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Jackie Robinson Life Essay & Poetry Contest
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In celebration of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day, the Pirates partnered with the Pittsburgh Public Schools in 2008 to introduce a new program called the "Jackie Robinson - Breaking Barriers" Essay and Poetry Contest. The contest was open to Pittsburgh Public school students grades three through eight. Students entered the contest by submitting original poems that explored one or more of Jackie Robinson's nine values for success: courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. Students also had the option of writing an essay that chronicled the personal struggles of Jackie Robinson and expressing the characteristics they felt were necessary for Jackie to overcome the challenges he faced.
First place winners of the Jackie Robinson "Breaking Barriers" Essay and Poetry Contest.
First row, left to right: Sujay Utkarsh- Liberty Elementary School; Sarah Sanfilippo - Whittier Elementary School; Deron Bentley - Arsenal Middle School; Aysar Gharaibeh - Sterrett Classical Academy Middle School; Ebony Horton - Miller African Center Academy School and Joe Ostrowski - South Hills Middle School.
Row two, left to right: Frank Coonelly, President Pittsburgh Pirates; Winifred Torbert - Pirates Director of Diversity Initiatives; Jonas Cleveland - Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar, Carnegie Mellon University; Della Britton Baeza - President & CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation; Dr. Linda Lane - Deputy Superintendent Pittsburgh Public Schools and Nyjer Morgan - Pirates outfielder.
Contest winners were honored before the Pirates vs. Phillies game on Sunday, April 27, 2008 as the Pirates celebrated Jackie Robinson Day at PNC Park. There were first, second and third place winners in each category for grades 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th, and 7th and 8th.
Pittsburgh RBI
Pittsburgh RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) is part of the international MLB RBI program. Pittsburgh RBI began in 1994 as part of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Because of the program's growth and its need for additional resources, in 2003, Pittsburgh RBI became part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. The Boys & Girls Club provides Pittsburgh RBI with the infrastructure and administrative services that are necessary for its success.
The program has continued to grow. In 2007, Pirates Charities, in its first official act, partnered with the Roberto Clemente Foundation and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to renovate a portion of the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club facility to build a home for Pittsburgh RBI. Find out more about Pittsburgh RBI »
Pirates Minority Business Advisory Board's Holiday Networking Reception
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The Pirates Minority Business Advisory Board's Holiday Networking Reception, held on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, took place in Club 3000 at PNC Park. Pirates Play-by-Play Announcer Lanny Frattare emceed the event while Pirates President Frank Coonelly and Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington were present to speak with reception guests. Pirates' alumni Manny Sanguillen and Grant Jackson were also in attendance.
College Classic on Federal Street
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The 5th Annual College Classic will be held on Federal Street starting at 5 p.m. on April 26, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park.
College Classic is an entertaining cultural experience that reaches out to urban and inner city youths. Representatives from local colleges and universities were on-hand to greet students and their parents while distributing information about their institution. Following the college fair, fans experienced a taste of college campus life with performances featuring an African American Alumni Greek Step Show, local youth steppers and a drum-line exhibition by area high school bands before they enter the game to cheer on the Buccos!
Latin American Reception
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The Pittsburgh Pirates, in conjunction with PNC Financial Services, hosted their annual Latin American Reception with the Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Latin American Cultural Union on April 12, 2007.
The reception, which was held at the Lexus Club at PNC Park, was attended by current Pirates players such as Tony Armas, Jose Castillo, Jose Bautista and Ronny Paulino, former Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen as well as Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield. In addition to a catered buffet of Latin American cuisine and Latin American music, the event offered Pirates players and their families the opportunity to interact with more than 400 guests.
The annual goal of the reception is to increase the awareness of Pittsburgh's Latin American community by reaching out to Pirates players and their families with Latin backgrounds and educating them on the opportunities available for them in the Pittsburgh area. With the help of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, all guests were given a 2007 Latin American Directory listing local restaurants, hospitals, clubs and businesses in Spanish.
Pittsburgh Pirates School March
The Pittsburgh Pirates held their first annual School March, honoring 1100 students for their excellence not only in the classroom but in the community as well. The Pirates recognized these students for displaying high academic achievement while presenting themselves as positive models within their school and community.
Students, teachers, and administrators from 15 Pittsburgh area schools were honored for their hard work in the classroom and community by the thrill of marching around the warning track at PNC Park while each individual school was announced over the speakers throughout the ballpark.
Each school held up bright banners and signs to claim their individual identities as they marched around the warning track at PNC Park.
The Pittsburgh Pirates salute the students, teachers and administrators from: McNaughter Education Center, North View Academy Elementary, 21st Century After School Program, Kelly School, Fort Pitt Elementary, Robert L. Vann Elementary, Burgwin School, Woolslair Elementary, Fulton Academy, Phillip Murray Elementary, Frick International School of Arts, Morningside Elementary, Allegheny Traditional Academy, Prospect Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
The Pirates are committed to promoting academic excellence through outreach programs such as the School March.
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