On Thursdays at Johnson Elementary School, it’s a pretty big deal when a couple senior members of the Bridgeport High School football team come to visit. Not only do the students get to mingle with some of the star athletes, but they get read to as well.

 

As part of the weekly Pre-K PowWow, the youngsters in the pre-l classes get to hear from the football players.

 

And the football players get a chance to see how the youngsters look up to them.

 

Today, it took on an entirely different meaning. Along with it being the final “fan visit” from the seniors, the Indians are set to play Bluefield Friday for a Class AA state championship and the students wanted them to know who they were rooting for.

 

With that in mind, the “Class Kindness Elf” suggested the students invite a pair of seniors to lunch. Brian Henderson and Trey Pancake got the invite and accepted.

 

“The football players are in awe every time they come, and they were in awe today,” said JES Assistant Principal Heather Holbert. “The kids climb on them; ask questions from the color jersey they’re going to be wearing and what they think the score of the game will be. It’s adorable to see the interaction.

 

“Today, like every day, the students coming over get to be in the spotlight,” she continued. “Both of the young men were overwhelmed with what took place, particularly how the hallways were decorated.”

 

Holbert said it’s one of the benefits of having a shared campus with the high school.

 

“It’s definitely a win-win for the students at both schools and it’s possible because of the shared campus,” said Holbert.  “I also think, for the high schoolers that takes the time to do it, it says something about their character because it makes these kids feel special.”

 

Click HERE for a previous story on the PowWow that was written by Julie Perine.

 

Check out some of the photos of the event today in the link below.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo from today shows Brian Henderson enjoying the company of a pre-K student, while fellow BHS footballl player and senior Trey Pancake gets a hug from one his biggest - and smallest - fans during a special lunch in the players' honor at Johnson Elementary School. Bottom photo shows the pair getting a lot of hugs and good luck wishes from several of the students.