Lakewood Ranch students land spots in 100th Macy's parade

Ten Lakewood Ranch cheerleaders and dancers will perform in the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26 in New York City.

The students were selected by Spirit of America Productions, the company that chooses roughly 600 performers nationwide each year for the parade's cheer and dance segments. Seven are cheerleaders at Lakewood Ranch High School: Jocelyn Gomez, Milana Johnson, Sienna Lee, Isabella Nessetti, Alexandra Bransfield, Rebecca Creel and Addison Creel. Two Lakewood Ranch High dancers, Angelina Welp and Addi Hickman, also made the cut, along with Manatee School for the Arts student Sarah Sandwell, who lives in Lakewood Ranch.

A two-year push to reach the parade

The selection caps a two-year effort, first reported by Your Observer. In 2025, Lakewood Ranch High cheer coach Kimberly Litwiler signed up her entire squad, and the team was accepted. The school could not finance the trip.

When the students re-auditioned for the 2026-27 season, Jump Dance Company of Lakewood Ranch stepped in. The studio funded audition videos, opened its space at 11005 Passage Drive for rehearsals and submitted the tapes to Spirit of America. The school again could not cover costs.

Families raise $4,000 per performer

That leaves each performer responsible for raising $4,000, covering the event package and flights.

Doris Ramirez Nessetti, mother of cheerleader Isabella Nessetti, took over organizing the fundraising push. She said the group has hosted events, including offering hair tinsel at Music on Main, and launched a GoFundMe campaign. Local sponsors backing the effort include Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, AllCare Medical Centers and Arsenault Dermatology.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the girls were lucky enough to get picked and be qualified," Ramirez Nessetti said. "Because of their discipline and their determination, they got it."

The $4,000 price tag has forced families to make trade-offs. Michelle Bransfield, mother of junior Alexandra Bransfield, said the family cut back on dining out and vacations while working extra hours. They will skip their usual Thanksgiving visit to extended family so Alexandra can perform.

For Sienna Lee's family, the financial stretch comes during an already difficult year. Her mother, Mindy Lee, said the family's youngest son, Jude, underwent unexpected open-heart surgery. She said the family is determined to send Sienna to New York anyway.

Broadway, the Rockettes and a record parade

Gomez, a sophomore who has spent 11 years on dance teams, said performing in the parade she grew up watching feels surreal. Beyond the parade, the group plans to see a Broadway show, attend the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes and visit the Statue of Liberty.

The centennial parade will feature a record 100 inflatables and air on NBC at 8:30 a.m. ET, according to amNewYork. The parade, first held in 1924, draws about 3 million spectators in person and roughly 35 million television viewers.

Residents who want to help can donate through the group's GoFundMe page or contact the families through Jump Dance Company, owned by Kerry Mynatt.

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