Being invited to perform on national television at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a huge honor and a big accomplishment. But the trip ain't cheap!  One East Texas teen could use help raising funds for the trip.

17-year-old Shelby Bettis is from Quitman, and she's been picked to be part of the Color Guard at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  What a cool opportunity!

Shelby says it's been a childhood dream of hers to be in the parade that she and her family have been watching on TV for years, and KLTV 7 says she "cried her eyes out" when she got the news telling her she'd been picked, and to pack her bags.

The Tyler Morning Telegraph says Shelby is the only high school student from Texas picked to perform with the color guard.  There are only 30 color guard members chosen from across the US that have this chance.

The Macy's Parade happens on Thanksgiving morning every year, and for my family it always includes the smell of turkey roasting in the oven, and it's on while we're trying not to burn the pumpkin pie.  It's more than just a parade.  It's part of the holiday atmosphere (and it's a good pre-game show for the Cowboys game that afternoon).

It's going to cost Shelby about $5,000 for the trip, and she's been working to raise the funds all summer.  She's about $1,500 short of her goal right now, according to KLTV.

To help Shelby out, you can donate at City National Bank in Quitman, or contact Shelby at shelbybettis36@gmail.com.

Congrats Shelby! Texas is proud of ya.

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