Bright lights, a big city and even a national television appearance await one Morgan Academy cheerleader.

Morgan senior Jamie Horton was one of more than 700 cheerleaders who will travel to New York City to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The group of cheerleaders includes captains, co-captains and officers who are seniors in high school.

“I’ve seen New York on television before, but I’ve never actually been,” Horton said. “I think it is going to be awesome.”

The trip will not only be Horton’s first time in New York City but also her first time on an airplane. She said the only other lengthy trip she has taken was to see relatives in Wisconsin.

“It hasn’t really hit me that I’m going to New York yet,” she said. “I’m excited now, but I’m sure I’ll feel even more excited once we get on the plane. I’ll probably just watch the dance over and over on the plane to get ready.”

Horton won’t be traveling to the Big Apple alone. Her parents will also be making the trip. She said her trip will mostly consist of practicing for the dance routine, but Horton also has plans to do some sight seeing with her family, including a trip to the Statue of Liberty. Though, one of the places may not be on most people’s trip itinerary.

“I actually really want to go to the store featured on Cake Boss,” she said. “I like their show on TV, so I’d like to go inside and see what it’s like in person.”

After nearly a week of rehearsing in New York City, Horton will join her cheerleading peers in the nationally televised parade.

“I might look around and take in the sights a little while marching, but I’m going to try to stay focused,” she said.

Horton began cheering in seventh grade. She said the parade appearance is the one of the more exciting things she has done as a cheerleader. She also performed at an Auburn game earlier this year with the rest of Morgan’s cheerleading squad.