MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — JD Vance is asking some current Middies from his alma mater to join him for the inauguration, when the Middletown High School alumnus will be sworn in as Vice President.
A Middletown City Schools spokesperson told WCPO Vance has reached out to invite the Middletown High School marching band to perform at the inauguration, which will be held Monday, January 20 at the US Capitol in Washington DC.
"We are honored and excited to be included in this historic moment and represent our district, city, county and state in celebration of Middletown High School alumnus, Vice President-Elect JD Vance," said Carmela Cotter, principal of Middletown High School.
According to Cotter, the school was in contact with Vance's team and asked if he would like the Middies to be present for him. After a few weeks, State Senator George Lang informed them about the invitation and donated $1,000 towards expenses. The marching band will be among the procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens' groups, bands and floats that will follow President-elect Donald Trump and Vance down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House on inauguration day — an opportunity Middletown's band director said is a once-in-a-lifetime one.
"We are honored to represent Middletown High School in the 2025 Inaugural Parade and understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students," said David Leiston, director of the Middletown High School band.
Middletown City School District will cover the cost of travel to Washington DC for students performing and staff attending, according to a press release from the district. As a result, the band is asking for donations to help offset the cost; donations can be dropped off in person at the MCSD Central Office during business hours or mailed to the district's central office at 1 Donham Plaza. Any donations made via check should have "Inaugural Parade" written in the memo line, the district said.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones also said he will donate $10,000 toward the costs of travel for the band, and any law enforcement security needed. Jones also asked local businesses to help donate to ensure the students can make the trip.
"When I went to school, I didn't have any money and definitely couldn't afford a trip to Washington DC," said Jones in a press release. "So, I'm making sure these kids can participate in an experience of a lifetime."
On Friday, the City of Middletown followed suit, pledging to donate another $10,000 toward the band's trip.
Middletown High School Band Director David Leisten said the band of 115 students will perform "America Sweet Land of Liberty." The band has performed at football games, Disney World and Magic Kingdom but this would be the biggest performance.
"It's very exciting. I mean this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's such a cool experience, and I was really excited to go to DC. I think it'll be really good for the program," said Alexis Johnson, mellophone section leader.
Trump tapped Vance to join him on the Republican ticket in July; the former president made the announcement on Truth Social as the Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Middletown, Ohio native and "Hillbilly Elegy" author was endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump during his run for the Ohio Senate, though the pair's relationship has occasionally been rocky.
"It strikes deep in the heart because that shows me that no matter where you are from. You can do anything," drumline section leader Will Benjamin said.
Most recently, Vance has lived in the Cincinnati area, where he returned to cast his ballot on Election Day, telling WCPO he felt good about he and Trump's chances in the election.
"I think our message is, first of all, we do expect to win, but obviously, no matter who wins, half the country, as you said, is going to be at least partially disappointed," said Vance. "I think my attitude is the best way to heal the rift in the country is to try to govern the country as well as we can, create as much prosperity as we can for the American people and remind our fellow Americans that we are all fundamentally on the same team."
During the campaign leading up to the election, Vance returned to Middletown to hold a rally in the high school's auditorium, where he spoke to the crowd about his Middletown roots, his background and his book, "Hillbilly Elegy," which featured his childhood and family dynamics growing up in the Ohio town.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am from Middletown, Ohio and I am proud of it and I will never forget where I came from," Vance told the packed auditorium at Middletown High School.
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