Emily Harper, the eight-year-old daughter of St. Augustine University assistant football coach Brandon Harper, was among the campers who lost their lives during this month’s devastating flash flooding in central Texas, the school has confirmed.

“Our entire community mourns alongside the Harper family, and we extend our deepest condolences and steadfast support to them,” a spokesperson for St. Augustine University, a Division III college in San Antonio, said in a statement. “We know this heartbreaking loss will be felt not only across our campus, but far beyond it.”

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The Harpers were among many desperate families clinging to hope as search crews scoured the area for missing children after the Guadalupe River violently overflowed into Camp Silver Pines. The Christian summer camp, located roughly 85 miles from San Antonio, has now confirmed the deaths of 27 campers and counselors.

St. Augustine head coach Marcus Reynolds and several football players were seen joining the search efforts for the missing campers, according to San Antonio’s KSAT-TV.

“Please keep praying for a miracle for my baby girl Emily,” Brandon wrote on X, sharing a video of Emily standing proudly on stage singing a Christmas carol.

“She is still one of the Silver Pines campers who is unaccounted for,” he added. “I’ll never forget the day she told me she had the lead solo in the Christmas pageant. She was absolutely fearless.”

Emily Harper, the eight-year-old daughter of St. Augustine University assistant football coach Brandon Harper, was among the campers killed during this month’s horrifying flash flooding.

Emily Harper, the eight-year-old daughter of St. Augustine University assistant football coach Brandon Harper, was among the campers killed during this month’s horrifying flash flooding.

Brandon Harper is pictured holding a young Emily, who was only eight years old when she passed away.

Brandon Harper is pictured holding a young Emily, who was only eight years old when she passed away.

Brandon Harper is a graduate of St. Augustine University, where he once played offensive line for the school’s football team. Today, he serves as the team’s offensive coordinator.

He and his wife, Ashley Harper, are also parents to another daughter, Madison.

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The Harper family has since shared a statement with Fox Digital.

“She was kind, brave, playful, compassionate, and a loyal friend to everyone she met,” the statement began. “Even though she was taken from us far too soon, we thank God for the eight beautiful and magical years we were blessed to spend with her.

“Our family also wants to thank everyone who has lifted us up with prayers and messages of support during this unimaginable time. We are forever grateful to the brave men and women who continue working tirelessly in the search and rescue efforts.”

Brandon and his wife, Ashley, also have another daughter, Madison, in addition to Emily.

Brandon Harper is pictured with both of his daughters at St. Augustine University in San Antonio, Texas.

Brandon Harper is pictured with both of his daughters at St. Augustine University in San Antonio, Texas.

The death toll from the catastrophic flash flooding has now climbed to 129, with another 160 people still reported missing across central Texas.

The tragedy dominated conversations during this week’s Big 12 media days, where TCU head coach Michael Daniels and several players wore green ribbons to honor the young girls of Camp Silver Pines.

Baylor football coach Daniel Foster described the flooding disaster as “every parent’s worst nightmare.”

“It’s beyond heartbreaking,” he said. “Over the past few days I’ve been struggling to process it. My wife and I have been following every update, and I just want to say my heart is shattered. Those girls and their families are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.”

President Richard Walker also spoke about the Camp Silver Pines campers while touring the destruction before traveling to Walker National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey for the weekend.

“They were there because they loved God,” Walker said of the young campers at the historic Christian summer camp. “And as we grieve this unimaginable tragedy, we take comfort in believing that God has welcomed those beautiful little girls into His loving arms in heaven.”