TYLER, Texas — It's not every day one gets to perform with a musical icon and the self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas— unless you're the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes.
The Rangerettes are in the big apple preparing for to perform.
"It's super exciting, but there is always a hit of nervousness there-- just trying to meet our standard," said Elizabeth Shymkiw, Sophomore Kilgore Rangerette.
According to Miller Kerr, Kilgore College Rangerette Captain, the "standard" means always putting in hard work to get the best possible outcome.
"The standard of a Rangerette is to constantly be pushing ourselves to be better than what we are," she said. "No one can be perfect, but we definitely like to try our best to be."
They're hard work got them not one, but two performance spots at the Thanksgiving parade.
"We will be walking the parade as the Kilgore College Rangerettes," Shymkiw said. "This is the first time in quite a while that we will be able to perform in our uniforms."
She says every five years or so, the drill team gets to wear their traditional red, white, and blue.
"It's such an honor because we get to do one of our own dances," Shymkiw said.
And then the finale.
"We have been so lucky to have been invited to perform in the finale with Mariah Carey to her classic Christmas song, All I want for Christmas is You," Shymkiw said.
In preparation, the drill team said they're pulling out all the stops.
"We've been practicing a lot, putting in the extra time and extra hard work and focus to accomplish the level of perfection that we want," said Kerr.
The team was also able to practice alongside Carey's team.
"The other day, we had a practice with her backup dancers and choreographer, which was an amazing experience," said Kerr.
It hasn't been all seriousness in New York City. The team has been able to tour the city of dreams as well, including visiting the Empire State Building and the American Natural Museum of History.
"One of my favorite things that I've gotten to go do is just try some new food here," said Shymkiw. "I really like the atmosphere of New York in general, it's a lot different than Texas."
The team was able to meet Mariah Carey as well ahead of their performance.
"She was so kind, it was so incredible to get to meet her," Shymkiw said. "It was really just like an out of world experience."