By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
OLIVER SPRINGS (WATE) - There was a special tribute at the Oliver Springs High School football game Friday to two students who lost their lives.
14-year-old Ellie Jackson died last July in an ATV accident. 16-year-old Brady Walls was riding in the back of a pickup truck this past may and fell out. He later died from his injuries.
Both teens were very popular at the high school. Jackson was a cheerleader, and Wall was a football player.
A few months ago an idea was brought up by family friend, Kevin Hamilton, to put photos of both teenagers at the stadium. On Friday, those photos were shown for the first time.
"I thought it was a good way for us, as a community, to honor them and let the other people community also partake in it," said Hamilton.
The huge photos can be seen on both sides of the press box.
For Brady's mother, the photo of her son gives her comfort and helps her have strength to come to the games.
"Brady was not passing in school," said Brady's mother Juanita Walls. "When he found out he was passing in school, he made me promise I would come to all of his games. So I wasn't going to come at first, but then it was a promise I made to him. I'm coming to all his games."
Ellie's parents were amazed someone thought of a way to remember their daughter.
"It's emotional," said Ellie's father Greg Jackson, "That's all I can say. It does bring me comfort. It is tough."
"I want it to keep her memory alive and what she stood for," said Ellie's mother Amy Drennan, "That everyone will remember her.""
Everyone who helped with the project hope it will serve as a tribute to both of these teens and as a reminder to other students.
"We hope that it makes the kids stop and think, and let them know that your not indestructible," said Hamilton, "Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow."
The photos are removable, and they plan to take them down when football season is over so they won't get damaged.
The photos of Ellie and Brady can be seen on both sides of the press box.
