The 2018 University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital’s Kid Captain team is gearing up for another great season.

Thirteen current and former UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital patients have been selected to represent the hospital as Kid Captains during the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2018 football season.

This marks the 10th year of the Kid Captain program, which started in 2009 as a partnership between UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Iowa Hawkeyes to honor pediatric patients and celebrate their incredible stories. This year’s Kid Captains were selected from 292 nominations from six states.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the inspirational Kid Captain program, we are proud to announce the current complement of Kid Captains, all of whom represent remarkable strength and courage,” says Amy O’Deen, interim executive director of UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. “We have been privileged to care for these amazing children and their families and congratulate them on their selection as our 2018 Kid Captains.”

The 2018 Kid Captains are:

• Mason Gonzalez, 7, Jesup, Iowa
• Ean Gorsh, 9, North English, Iowa
• Gabe Graber, 13, Prairie City, Iowa
• Noah Hodgins, 9, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Livia Jackson, 10, Glenwood, Iowa
• Kiersten Mann, 14, Ankeny, Iowa
• Garret Schuster, 10, Epworth, Iowa
• Harper Still, 3, Bedford, Iowa
• Harper Stribe, 6, Polk City, Iowa
• Quinn Stumpf, 6, Riverside, Iowa
• Christopher Turnis, 13, Dubuque, Iowa
• Gwen White, 10, West Burlington, Iowa
• Mason Zabel, 2, Independence, Iowa

All Kid Captains and their families will be invited to Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 11, 2018, for a special behind-the-scenes tour. Each child’s story will be highlighted during the football season.

Visit uichildrens.org/kidcaptain for more information on each Kid Captain.