By Catelyn Di Leva
Opinion Editor
Senior Madi Giese paraded her way through riding a float for the yearly Tournament of Roses in the very beginning of the new year.
The American Heart Association reached out to Giese and asked her to participate in creating a float, “Keep the Bear Alive”, which promotes heart health and safety for the Rose Bowl Parade, an annual parade of floats in celebration of the new year, on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, CA. Although this was Giese’s first time participating in the parade, she enjoyed her experience.
Photos: Costa senior Madi Giese paraded in The Tournament of Roses
“I was flattered to be asked by the American Heart Association, it was a fantastic opportunity I won’t forget.” Giese said. “It is important to promote something so important like heart health, but it is really cool to do it through making a float.”
Giese was on the “Keep the Bear Alive” float which is basically for “keeping the heart beating” and promoting heart health and awareness. The American Heart Association float was one amongst many others. Giese was with hundreds of other people on the American Heart Association float. Giese was amongst students from other schools as well as many other volunteers.
“I really enjoyed meeting the other high school students from other schools and volunteers,” Giese said. “It was exciting to meet so many new people.”
Link: Find the complete lineup of the 2017 Rosebowl Parade.
The “Keep the Bear Alive” float was one amongst, approximately 50, other floats and was showcased in front of one million people in the audience. Other participators in the parade were AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Shriners Hospitals for Children and other floats.
“My absolute favorite part of the entire parade was riding on the float and seeing how happy the people in the crowd were,” Giese said. “It was extremely rewarding to see everyone happy.”
Although the process was long and hard, it was one of the most rewarding things Giese has ever done, according to Giese. Giese also met many new people, both students and residents, who she became close with.
Link: Learn more information about the 2017 Rosebowl Parade.
“I loved getting to know everybody I was with,” Giese said. “It was interesting to see why they were there and who they were.”
Giese hopes to participate with the American Heart Association in her future years, as it was extremely rewarding to be with them on this parade, according to Giese. She would also be honored to work with any organization that participates in the parade.
“My favorite thing was seeing how happy everyone in the audience was with the floats,” Giese said. “If I can do that again it would be another great experience, because it’s amazing to see so many people that happy.”
Although Giese has just one year of parading under her belt, she hopes to participate in the Rose Parade again. According to Giese, she would definitely take the opportunity to work with this organization again.
“I would love to participate in the parade again,” Giese said. “It was so rewarding and such a fun experience, I would be so honored to ever be chosen again to be on a float.”
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