Pleasant Grove graduate, Brandon Edwards, was recognized on Friday, October 26 during pre-game ceremonies at Hawk Stadium for being the Hawks’ number one fan. Brandon is a 2006 Pleasant Grove High School graduate where he served as the football team manager from 2005-2008 and enthusiastically led the team onto the field for every game. Ten years later, he rarely misses a game.
Brandon is active in Special Olympics and Runnin’ WJ Ranch. He will soon move to Elgin, TX to live and work on Down Home Ranch. When current teacher, Emily Campbell, and district speech pathologist, Jenny Bearden, learned of his future plans to move to Elgin, they communicated with the PG Athletic Booster Club and the PG Athletic Department. Athletic Director Josh Gibson was eager to recognize Brandon during the last home game of the season. Before the football team ran out onto the field, Coach Gibson shook Brandon’s hand and thanked him for being such a loyal Hawk fan.
As a Pleasant Grove middle school and high school student, Brandon enjoyed watching the Pleasant Grove Showstoppers under the direction of Stephanie Carpenter and Jenny Bearden. Jenny was expecting current Showstopper Captain Brooklynn Bearden, and a year later Stephanie was expecting current Junior Lieutenant Chloe Carpenter. After a performance at his 7th grade middle school pep rally, it was arranged for Brandon to take a team picture with the Showstoppers. He says he still has that photo. On Friday night, Brooklynn, Chloe, and the Showstoppers were able to cheer Brandon on from the sidelines with posters and claps like he has done for them for so long and take a current team photo. Brandon plans to decorate his new apartment with the posters and pictures. He couldn’t stop thanking Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Bearden.
“Watching Brandon receive recognition for being the Hawks’ number one fan melted our hearts,” Jenny Bearden said. “It’s so neat to see how he has grown up and matured. Brandon embodies what is means to be Hawk Nation.”
