Rebecca Cartelli, the drum major from San Benito High School, is one of more than 650 high school cheerleaders, dancers, and drum majors from across the United States who will perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade on Jan. 1, 2016.

The individuals invited to perform in the parade qualified for the trip after being selected as an All-American at one of the summer camps hosted by the United Spirit Association (USA), a Varsity Spirit brand.

All-Americans are selected to try out based on superior cheerleading, dancing, or band leadership skills across the country. Only the top 7-10 percent of the more than 325,000 students who attend one of the 5,000 brands’ summer camp sessions earn the chance to march in the holiday spectacular.

Cartelli will be among parade performers from all over the world. Cheerleaders, dancers, marching bands, acrobats and more will make up the 8,500 performers representing 20 countries worldwide in the 2016 parade.

Established as one of London’s biggest events, the parade is seen by nearly 600 million people around the world. In addition to performing in the parade, All-Americans will celebrate the holidays European style with the chance to tour some of London’s most historic sites during their seven-day stay.

“Being selected to perform in this parade is quite an honor because I would not only be representing my school and community but the United States as well on the international level. I am very excited to have been selected to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Cartelli said.

“This is the 29th year we’ve been able to bring these talented cheerleaders [and drum majors] to London, where they can showcase their skills to a very enthusiastic international audience, and explore the rich cultural heritage of this great city,” says Mike Fultz, the International Event Coordinator for Varsity Spirit.

For information on how you can help offset expenses for Cartelli's trip to London, visit www.gofundme.com/DMCartelli