Ridgewood Teen, Son Of Immigrants, Serenades July 4 Parade For Third Time

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Parade-lovers flock to Ridgewood each July 4 to enjoy the century-old celebration, and for the past three years, they've been treated to an extra special performance. Ridgewood High School student Praket Nigam, the son of immigrants, has performed the National Anthem each year.

The rising senior "has been consistently showcasing his abilities and contributing to the spirit of cultural integration, even amidst the challenging times that we all face," said his mom, Nimisha, this week.

"It is considered one of the finest parades in Bergen County, and the honor of performing the National Anthem holds special significance," she added. "He has had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Indian Cultural Society of Rockland's August 15th India Independence Day parade event for the past two years, a testament to his talent and commitment to cultural harmony."

On Tuesday, Jack Egan, the parade MC, gave Praket an honor for his performance.

Praket has won other awards, including being chosen as the best male Bollywood singer in the Tri-State area. He was part of the Maroon Men and chamber choir of Ridgewood High School, "contributing to the musical tapestry of our community," noted his mom.

Vocal Cords And Power Cords

He's also part of the Ridgewood High School Applied Engineering Club's FireGone team, which has won multiple awards, including second place in the Thomas Edison Pitch contest in 2022 and third prize at the NJSTEAM Tank event.

He also won a NJ Governors Youth in Action award for volunteer initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nimisha noted that Praket's activities show what the next generation is capable of, "showcas[ing] the potential within our youth to be leaders and ambassadors."

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