An Oak Harbor High School cheerleader represented Whidbey Island at a Disney World holiday parade last week.

Senior Melany Alanis was selected to join an elite group of about 500 elementary, middle and high school All American dancers and cheerleaders to march and perform in the 2021 Thanksgiving Tour at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Alanis explained that she got into competitive cheerleading when she was in seventh grade. She has been a cheerleader at Oak Harbor High School since she came to the district her sophomore year.

During a cheer camp at the high school this summer, she was nominated by a National Cheerleaders Association staff member to try out for the Varsity Spirit All-American contingent participating in the Disney Thanksgiving parade and was accepted.

“It was a really great experience,” she said. “It was my very first year being an All American, so it was something different to me. And I think honestly, it’s a moment I’d forever cherish.”

On Nov. 2, the cheerleader and her mom traveled to Florida. Alanis met and rehearsed with the other All American cheerleaders from across the country and enjoyed the rides and attractions at the park. On Thanksgiving day, she marched in the parade.

Alanis said she was honored by the opportunity and loved socializing with the other performers from all over the U.S.