanksgiving Parade ]
