Ezekiel Brooks, a self-taught dancer and senior at Camden County High School, realized a deeply held ambition amidst the spectacle of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
The Georgia teenager from Camden County was on 34th Street, living out a dream he’d kept relatively quiet in his small hometown, his face alight with a joyful smile and his body with leaps of excitement.
“I’ve been dancing about 12 years,” Brooks told First Coast News. “My mom pulled me out of studio when I was really young, and ever since then, I’ve never stopped dancing.”
Brooks dedicated his free time after long hours at Chick-fil-A during the week and on weekends to perfecting his dancing. He watched TV dance shows, studied YouTube tutorials, and practiced whenever he had a spare moment.
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“I’d watch shows like Dance Moms and try to recreate the dances,” Brooks said. “Go on YouTube like, ‘How do I do this?’ And I’d learn it.”
Dancing to New York City was beyond his imagination.
“It’s something I always wanted since freshman year, and after being in the school marching band, my parents were finally like, ‘Okay, you can audition for the team,’” Brooks said.
In January, after a long night of recording an audition tape, the teen was exhausted and full of self-doubt. To his surprise, he later received the acceptance email.
“It was 9 at night. I didn’t like my video, so I just got up and improvised. I submitted it thinking, ‘That was so bad’ — and then I got the email saying I made it,” he said.
Out of 300 aspiring dancers, only 27 made the final cut. For him and his family, this selection kicked off an extraordinary, action-packed Thanksgiving week.
“We looked out the window and there was New York City. It didn’t feel real,” he said.
Brooks felt the weight of the support from his family, school, and community, recognizing the trip was about more than just himself. He emphasized that it “really did take a village,” noting that Chick-fil-A paid for his flight and the Board of Education sponsored his trip.
Even with cold toes and early wake-up calls, the moment Brooks danced along the parade route marked a significant turning point for him.
His performance was more than a personal achievement; it’s a powerful message that passion and persistence create possibilities.
Brooks understands the immense importance of this moment for children in Camden County, Georgia, across the First Coast, and nationwide—especially for those who have never seen someone who resembles them featured on a national broadcast or a major parade float.
This performance is just one step in his journey, as Brooks has many dreams yet to fulfill. He views this as only the beginning and plans to pursue a career as a lawyer, journalist, and/or dancer.
Brooks also shared some advice for other young dancers hoping to enter the field, saying, “Just keep going. You’re not in that room on accident — you’re there for a reason,” he said.
In early December, Brooks is scheduled to perform in the Camden County High School’s “Nutcracker.” Details regarding performance times and ticket purchases are available on the school’s official website.
