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The Skillman Foundation and Parade Company unveil float designed by Detroit student winner of float design contest
Float built from a fifth-grade student’s winning illustration “Make Your Own Story,” will debut in America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White.
DETROIT (14 November 2024) – The Skillman Foundation and Parade Company today announced Harmony Henry, fifth-grade student at University Prep Art & Design Elementary in Detroit, has won the grand-prize in the 33rd annual Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest.
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. Images are available here.
“Tapping into the unique perspectives of young people helps us to envision how communities can come together for the greater good,” said Angelique Power, President and CEO, The Skillman Foundation. “We’re inspired by and proud of all the students who beautifully demonstrated the spirit behind the ‘Better Together’ theme.”
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.
“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.”
2024 Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest Honorable Mention Winners
- Kaiden Green, “Vision of Detroit Together,” sixth grade, University Prep Math & Science Middle School
- Alexander Holloway, “Holding Detroit Up,” fourth grade, 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
Harmony Henry’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. As the grand prize winner, Henry and a family member will ride on the float parade on Thanksgiving, in addition to receiving accommodations at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on the eve of the Parade and a free tour of The Parade Company followed by a pizza party for up to 10 guests.
Voted as America’s Number One Holiday Parade by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the 98th America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White will continue to awe generations of parade-goers on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit with amazing floats, larger than life balloons towering the skyline, celebrities, famous clowns and Big Heads, marching bands and so much more. This year’s parade theme is “Miles of Smiles!” The parade is broadcast live on WDIV Local 4 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and nationally to millions of viewers across 185 major cities in the U.S.
The Skillman Foundation
The Skillman Foundation is a grantmaking organization established in 1960 by Rose Skillman. We have granted out more than $730 million and have served as a vocal advocate to strengthen K-12 education, afterschool programming, child-centered neighborhoods, youth and community leadership, and racial equity and justice.
We are in the process of developing a new strategic framework, co-designed with Detroit youth and their champions.