Grace VanderWaal Granted Key to Rockland County

A parade was held in honor of the ‘America’s Got Talent’ winner on Saturday

On Saturday, thousands of Rockland County residents lined the sidewalks of Suffern’s Lafayette Avenue to welcome America’s Got Talent Season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal back home after her celebrated win. The 12-year-old singer/songwriter rode down the street in an open convertible, waving, dancing, and greeting screaming fans alongside her older sister and friends. Her parents were also honored and cheered, riding in a separate vehicle.

Following the parade, Rockland County Executive Ed Day called Grace up to the stage, granting her the first ever key to Rockland County. “Suffern knew she had talent. Rockland knew she had talent. Now America knows she has talent,” he said. Also announced at the ceremony, the AGT star will forever be honored on October 1 in New York State with her own holiday, Grace VanderWaal Day.

The Suffern Middle School seventh grader emerged victorious from the nationally broadcast competition just two weeks ago, bringing home a million dollar prize and igniting pride throughout the Hudson Valley. And even absent her signature ukelele, the below video illustrates how she charmed all of America. 

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Video Courtesy of Grace VanderWaal 2016/YouTube 

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