Bryson's Dream

Bryson’s dream began with a surprise sendoff at his school, surrounded by his parents, friends, and the Dream On 3 team. A special video from Steelers’ Alex Highsmith, shown to his entire class, announced that his dream was starting! After a parade-style celebration through his school, Bryson and his family were whisked away in a limo to the airport.

Upon arrival in Pittsburgh, Bob Paige, Area Director of Sales & Marketing at the Omni, greeted the group alongside a sales manager. They were escorted to an extraordinary Santa-themed suite decked out with Christmas decorations, including multiple rooms, a large sitting area with a fireplace, couches, a full Christmas tree, and gifts like Bryson’s favorite snacks and a football!

The evening continued with dinner at Vallozzi’s. Upon our arrival, the owner personally came to the table to welcome Bryson and his family to the restaurant. Later, the General Manager gave Bryson and his mom an exclusive tour of the kitchen. To top it off, their limo driver made a special stop to show them a large Christmas tree in downtown Pittsburgh, surrounded by people ice skating. It was the perfect first day in the Steel City!

The morning highlight on day two was a two-hour guided tour of the stadium – an unforgettable experience that included stops at iconic spots like the FedEx Great Hall, Field Level, PNC Champions Club, the Terrible Towel Wall, and the legendary Heinz Ketchup Bottle. We also visited the Press Box and the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum, all while receiving a commemorative credential and a special gift!

A extra special moment occurred when Bryson had the chance to touch the field and hit the famous “Steelers Tunnel” – the very spot where players slap the “Steelers Steel” before running onto the field for a game, a powerful tradition for fans and players alike. For lunch, we dined at Primanti Bros, a local favorite known for its famous sandwiches piled high with french fries!

That evening, we ventured to the ice skating rink to see the stunning Christmas tree, capturing family photos and enjoying the festive atmosphere. A stroll through the street market followed, complete with hot chocolate to keep warm. The highlight of the evening came when we made our way to the Penguins game where friend of Dream On 3, Brian Hess, generously upgraded the experience with suite seats!

The game itself was fantastic, with the Penguins securing a thrilling win, adding even more excitement to an already memorable night. It was Bryson’s first live hockey game, and it was definitely a big experience for him! During the first intermission, Bryson even felt the thrill of riding on the Zamboni and made a cameo on the JumboTron. As a special treat, Brian gifted Bryson a fantastic goodie bag, which included a signed puck by famous Penguin, Sidney Crosby, a calendar, a hat, a schedule, and other fun Penguins memorabilia.

Bryson’s Steelers game day was nothing short of phenomenal, filled with unforgettable moments from start to finish! Bryson, fully decked out in Steelers gear—including cool glasses, a logo chain, jersey, joggers, and sneakers—was the picture of a diehard Steelers fan. Arriving at the stadium, the excitement only grew when we realized just how close the seats were to the field, offering a front-row view of every play. Bryson’s knowledge of the players and the game, shared with his dad, added to the excitement as he cheered and whipped his Terrible Towel with true Steelers passion!

But, the surprises didn’t end there! Alex Highsmith gifted 10 tickets to a post-game experience, which allowed us to share the moment with Brian Hess and his friends, including those from the famous Mikey and Big Bob Podcast – a Pittsburgh favorite. After an incredible Steelers win, the experience became even more extraordinary when we went onto the field to meet players like Ryan Shazier, Christian Kuntz, Payton Wilson, Patrick Queen, Broderick Jones, and Alex Highsmith himself. The interactions, autographs, and photos created memories that will last a lifetime! Alex Highsmith’s generosity stood out, as he spent so much time with Bryson, introduced him to his family, and walked him off the field, talking with him the entire way.

Thank you to the Providence Academy Jr. Dream Team for helping to make Bryson’s Dream come true!