By: Jaylynne Yang
My name is Jaylynne Yang, and I’m a high school student who participated in the parade at Washington DC with the organization CYOC. First off, I had a very fun time participating in the march with other CYOC members. The staff were very caring and prepared, as they made sure we were hydrated and provided water, food, and a good spirit. It was also very organized and lively, and this experience was very fun because of the hard work that the parents put in. Many thanks to the adults and parents that kept everything organized, sprayed water on everyone to cool us down, and carried food, water, and other materials.
As for the march, I think we were able to expose the organization to many people who attended the parade and we were able to show who we are. We worked hard to make the march successful and rehearsed many times. Even with a wide range of ages that participated in the march, it was something that everyone could enjoy. Next, the student leaders of the club were very enthusiastic and had great leadership, which was the reason that everyone could follow the directions well and stay organized. It was also a great social experience as you get to meet and talk to many other members of the club. During the parade, I was able to enjoy the amazing performances of many other groups and organizations. Everyone spaced each other around the huge American flag and held onto it as we marched down the road. We smiled and waved flags at the people on the sides. The streets were packed with people and we got a great view of the monuments and buildings in Washington DC. I also got in a lot of exercise and although it was tiring, it was really exciting and worth it.
I think next year we can do even better by maybe adding a speaker or microphone to those who are giving directions or need to shout commands during the march so that people can hear them better. Additionally, it would be amazing if more people could sign up and bring their families to help out as it is a great bonding experience as well.
There were also cameras filming us and after it was over, I saw myself on the TV which was also really exciting. I definitely learned a lot from this experience and am looking forward to participating in more activities within this organization.
华府青年 CYOC 