EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The East Grand Rapids Pioneers lost a heart-breaking, four-overtime game against Lowell Friday night on East’s homecoming.
But after the events of the game’s halftime, it was impossible for any fan to leave without a smile.
Joshua Pittman, a senior at East Grand Rapids who was born with autism, was elected Homecoming King by his fellow students Friday night.
Joshua couldn’t hide his excitement as his name was called over the stadium loudspeakers. His parents couldn’t hide their array of emotions.
“We’re on top of the world right now,” J.R. Pittman, Joshua’s father, said through tears and smiles. “We didn’t expect this.”
Joshua’s classmates and friends started a Facebook movement earlier in the week to get him elected onto the court. It had hundreds of supporters within hours.
Joshua was joined by East Grand Rapids Homecoming Queen Isabel Condon. Evette Pittman, Joshua’s mother, says the two have been classmates since kindergarten.
