FSCC rodeo team grants wish for FSMS student with rare illness

Friday, October 13, 2023
Fort Scott Middle School student Brylynn Koppa, pictured center with her family, was honored at the Fort Scott Community College Alumni Rodeo Oct. 7. She received several gifts, a tour around the rodeo arena, and a team-issued vest. Koppa is also pictured with members of the FSCC rodeo program.
Courtesy photo/FSCC

The Fort Scott Community College Athletic Department recently made a wish come true for 13-year-old Brylynn Koppa, a student at Fort Scott Middle School.

Koppa, who was born September 2010 with a condition called Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease, received several gifts and was recognized during the Dan VandeWynkel Alumni Rodeo Oct. 7 at Arnold Arena. The annual rodeo also included a rodeo athlete auction, during which visitors could bid on five hours of labor from members of the rodeo team.

FSCC Athletic Director Luke Demko said the Make-A-Wish Foundation reached out to FSCC about granting a wish for Koppa. FSCC Head Rodeo Coach Chad Cross, Assistant Rodeo Coach Cali Griffin and the rodeo team were spurred into action.

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