Photo Provided Students and staff wore white and gathered at the flagpole outside Indian Creek High School on Thursday in remembrance and prayer for Bradyn White, a junior who passed on April 4 from complications from pneumonia. White’s family also placed his helmet and No. 57 jersey at the base of the pole during the ceremony and a Celebration of Life event is being set for May 3 at noon at the school.

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek High School students and staff paid tribute to junior Bradyn White with several activities last Thursday, but even more is in store over the coming weeks.

White, who passed away on April 4 due to complications from pneumonia, was remembered at Indian Creek, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and schools across the area through a “Wear White for Bradyn White” fundraising campaign to help his family cover medical and funeral expenses. The event was coordinated by the ICHS Football Parents and school, business and community members were called upon to wear white clothing while monetary donations could be made at any Indian Creek school.

The son of Windy DaVia of Adena, he was a member of the Redskins football team for the past three years and played both offensive and defensive lineman during that time, plus he was a welding student at the JVS. His family also appeared at ICHS for a special event at the flagpole through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where about 500 staff and students gathered in prayer and support. Students shared kind words while White’s family placed his helmet and No. 57 jersey at the base of the pole during the ceremony.

Principal Louie Retton said it was a kind way to reflect upon the young man’s life which was tragically cut short.

“We had a prayer in support of Bradyn’s family,” Retton said. “He was a wonderful kid and always put smiles on people’s faces. Our hearts and prayers go out to both Bradyn and his family.”

He added that more efforts are underway with a Celebration of Life ceremony planned at the high school on May 3 at noon. It is open to the public and was being held in the school cafeteria.

White will also be memorialized through the ICHS FFA Chapter, whose recent Bags to Benches campaign is taking a poignant turn. Adviser Crystal Fluharty said more than 1,000 pounds of plastic bags and related materials will be recycled into a bench in his honor.

“The students came to me asking to do something for him and we thought about donating the bench,” Fluharty said. “It’s going to be rainforest green–which was Bradyn’s favorite color–and we’re going to ask the engineering students to make a plaque. The football team can decide where it will be placed.”

Additionally, his family has started a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses. More details about the Indian Creek donation project can be found at the Indian Creek Football Parents Facebook page.