Photo courtesy of Ursuline Academy.
The Jesuit Rangerettes Dance and Drill Team from Ursuline Academy of Dallas performed at the New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy.
The 40-girl team danced through five performances along the parade route. The route started at Castel Sant’Angelo and followed Via della Conciliazione down to St. Peter’s Square and the Piazza del Popolo. They’ve been rehearsing the dances back in November in preparation for the event.
The inaugural invitation for the team to perform in Rome came through Spirit of America, a company responsible for selecting dancers, cheerleaders and performers for events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
“The entire trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Spirit of America did an incredible job!” Linda Coffin, the team’s director, said.
The parade in St. Peter’s Square draws over 100,000 people annually for the Pope’s official New Year’s Day parade.
The team left the States on Dec. 26 and returned on Jan. 2. While there they explored the sights of Rome, including the Roman Ruins, the Vatican, museums and finished with New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Coliseum.
The Rangerettes’ last overseas venture was in 2012 for Dublin’s Global Football Experience, accompanying Dallas Jesuit football and participating in a parade.
