Rachel Theis was amazed whenever Harmony Henry would bring her America’s Thanksgiving Parade float project into the classroom to let the first-year art teacher take a look.
Apparently Theis, the K-5 art teacher at University Prep Art & Design Elementary School in Detroit, had every reason to be. Harmony, a fifth-grader at the school, was named the grand-prize winner in the 33rd annual Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest.
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 “Better Together” in a creative and meaningful way.
Harmony’s design, titled “Make Your Own Story,” topped the hundreds of entries received from middle school students around the city. The announcement was made Wednesday by The Parade Company and the Skillman Foundation.
“She worked on it entirely at home,” said Theis, a Wayne State University graduate in her first year of teaching. “She’d bring it in and I’d have a few suggestions. When she brought the final project in and showed it to me, I was amazed.”
Henry’s inspiring “Make Your Own Story,” illustration, built into a life-size float by Parade Company artists, will debut in America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White. Five additional students were Honorable Mention winners, and their designs will appear on the float as it makes its way down Woodward Avenue on Thanksgiving morning.
“We focus on the genius of young people, and we focus on the promise of public schools,” said Skillman president/CEO Angelique Power, who pointed out that the foundation contributes some $20 million in the city of Detroit. ““Tapping into the unique perspectives of young people helps us to envision how communities can come together for the greater good.
“We’re inspired by and proud of all the students who beautifully demonstrated the spirit behind the ‘Better Together’ theme,” she added.
Honorable mention winners in the 2024 Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest included:
- Kaiden Green, “Vision of Detroit Together,” sixth grade, University Prep Math & Science Middle School
- Alexander Holloway, “Holding Detroit Up,” fourthgrade, Edmonson Montessori
- Miguel Mayes, “Love Your Friends,” fourth grade, University Prep Art & Design Elementary School
- Neidaly Pacheco, “W.B.T. (We Are Better Together)” fifth grade, Gardner Elementary School
- Korey Ray, “We Are Better Together,” fifth grade, Madison-Carver Academy
“Working with a wonderful partner such as The Skillman Foundation and these talented students to create a unique float is so special,” said Tony Michaels, President and CEO of the Parade Company. “Young people truly are our future and seeing their creativity on display on Woodward on Thanksgiving morning is a wonderful experience.”
Harmony’s winning illustration centered on friendship and hope depicting various young people coming together but creating their own stories. A backdrop of the earth, a rainbow and two large hands coming together gave Parade Company artists the perfect canvas to create an inspiring float.
Voted as America’s Number One Holiday Parade by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the 98th America’s Thanksgiving Parade is set for broadcast on WDIV Local 4 from 10 a.m. to noon and nationally to millions of viewers across 185 major cities in the U.S.
