Bloomfield senior participates in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Caitlin Purcell

Caitlin Purcell, a senior and captain of the BHS Redliner's dance group, was among the 700 girls who marched in the three-hour long, nationally televised parade.

The Redliners went to dance camp at Vincennes University last July, which is sponsored by the NDA (National Dance Alliance). While there, the NDA staff nominated her to audition for the All-American Dance Team, and she was selected.

That selection gave her the opportunity to participate in Macy's parade.

Purcell was also selected last year to the national team and went to Hawaii and performed in the halftime show of Hawaii-Washington State college football game.

This year, the Bloomfield senior was one of 700 girls in this group with only three from Indiana and was selected to be in the front row of the televised performance.

The group consisted of girls from 22 states and three countries.

"Performing in Macy's Parade was an amazing experience. The girls were great, the crowd was awesome, and the look on the kid's faces when we would hug them was priceless," Purcell explained to the Greene County Daily World. "That whole week gave me a glimpse of what a life in dance or musical theater -- which is my dream career -- in New York City would be like."

Purcell, who has plans to attend Indiana University at Bloomington and major in psychology and participate with the dance squad, said dancing is a difficult profession, but she likes the challenge and has special motivation.

"It's a very difficult field to be in, but I love it. I thank God, my Lord and Saviour, who has done so much for me, and without Him, none of this would have been possible. I wouldn't be the person I am today, and I wouldn't have experienced all that I have. My younger brother, Dustin, is my hero. He has autism, and he has opened my eyes to many things, taught me many valuable life lessons, and more."

Purcell is the 17-year-old daughter of Carlena and Tim Purcell of Bloomfield.

Her hobbies include singing, dancing and acting.

Among other school activities, Purcell is president of Strut 'N Fret (drama club); she Portrayed "Annie" in "Annie Get Your Gun" at Shawnee Theater (school play, November 2009) and "Little Red Riding Hood" in "Into the Woods" (November 2008); she a member of the Spanish Club, FCCLA; Christian Service Club; member of Bloomfield School's vocal groups Center Stage, Cardinal Song and Joyful Noise; National Honor Society; Booster Club; and attended Teen Student Leadership Academy.

She has a younger brother Dustin Purcell at home and two married half-sisters, Lisa Cain (Michigan) and Julie Evans (Bloomfield).

Her grandparents are Carlos and Darlene Arney of Elnora and Robert and Norma Purcell of Bloomfield.

Her mother said she was proud of the way her daughter represented her town and school.

"This was such an honor and privilege, and she represented Bloomfield well," Carlena Purcell said, "I know I'm Mom, but she's quite a gal."

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade presented by Macy's Department Store. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, tied with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.

Performers in the 2009 parade included: Jay Leno, Keke Palmer, the Big Apple Circus, Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Alan Cumming, Billy Currington, the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba, The Roots, Jimmy Fallon, Gloria Gaynor, Emily Hughes, Jane Krakowski, Katharine McPhee, the cast of Sesame Street, Mitchel Musso, the Pizzarelli Quartet, Jay Sean, Ziggy Marley and his daughter Judah, and Carly Simon.