4th Annual Bryson’s Buddies Games held in memory of NHHS student

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 4th annual Bryson’s Buddies Games were held at the First Baptist Church Activity Center.

The event is held in honor of Bryson Furtado, who died by suicide three years ago.

Bryson was the younger brother of former WWAY reporter Peyton Furtado.

Bryson enjoyed working with students with special needs during his time as a student at New Hanover High School.

He started the event as a senior project in high school and was studying occupational therapy at East Carolina University.

100 students with special needs from New Hanover High, Hoggard and UNCW’s Transitional Program for Young Adults took part this year, playing games like baseball and cornhole.

Students could also get their faces painted and play with several puppies from the “Paws 4 People” foundation.

Bryson’s mother, Kim, said the students taking part meant so much to him.

“Everywhere I look, when I see these students, I see my son and in the volunteers that are here working with them, I see him too,” Furtado said. “And just his heart and what he longed to do for his life, what his plan was.”

And for Samar Gerald, a student at New Hanover High whom Bryson worked with, the event had its own meaning for him as well.

“Bryson Buddies is well, a lot of things to me: having fun with all my old friends, meet some new friends, and having fun with everyone,” Gerald said. “And more importantly, being around people that you know.”

Furtado said this year’s event was even more special, due to it being held at First Baptist Church, where Bryson had been a member.