When fifth-grader Lyric Weathers was trying to decide on a theme, and she thought about kids around the world and how they can all grow up to do anything.
With that in mind, Lyric put together a design that was good enough to be the grand prize winner in the 2025 Float Design Contest sponsored by the Skillman Foundation and The Parade Company ahead of America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
“I was thinking about the kids around the world,” Lyric said. “We’re like flower seeds. Flowers grow, and kids grow, and we can be anything we want to be.”
Weathers’ float design, titled “Cultures are Around the World,” was chosen from hundreds of submissions, then handed off to the Parade Company artists to build into a full-scale float that will make its way down Woodward Ave. during the 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White with Lyric and her family aboard her creative endeavor brought to life.
Nicole Key, the art teacher at Schulze Academy of Technology & Arts, called Lyric an “amazing” student and artist.
“She’s a diligent worker at the top of her art class,” Key said. “She brings great creativity. We are missing that (in the world) a little bit.”
Lyric used that creativity to create her “Cultures are Around the World” illustration, which Parade Company artists spent countless hours turning into a full-size float, building it from scratch using wood, wire, paint and passion to ensure the finished product represented the beautiful artwork.
The float was unveiled for the first time in public to the artist, family members, school faculty and special guests including five additional Detroit students recognized as Honorable Mention winners. The honorable mention winners’ designs are featured on the skirt of the float to recognize their amazing work.
The partnership between The Skillman Foundation and the Parade Company encouraged students grades 4-8 in any Detroit public or charter school to illustrate this year’s contest theme of “My Dream for the World” in a creative and meaningful way.
“What makes this tradition special is the way it highlights the voices and visions of our young people,” said Sarida Scott, vice president of program at The Skillman Foundation. “Their ideas and artistry remind us that the future isn’t something distant, it’s being shaped right now by their creativity and determination.”
Tony Michaels, president and CEO of The Parade Company, said he loves to see the wonder on peoples’ faces when these floats are unveiled.
“There is nothing more amazing than seeing the reactions of everyone in attendance when we took the wraps off this beautiful float for the first time,” Michaels said. “This is an event that every year inspires and reminds all of us of the power of creativity and how it makes the world a better place and we try and live that every day at the Parade Company.”
Honorable Mention Winners
- Austin Callahan, 5th grade, University Prep Art & Design Elementary School; teacher: Rachel Theis; design title: “A Dream for the World”
- Axel Coyte, 5th grade, Charles H. Wright Academy; teacher: Rashaun Rucker; design title: “Be Happy”
- Robyn McKee, 5th grade, University Prep Art & Design Elementary School; teacher: Rachel Theis; design title: “Always be Community”
- Malia Vang, 8th grade; Fisher Magnet Upper Academy; teacher: John Baker; design title: “My Dream for the World”
- Ava Wyatt, 6th grade, Spain Elementary-Middl School; teacher: Amanda Coffee; design title: “Don’t Judge People”
America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White takes place Thursday and will feature amazing floats, larger-than-life balloons, celebrities, famous clowns and Big Heads, marching bands and more. Grand marshals for this year’s parade, for which the theme is “Thanksgiving is Better in Detroit!” are former Mayor Mike Duggan and retired WDIV anchor Devin Scillian. The parade is broadcast live on WDIV Local 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. Parade shows can also be found on radio stations 760 WJR and Audacy WOMC 104.3.
