Thursday's Heroes - BYU football

October 22nd was a day that won't be forgotten soon.  As not many people know, Cassandra was nominated by some family friends for the Thursday's Heroes program that is sponsored by the Mendenhall's and BYU football.  The vision of the program is as follows: Thursday’s Heroes began in 2006 and is sponsored by The Holly & Bronco Mendenhall Foundation. The aim of the program was to provide support, encouragement, and in some cases,financial aid, to children & families that are facing significant life challenges.

We had waited and waited to see if she had been chosen for the program.  Word came, probably a month ago, that she had indeed been selected and would be a Thursday Hero.  We were all super excited.  As many have seen on Facebook, the Kieffer, Holt and Lilly family joined together to celebrate this event.  

Anyway, the actual day of was great.  We gathered at the student athletic building on the BYU campus, were shown around the football lobby, the coaches' offices, and the playing fields.  Because BYU was going up to Boise State, they were practicing on the astro turf in the indoor practice facility.  After the practice, the team huddled up and then approached us like a massive army, Bronco with his arms outstretched.  He gave Cassie a hug, introduced the team, and then Andrew Mikkelsen (#29 freshman kicker) and Craig Bills (#20 senior defensive back) gave her a bunch of gifts (T-shirts, jersey, hats, football, etc.) and a flag and football with player and coach signatures.  Cassie also was able to sign the flag that the team carries with them to games, so she will always be represented at BYU football games no matter where it is.  Pictures and additional video are pending.  Below is the video that was presented to the team before practices, as read by Greg Wrubell the "Voice of the Cougars" (he has been calling play-by-play for the BYU Football team for many years).

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, with so much love and joy to be had.  Thanks to all those who came physically (Cassie and Chris Holt; Cathy Holt; Troy, Amy and Ethan Lilly; and our cameraman Travis) and those in spirit.

P.S. There are some neat perks to being a Thursday's Heroes not mentioned: we get to go to a game, so we chose the "blackout" game against UNLV on November 15; we get to enjoy the pregame practice and meet the team again for pregame ceremonies.  There is also an annual banquet for all heroes to return to and meet others.  In short, Cassie will be a part of BYU forever.

Submitted by Christopher

An Eventful Saturday

October 12th was an exciting day! It started out with primary practice, and I figured out how to put up folding chairs! In the middle of the day we had Gramps' 80th birthday party and I talked with several people. It's a small world, because I remember my conversation about Dr. Edgely that I had with Jen Holt (that they are cousins)! I said I saw him last month at his office, and I was very impressed with him, because he had a stroke when he was 27! The last thing was a dinner, with the Kieffer family, Holt family and my family! So we had dinner and we sat around talking a bit and I knew my mom was going to get up and give Mat a thank you gift from BYU for working there for 15 years. But I didn't know he was going to present me with an award too ... I am a part of Thursday's heroes! This means that I can go and meet the team after the football practice on October 22, and I get to go to a football game. On top of that I also get to go to BYU every year by BYUs invitation for a Thursday's heroes banquet!