The Legacies performed at the 40th London New Years Day Parade on Thursday, Jan. 1. Their trip in England lasted from Dec. 27–Jan. 3.

“My initial reaction that we were going to London was pure shock,” junior Aspen Dzubinski said. “I couldn’t believe that we had this amazing opportunity. My friends and I immediately started planning activities and outfits.”

Spirit of America, a U.S. based production company, works heavily with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and extended an invitation to the Legacies last fall. The district had to approve the trip before the team could accept the offer.

“We are thankful to LISD, Mr. Little, and our fine arts director for approving the international trip, as well as trusting our leaders and organization as a whole,” Legacies director Holly Lyons said. 

Extracurricular groups like the Legacies are permitted to take an out-of-state trip every other year.

“We are very excited and honored to be the first to represent LISD overseas after 30 years,” Lyons said.

Since the school opened, the Legacies have marched and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The LNYD parade includes marching bands, dance and cheer teams, and different ensembles, both from overseas and England.

“I feel so lucky that I get to go on this trip my senior year with my best friends and this amazing team,” senior Ellie Hodges said. “I’m most excited about performing in the parade and exploring all the wonderful places in London.”

In London, the team visited Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye, and Windsor Castle, among other sites. 

“The most exciting thing about this trip is being able to travel internationally with my teammates while representing our community,” Dzubinski said. “I am excited for all the sightseeing and getting to immerse ourselves in the London culture. I think that going on a trip with your best friends is a great way to see a new country.”