MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — They call the Rose Bowl the “granddaddy of them all” because it’s the oldest college football bowl game dating back to 1902.
Mount Vernon High School teacher Ramon Rivera calls it “the opportunity of a lifetime.”
"I'm so excited to represent the state of Washington," Rivera said.
Rivera is the band director and mariachi teacher at the high school and was selected from hundreds of band directors across the country to march in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day.
Rivera was featured on KING 5 last spring for his innovative approach to teaching social justice on campus. This week Rivera has been in California rehearsing with other local band directors from across America and Mexico. A custom-designed animated float will lead the “marching band of band directors” in a tribute to educators.
"It's a five-mile parade route, but I think I can do it," he said, jokingly.
The Grand Marshall is Reading Rainbow Host LaVar Burton. Rivera says he brought some books from Washington state to hand-deliver to the TV icon.
“He was the guy I watched as a kid and made reading so cool and it’s amazing to march with him!” Rivera said.
Rivera says he’s proud to represent teachers from Mount Vernon and across Washington state. Rivera isn’t just the mariachi director for more than 200 students, he is also a Golden Apple and Washington State Jefferson Award Winner with a National CMA Foundation Excellence honor to his name.
Rivera hopes you’ll tune in to see him playing his trumpet along the five-mile parade route Saturday at 8 a.m. on KING 5.