A fifth grader from Detroit is about to see her dream come to life in a way she never imagined. Lyric Weathers, a student at Schulze Academy for Technology & Arts, won the grand prize in The Skillman Foundation’s 34th Float Design Contest, and her design, titled “Cultures are Around the World,” will be featured as a stunning new float in the 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White on Nov. 27. Lyric’s float, created from her drawing, will make its debut in front of thousands of parade-goers and millions of viewers across the nation.
The contest, which invited students from grades 4-8 in Detroit public and charter schools, asked young artists to interpret the theme “My Dream for the World.” Lyric’s design was chosen from hundreds of submissions, selected for its vibrant portrayal of cultural unity and global community. She is one of many Detroit students whose creativity was celebrated in a special unveiling event at the Parade Company, where the float was revealed to an audience of students, educators, and family members.
Speaking at the unveiling, Sarida Scott, vice president of programs at The Skillman Foundation, emphasized the importance of fostering creativity in youth, noting that “What makes this tradition special is the way it highlights the voices and visions of our young people. Their ideas and artistry remind us that the future isn’t something distant, it’s being shaped right now by their creativity and determination.” The collaboration between The Skillman Foundation and the Parade Company aims to give young people a platform to showcase their ideas, bringing their dreams to life in a spectacular way.
Tony Michaels, the President and CEO of the Parade Company, shared the excitement of seeing Lyric’s design come to fruition. “There is nothing more amazing than seeing the reactions of everyone in attendance when we took the wraps off this beautiful float for the first time,” he said. “This is an event that every year inspires and reminds all of us of the power of creativity and how it makes the world a better place.”
For Lyric, this achievement is a culmination of hard work and imagination. Her concept, “Cultures are Around the World,” was transformed from a drawing into a towering, full-scale float, created by Parade Company artists who worked tirelessly to capture the spirit of her vision. The float, built with wood, wire, and paint, will be a vibrant symbol of global unity, featuring bold colors, intricate patterns, and a sense of movement meant to represent the diverse cultures that make up the world.
As the grand prize winner, Lyric will ride aboard her float in the upcoming parade, a moment that will undoubtedly be a highlight in her young life. She will be joined by her family and educators, all of whom have supported her throughout the creative process. But she is not alone in her recognition. Five other Detroit students were also honored for their outstanding contributions to the contest, earning Honorable Mention awards for their designs. These students’ work will be featured on the skirt of Lyric’s float, paying tribute to their artistic talents and adding even more meaning to the final piece.
The Honorable Mention winners are Austin Callahan from University Prep Art & Design Elementary School, Axel Coyte from Charles H. Wright Academy, Robyn McKee from University Prep Art & Design Elementary, Malia Vang from Fisher Magnet Upper Academy, and Ava Wyatt from Spain Elementary-Middle School. Their designs, like Lyric’s, embody the same spirit of creativity and community that the contest celebrates.
This year’s float design contest was part of an ongoing effort by The Skillman Foundation and the Parade Company to engage Detroit’s youth in artistic expression, while also providing them with an opportunity to contribute to a beloved city tradition. The contest is a reminder that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are shaping the world around them right now through their creativity, vision, and passion.
The 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade will take place on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to watch the colorful spectacle unfold. This year’s parade promises to be a showstopper, with Lyric’s float adding to a lineup that includes larger-than-life balloons, marching bands, celebrity appearances, and much more. The parade, voted the #1 holiday parade by USA TODAY, will be broadcast live on WDIV Local 4, with coverage extending to millions of viewers in 185 major U.S. cities.
For Lyric and the other students whose designs were showcased, the event is a powerful reminder that their voices are heard, their ideas matter, and their creativity can inspire an entire community. Whether they’re riding the float, cheering from the sidelines, or watching the broadcast at home, the students involved in this year’s contest will take pride in knowing they’ve made a lasting contribution to one of Detroit’s most cherished traditions.
As Tony Michaels put it, “We try and live every day at the Parade Company with the belief that creativity has the power to make the world a better place.” For Lyric, her creativity will shine brightly on November 27, a moment that will no doubt leave an indelible mark on her and on Detroit’s holiday celebrations for years to come.
