Jeremy Briggeman of Iuka will be recognized as a Greenback Legacy Honoree at the Pratt High School football game vs Halstead on Friday, September 15.
Members of the Pratt High School Spirit Leadership Team recently surprised Briggemen with the notification of his upcoming award. He was grateful and excited as a former Greenback to be recognized in this way.
Briggeman was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at nine months old. He spent most of his childhood on a dairy farm near Iuka with his parents and siblings. He started using a walker when he was four, but a wheelchair was ultimately a better fit for his mobility and balance.
Bob and Nancy Briggeman, Jeremy’s parents, always felt it was important for him to learn how to do things on his own, even if it wasn’t the easiest option. His dad adapted and created ways for his son to participate in farm chores, which helped him develop a strong sense of independence. He was eager to play his part in daily routines — feeding baby calves, riding tractors, and mowing.
Growing up in a small, supportive community and attending school in Pratt was essential to Briggeman’s education. He was a natural in his small engine mechanics class and helped manage the Pratt High School basketball team. He is still a loyal Greenbacks fan to this day and rarely misses a home game.
After high school, Briggeman attended courses in Wichita to learn independent living and vocational skills. Afterward, he was employed at a sheltered workshop in Hutchinson, but ultimately decided he wanted to settle down in Pratt.
Back home in Pratt, Briggeman started working at RR Creations, using a computer-aided design (CAD) program to draw replicas of buildings used for screen printing on woodcuts. With his knowledge of CAD, Briggeman created ramp designs for his home. After RR Creations closed, he contracted with the City of Pratt and the South Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative to provide mowing services.
Opportunities and access to technology have been integral to his self-sufficient lifestyle.
Jeremy’s determination and unwavering desire to learn and adapt throughout his life earned him the 2021 Peter John Loux Award, from which much of the information in this article was shared.
As a 1990 graduate of Pratt High School, Briggeman continues to be a huge Greenback fan. His grit and loyally in supporting the Greenbacks for over 30 years and can often be seen at both football and basketball games. It is for that grit and commitment that Kari Eastes and Rayna Bolen from the Pratt High School Spirit Leadership Team will present Jeremy his LEGACY AWARD between the 1st and 2nd quarter of the Halstead game.
Briggeman continues to run a mowing business and works for clients in Pratt.
