Houston ISD marching band students ‘safe and sound’ after deadly crash in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS – Officials with Houston ISD’s Waltrip High School marching band have confirmed the students, staff, and chaperones are “safe and sound” after a deadly crash in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

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HISD reversed its decision back in September to let the students perform at the 2025 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans after Houston Mayor John Whitmire offered a police escort for the band.

The band was one of five national teams selected to perform at the 2025 Sugar Bowl and parents and students had been fundraising for the trip.

However, one parent KPRC 2 spoke with said the North Area superintendent, Orlando Riddick, had safety concerns saying New Orleans on New Year’s is unsafe as the Sugar Bowl played on New Year’s Day.

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Mayor Whitmire heard about the situation and in a post on X, the City of Houston said he offered members of the Houston Police Department to help escort the band.

After the decision was reversed, and the marching band students were allowed to attend the trip, HISD Superintendent Mike Miles expressed confidence in keeping students safe via an email to Waltrip HS band parents.

“I understand the Division Leadership had safety concerns about this trip, and while student safety and security is always our top priority, I am confident we can safeguard our students and provide them with this incredible opportunity,” Miles wrote. “As a proud band dad myself, I want to make sure the Roaring Ram Band can travel to the Sugar Bowl safely. To this end, I am assigning HISD PD officers to travel with the band.”

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In an emailed statement, Houston ISD confirmed the students are in fact, safe and the chaperones are in their hotels. All scheduled activities were also postponed.

“The District can confirm all HISD students, parents, and staff in New Orleans have been accounted for and are safe.

No HISD students were near Bourbon St. at the time of the incident, and all students, parents, and staff are currently safe in their hotel. Excursions and other student activities scheduled throughout the day have been postponed.

Our students are accompanied by six HISD PD officers, 14 parent chaperones, and five HISD staff members, including Waltrip Principal Jeanette Cortez. HISD PD Chief Shamara Garner is in contact with local law enforcement in New Orleans.

Superintendent Miles was briefed on the incident early this morning and continues to be updated with the latest information.

Our hearts are with the victims of this tragic incident and with the New Orleans community this morning.”

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Mayor Whitmire, meanwhile, said in part he would not be commenting on the investigation but that the students would safely be coming back to Houston.

“I have no comment on the ongoing investigation. The Waltrip High School students are not in harm’s way and are safely returning to Houston.”

Jeff Hundley, Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Bowl also offered thoughts and prayers in light of the tragedy in the following statement:

“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”