Written by Kayla Parameswaran

Performing at an arena as famous as the Barclays Center might seem like an impossible dream for many high school students, but for sophomore Haley Millowitz ‘27 and junior Alice Rikkers ‘26, along with their fellow Wildscats, it became a thrilling reality. Representing Rye Country Day School by singing the national anthem, Millowitz and Rikkers reflected on the preparation, challenges, and memorable moments of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Preparing for the performance started months in advance. “We all had to make sure that we knew our parts,” Rikkers explained. “As a group, I feel like we’ve known the song in our respective parts since the beginning of the year.” The Wildscats worked on the song both individually and as a team, running through it multiple times during rehearsals leading up to the big day. Additionally, the group got to practice singing the national anthem at the homecoming volleyball game as a “nice little quote unquote dress rehearsal; just some good practice to do it in front of an audience,” Millowitz states. 

The opportunity to perform at the Barclays Center was not new for the Wildscats. “This is the third year that they’re doing it,” Millowitz shared. While the event was not for an NBA game but rather college basketball, it was still an exciting chance to showcase their talents on a major stage. 

For Millowitz, the most memorable moment was not just the performance, but a fun interaction with the crowd. “They gave us three hats each, and during one of the timeouts, we got to go onto the court and fling them to the fans,” she recalled. 

Like any performer, Millowitz and Rikkers admitted to feeling some nervousness, but they also know how to manage that stress. “Performing in front of people is always a little bit nerve-racking, but when you do this sort of stuff, you have to be okay with that,” Rikkers said. What helped both Rikkers and Millowitz was knowing the crowd did not consist of familiar faces as opposed to performing at school. 

One key piece of advice they offered to others feeling stage fright or facing a similar situation is to lean on the support of friends. “Just being able to talk it out with your friends who are in the same situation as you helps,” Millowitz noted. Similarly, Rikkers highlighted how the group’s bond grew stronger through their shared efforts, saying, “We’re all good friends because we’ve gone through a lot of preparation and stuff together, so it helps to go to them if anyone is nervous.” Deep breaths, teamwork, and the comfort of friends became their keys to success.

Representing RCDS at such a venue as the Barclays Center was a proud moment for the Wildscats. “It was just awesome even getting the opportunity to go and sing there,” Millowitz said. “It was really special to be able to represent the school, and having Mr. Q come and watch us. It was so nice.”

For Millowitz and Rikkers, the experience did not necessarily change their view of the performing arts, but it brought a new perspective to them on how special it is to have unique opportunities like this. “Most people aren’t given the same opportunity that we were, and it was really cool,” Rikkers added. The joy and excitement of the event were shared by all the Wildscats, creating a memory they’ll treasure for years.