Hickory Dickory Dock, an 8-year-old Clarkston resident made her way around the Detroit block.
Karissa Gawronski, a third grader at Cedar Crest Academy, entered her float design in the annual Skillman Foundation contest to design a float and a balloon for America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit.
Karissa, along with 20 other contestants, received an Honorable Mention for her Hickory Dickory Dock float.
‘I like mice a lot,? said Karissa about her design. ‘And then I thought of Hickory Dickory Dock, because I learned it on the piano.?
Karissa used the family cat, Neo, to focus on the details of cats. Once complete, her parents mailed in the design to the Parade Company along with the entry form.
‘The Parade Company did a great job in honoring all of the award winners,? said Michael Gawronski, Karissa’s father.
Teachers and parents were invited to a press conference in Detroit where the winning floats and balloons were unveiled.
Karissa’s mother Karey and father attended the press conference with Anita Siciliano, Lower School Director at Cedar Crest Academy.
‘We are thrilled for Karissa,? said Michael. ‘The thing that was amusing to us was that the whole time she was working on her design, she was talking about how she was going to win.?
The girl had a feeling, and it came true. Karissa worked hard on her idea and was awarded accordingly.
The Thanksgiving Day Parade was a televised event, and Karissa was surprised to see her face on the big screen.
Karissa already has ideas for next year’s float entry.