“It’s a memory I hold today,” said Ferrell, who lived in Alexandria, Va. at the time. “I think our band and the cheerleaders, and all those there, I think in their young memory, they’ll carry this for a lifetime. It’s an impressive day.”
Vance, a graduate of Middletown High School, is the first from Middletown to serve in the White House and the first Ohioan to be vice president, though eight with ties to the Buckeye state have served in the top executive branch seat.
Because of frigid temperatures, the Inauguration Parade for President Donald Trump that the Middletown students were to participate in was moved to Capital One Arena in warmer conditions.
Dozens of band parents and supporters watched the historic event on the big screen at Berachah Church as the Middies band marched into Capital One Arena, led by the school’s cheerleaders, stopped and turned toward the grandstand with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance watching, and played.
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
It was a long day for the Middletown students and their supporters, after some parents expected their kids to perform anywhere between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the parade. The band had been standing around, ready to go, for hours and at around 5:30 p.m. finally had its turn in the processional.
Vance, a 2003 Middletown graduate, was seen smiling and pointing, and whispering to Trump as his alma mater’s band played.
Some of the parents stood at the watch party, pointing at their kids and cheering as they came on the screen. A couple of them yelled, “That’s my baby!”
Rebecca Johnson, the mother of Brianna Johnson, a 16-year-old member of the band’s color guard, called the opportunity “amazing” and is “grateful.”
Johnson said her daughter was hesitant at first because she had never been out of town and away from family, but “she’s very excited.” She said she’s “emotional” and “nervous.”
“She’s going to remember this and will tell my grandkids and great grandkids,” said Johnson, who was a freshman when Vance was a senior at Middletown High School.
After the performance, Johnson let the emotions flow, from tears and yells of excitement seeing her “baby” perform on the biggest stage in front of Trump and Vance.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they did amazing,” she said.
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Fellow band mom Johnni Combs said her daughter, Alexis Combs, an 18-year-old senior, was one of the leaders of the color guard. She was all into the performance because “that’s what you do when you’re kids are out there.”
“They put their heart-and-soul into it, and we do just as much,” she said.
Middletown Superintendent Deborah Houser said they “couldn’t be more proud of our incredible Middie marching band, color guard, and cheerleaders.”
“This once-in-a-lifetime experience was a beautiful showcase of our students’ immense talent and dedication, shining a national spotlight on our amazing Middletown community,” she said, also offering a “a heartfelt thank you” to Vice President Vance.
“Watching our students represent Middletown on such a historic stage was a deeply inspiring moment and a true celebration of the spirit and strength that define our community. This unforgettable event is one we’ll treasure forever as a shining milestone in the history of Middletown City Schools.”
Jarred and Suzannah Esselman, members of Berachah Church, came to watch the inauguration and to see the Middletown marching band.
“It’s great that a local guy has gone that far,” Jarred Esselman said, who was a few years behind Vance at Middletown High School.
The couple also called Vance “an inspiration” to the next generation.
“I think it’s great to show kids that you can come from a rough background, but by putting in the work, you can achieve great things,” said Suzannah Esselman said. “That’s the American Dream.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
The band received the invite from Vance to perform, and the community pitched in for financial support receiving around $174,000, including $50,000 from the state and $10,000 each from the city of Middletown and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. That funding helped get the band from Middletown High School to Washington, D.C., departing for the three-day trip on three Croswell buses early on Sunday morning.
In a statement from Middletown City Schools, officials said they were grateful for the invitation.
“The incredible opportunity reflects the talent and dedication of our students, staff, and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to represent our district on the national stage,” according to the statement. “The district is also deeply grateful to the individuals and businesses who have generously supported this journey, ensuring our students can share their talents and Middie pride with the nation.”
Ferrell said he was asked to host a watch party for band parents.
“It’s truly a remarkable and wonderful day, a historic day,” said Ferrell, who was once a band parent when his son was in the marching band. “I cannot imaging how these parents are feeling. They must be so incredibly excited.”
And though they don’t have any children in the band that performed on Monday late afternoon, they are still “elated” for the band and its accomplishments.
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