APOLLO BEACH, Fla. — “My names is Morgan Cook, and I’m in third grade,” said the girl doing her homework at the kitchen island.

What You Need To Know

  • Gasparilla Children's Parade began in 1947

  • Alcohol-free event prior to Gaparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates on Saturday, January 28

  • Morgan Cook is riding with her mom April and the Krewe of Charlotte de Berry

  • Krewe members work year-round to raise money for chariry; their reward is riding in the parades

Math is fun for this 8-year-old Apollo beach student.

“I’m working on multiplying multiples of ten,” Cook explained.

And when she’s not slaying numbers at Doby Elementary, Cook is taking to the high seas as a pirate in the children’s Gasparilla parade…

“It’s gonna be really fun,” Cook said.

First there’s the piratey attire—and It’s the accessories that put it over the top for this young skallywag --a statement necklace and a treasure pouch—filled with doubloons and colorful gems.

It may be her first Gasparilla riding with the Krewe of Charlotte de Berry…

But she already looks like a salty pirate dawg.

And she throws like one too.

“You gotta roll your beads into a ball and then you gotta throw them like this,” said Cook, throwing the beads overhand so little arms can make it past the barricades to the crowds….

And finally, we walk the plank---down memory lane by looking at the children of past parades.

Some are in stripes and headscarves like Cook—plus there are also eye patches that look like hers.

This mini–Captain Morgan Cook is continuing this 1947 tradition.

“Like I get to throw beads it’s gonna be loud there’s gonna be kids everywhere.

And I get to go on the float and have fun,” said Cook.