Discover Fox

Mallorie Paige Gurel and Natalia Redziniak have plenty of differences, from their majors to their hometowns, but it’s their common experience that will bond them for life.

Gurel and Redziniak got to wrap up their college years with something larger than life— performing with the Temple University Diamond Band at the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Gurel originally came to Fox with the intention of studying supply chain management but was quickly enticed by the world of risk management and insurance thanks to her first class with professorRob Drennan.

“He really pushes you to go the extra mile and gives you the resources to get there,” Gurel said.

For Redziniak, however, her path was clear from the jump. She’d known since high school that she loved math and especially enjoyed the “puzzle pieces aspect of accounting,” so it was a no-brainer to major in accounting once she got to Temple.

As far as choosing to double major in German, that all comes down to a random choice she made all the way back in middle school when picking what language to study.

Her interest in German and Germany grew over the years, in part because of her family’s Polish heritage. When she came to Temple, her dual-enrollment and study abroad credits got her within three classes of completing a major. So, she figured why not?

Gurel and Redziniak are both first-generation college students, a fact they are proud to share and delighted to find they have in common. They each came to Temple, with one major draw being theirshared intent to be a part of the Diamond Marching Band.

Gurel, a talented baton twirler, was ready to be front and center. She noted that the previous Diamond Band twirler was incredibly talented, so she was excited to take the position and follow in those footsteps.

Redziniak’s passion for playing the clarinet factored heavily into her choice to attend Temple University, along with her family connections (her cousin went to Temple as well!) and being accepted to the Honors program.

In her final two years of her college and Diamond Band career, she was uniform co-chair, putting her in charge of dispersing uniforms and other gear. It gave her a behind-the-scenes look at what keeps the band moving.

For both women, the stars aligned in their final year—their last chance to march with the Diamond Band happened to be the most extraordinary one.

Performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the biggest achievements a band can aspire to, they said. Both Gurel and Redziniak noted how lucky they felt that the timing of their positions in the band lined up with the parade.

The women remember finding out that they’d get the opportunity to march in the parade vividly. Athletic band director and Temple professor Matthew Brunner surprised them all with the announcement at their 2024 friends and family preview at the end of the summer.

Redziniak had heard rumors that he had submitted the band for consideration but was still shocked and excited to learn they’d won the opportunity.

When the big day finally came, Gurel shared that her most memorable moment happened in the wee hours of the morning when her roommate woke her up with an enthusiastic declaration, “It’s Macy’s!”

Something a viewer might not think about when watching the parade is just how cold it is! Gurel lamented how her uniform was a two piece, essentially a crop top and a skirt, so she certainly felt the frosty air.

On the other end of the spectrum, Redziniak found that she had overprepared and layered a bit too much, “I was so hot!” she said.

A standout memory for Redziniak was having the honor of passing out the “Macy’s Day Parade Participant 2025” pins to everyone.

“All I could think was, ‘This is actually happening’,” she shared.

For Gurel, performing “Fly Eagles Fly” in Times Square will always be one of her favorite memories of the trip.

“Especially since my roommate is a Giants fan,” she joked.

To cap off an amazing experience, the whole Diamond Band, as well as any family who’d come to watch the parade, went on a sunset cruise. The route offered a view of the Statue of Liberty, but Gurel had to settle for her friends’ photos,

“I missed the announcement completely; I was in the bathroom!” Gurel lamented.

Aside from the missed view of Lady Liberty, both women can’t say enough about how much fun they had on their trip to New York.

The Diamond Band brought them both to Temple, shaped their four years, and sent them off on the biggest stage imaginable. Not a bad way to close the chapter.

As for what’s next, they’ve both got plans.

Gurel will be working at Reliance Matrix as an underwriting associate. She’d previously interned for the company and was given an offer to return upon graduation.

Redziniak plans to travel both domestically and internationally before settling down to focus on studying for the CPA exam. Then in the fall, she’ll also be returning to a previous internship location, Baker Tilly, as an assurance associate.