MOUNT CARMEL, Pa. — Excitement is filling the air as students in the Mount Carmel Junior Senior High School auditorium watch former student Brett Veach's football highlights.
"He was one of us at one point. It's kind of crazy to believe that from a small town like this to be—go from a small place to a bigger, much bigger team," said Wil Brecker, Mount Carmel Area Student.
Veach is the General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. He's currently in Las Vegas getting ready for the Super Bowl. The school decided to have a pep rally honoring Veach since he's done so much for the community.
"The Veach family is a very good family in our community, so kids from Mount Carmel Area got to walk up and touch the Lombardi trophy, his family has been very instrumental in our weight room here establishing it," said Aaron Domanski, Head Teacher Mount Carmel Area.
Domanski says he's proud of what Veach is accomplishing while representing the coal region.
"He's becoming well known in the NFL as a great GM, but people in the community—just seeing him, identifying him with that."
Eve Lyash was Veach's Spanish teacher. She uses his success as an example for her students now.
"He had something he wanted to do, and was able to accomplish it, you know, I try to convince them that when you have a goal, that you have to work for it, you can't expect somebody to hand it to you," said Eve Lyash Mount Carmel Area Spanish Teacher.
Lyash says the school spirit has played a role in his career.
"It's the pride, dedication, determination, all of the qualities that we hope to inspire in our students that I think he has carried with him to Kansas City."
There's no doubt here that staff and students are hoping for a Chiefs win on Sunday.