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“USA! USA!” — Elizabeth Jernigan Sings the National Anthem at Patriot Games Opening Night Dinner

Elizabeth - 2026 Patriot GamesIt wasn’t a stadium. There was no stage, no lighting rig, no broadcast camera. Heck, there wasn’t even a microphone.

Elizabeth Jernigan, a Pymatuning Valley sophomore, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the opening night dinner of the 2026 Patriot Games at SPIRE Academy in Geneva — an informal performance in front of the athletes and families who had traveled to Ashtabula County from all 50 states, U.S. territories and tribal nations.

The response was anything but informal. The last note was met with a wave of applause from the room, which gave way to chants of “USA! USA!” from the athletes.

The dinner opened a three-day national competition that brings high school athletes ages 14 to 17 to SPIRE’s 800-acre campus. The Patriot Games are a signature event of Freedom 250, the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Athletes compete in a series of challenges built around strength, endurance, agility, teamwork and perseverance, with one male and one female champion splitting a $250,000 scholarship prize pool.

Competition runs August 9–11 and streams daily on the ESPN App, wrapping with a one-hour primetime special on ESPN on ABC at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, August 13, featuring highlights and the announcement of the winners. For Ashtabula County, it’s a rare turn in the national spotlight — a local campus hosting a coast-to-coast field.

Jernigan came into the weekend with her vocal cords already warmed up. The night before, on Saturday, August 8, she sang the National Anthem at the Erie SeaWolves game at UPMC Park in Erie, Pennsylvania — two anthems, two states, two big events, two nights.

The run continues into the fall. Jernigan has also been invited to perform at The Spirit of America: 9-11 service in Ashtabula on Friday, September 11 — a community remembrance held on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. It’s a different kind of performance than a ballpark or a dinner hall: quieter, heavier, and for a room full of neighbors.

Her schedule doesn’t slow down much when she isn’t singing. Jernigan is a majorette and plays volleyball, basketball and softball for Pymatuning Valley. She also participates in band, choir, show choir, jazz band and student council.

If you want to watch: The 2026 Patriot Games run August 9–11 at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. Live coverage streams on the ESPN App, with the primetime special airing on ESPN on ABC at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, August 13. More at freedom250.org.

Follow along: Freedom 250 is on Instagram at @freedom250 and on X at @Freedom250.

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Elizabeth Jernigan performs at Eastern League Championship Game as SeaWolves fall to Rumble Ponies

Erie Seawolves - God Bless America

ERIE, PA — Fans at UPMC Park were treated to a familiar local voice during the Eastern League Championship game as Elizabeth Jernigan performed “God Bless America” prior to the final matchup between the Erie SeaWolves and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The game, held in Erie, ended in an 8–2 SeaWolves loss as Binghamton secured the league title.

Jernigan, a Northeast Ohio native and Freshman at Pymatuning Valley High School, has become a regular musical presence at SeaWolves events. She previously performed at the team’s 2023 championship series and returned again earlier this year to sing at Erie’s 2025 home opener. In addition, she sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the Moon Mammoths rebranding in July 2025. Her appearance at this season’s championship game continued that pattern, marking one of several performances she has delivered for the club over the past few years.

The championship matchup itself saw Erie fall behind early, with Binghamton adding steady offense throughout the night to close out the series. Despite the loss, the 7th Inning Stretch and Jernigan’s performance provided a highlight for the crowd in the later innings.

Jernigan’s growing résumé includes appearances at regional sporting events, community programs, school performances and was Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Jr in Ashtabula in March. More information about her work and both past and upcoming events can be found at ElizabethJernigan.com.

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Area girl to sing with Warren band

Elizabeth Jernigan performing at W.D. Packard Music Hall

By WARREN DILLAWAY – 

Photo by Kelly Summers

A Pymatuning Valley High School freshman will make her third appearance with the W.D. Packard Concert Band Dec. 7 at Packard Hall in Warren.

This will be Elizabeth Jernigan’s third appearance with the band, said Thomas Groth, the executive director of the band. He said he heard her performance at an Erie Seawolves game on video and invited her to sing solos with the band three years ago, and has invited her back annually.

Groth said he tries to find talent and give them an opportunity to perform. He said it was especially enjoyable to work with an Ashtabula County resident, since he started his musical career as band director at Jefferson Area High School from 1963-66 and Edgewood from 1966 to 1969, before moving to Boardman High School.

He said Jernigan’s grandmother, Suzanne Wludyga, played flute in his band at JAHS. Groth said Jernigan is very talented.

The W.D. Packard band has been in place for more than 70 years, and Groth said he has been a part of the music-making group for 61 years.

Concerts by the band are free of charge, thanks to an endowment from Packard.
The concert is the Family Christmas Spectacular, and Jernigan will be a featured soloist, the first in Ashtabula County.
Jernigan joins a group of performers from the Amanda Beagle Vocal Studio, multiple local dance ensembles, and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Luke Jernigan, Elizabeth’s father, said she has been performing publicly since she was three years old. He said she has performed for sporting events such as the Erie Otters, Lake County Captains, Akron Rubber Ducks, the Ohio Bobcat’s mens basketball team and numerous events at Pymatuning Valley High School.