T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Union Local High School band member Elana Bugay plays her flute in preparation to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

BELMONT — Elana Bugay never expected to be marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during her second year as a Union Local band member, but she’s excited for the new experience nonetheless.

The 17-year-old senior started her school career at Union Local two years ago after attending online school. As a member of the marching band, she said she strives to gain new experiences, and marching in the annual New York extravaganza is a perfect fit.

Bugay was a part of a band at her old middle school but decided to join the marching band at Union Local when she started classes there. She said the band was her first exposure to the high school because band practices begin in the summer.

“The marching band was my first experience of UL when I came here last year. It starts before the school year, and it’s just incredible. I really could not ever say anything bad about any of these people. They are so sweet. They’ve always had my back, and I’ve always had theirs,” she said. “So it’s just a really supportive band. We’ve made it through a lot, and it’s … super important that it stays alive and people are encouraged to keep doing things in it.”

Bugay said she really enjoyed her first year in the marching band and wanted to keep participating. Some of her close friends were in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in the past and encouraged her to try out. Wanting a new challenge, she worked to improve her musical and marching skills to become a part of the parade.

High school students must pass an audition to be a part of the parade. Bugay did rounds of musical and marching auditions. She auditioned for the parade in March or April and learned in late April that she was accepted to the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.

“I’ve never been to New York, so I’m excited for that,” Bugay said. “I’m excited to meet new people, like other people from all across the country and marching bands – just excited for the new experience and to learn how other techniques that they use, and everything about it’s exciting, honestly.”

Bugay will arrive in New York Saturday to check in to her hotel and meet her four roommates from other high schools who will be marching in the parade as well. Bugay will tour New York on Sunday with her roommates. Throughout the week, Bugay will participate in eight-hour rehearsals. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, they will wake up early in the morning and rehearse one last time. Then, after they visit the Hard Rock Café, they will march in the parade. They will enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner that night.

Bugay is playing the flute in the parade.

She will be in a block with other high school band members from across the country. Each section is a part of the Macy’s Great American Marching, but it is separated in instrumental sections. Bugay is marching with the high woodwinds.

UL Band Director Thomas Swisher said he is excited for Bugay to have the experience.

“Doing this is just a great experience, to be able to go to a big city like that,” he said. “And it’s just a great experience, great opportunity. We’re glad to provide it for students.”

Bugay will be traveling alone without her parents and taking on this trip by herself.

“I was a little nervous at first, but now I’m just super excited to meet the new people and get to experience another marching band,” she said.

Bugay said she thinks it’s important to encourage students in smaller communities, such as her hometown of St. Clairsville with a population of just over 5,000, to do big things like take part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“We might be from small places, but we can still do pretty awesome things,” she said. “And I think that’s important to spread. A lot of people are scared to get involved. And so I really think it helps spread the message to get out there, try new things.”

Bugay said she never would have thought she would be marching in the New York parade this year because it’s only her second year in the UL marching band, but she thinks it’s exciting and that her involvement is a great message to spread to others.

Bugay loves music and said being able to express herself through music in the band is an amazing getaway for her. She believes joining the band is a great way to make friends and is a great experience overall that helps keep her active and having fun.

She said people shouldn’t be afraid to try new things because, even if it’s scary, they will learn from it – and usually the experience is going to be awesome.

Swisher said he believes it’s truly impressive to represent a small town band on an international scale.

“It’s a huge international event, just an amazing day parade,” he said.

The Union Local Band Boosters organization pays for 100% of the trip to New York, but Swisher is worried the band might not be able to send students to the parade in the future because of the cost. Swisher said this is a great opportunity for students, and it is appreciated if people help the boosters by making donations. He said he wants to make sure students in the future are encouraged to do it and feel like they can.

“It’s kind of like a huge accomplishment for me. It’s kind of a big thing, and I just hope that people see that it’s OK to try these things, and it’s OK to really get out there and bring some pride into our marching band, like we have some great kids here,” Bugay said. “I really want that pride to be here in our band, because I couldn’t have done it without these people and my director.”

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be televised from 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 28 on NBC and Peacock. An encore presentation begins at 2 p.m. that day.