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Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947 marking a milestone in baseball history. As a way of celebrating this momentous event and keeping the memory of Jackie Robinson alive, the Detroit Tigers invited Michigan schools to participate in the 16th Annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay and Poetry Contest.
The contest was open to middle and high school students from the metropolitan Detroit region. Students entered the contest by submitting an original essay, poem, or work of art in honor of Jackie Robinson. The contest criteria were as follows:
ART: Create an artistic expression that captures the spirit of one or more of Jackie Robinson's nine values of success. Artwork can be a painting, drawing, or rendering no larger than 22" x 28".
ESSAY: Write an essay that chronicles "How can one or more of Jackie Robinson's nine values of success help build peace and prevent conflict?" Essays should be typewritten and doublespaced and limited to one page.
POETRY: Write a poem that explores one or more of Jackie Robinson's nine values of success - Courage, Determination, Teamwork, Persistence, Integrity, Citizenship, Justice, Commitment, and Excellence. Poems should be typewritten and double-spaced and limited to one page.
| CATEGORY | WINNER | SCHOOL | ENTRY |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Middle School Art | Byron Burbanks | Clark Preparatory Academy | View entry |
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| High School Art | Tiara Williams | Cody High School | View entry |
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| Middle School Essay | Chandler Shettleroe | Hilbert Middle School | View entry |
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| High School Essay | Emily Garman | Stoney Creek High School | View entry |
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| Middle School Poetry | Matthew Fealk | West Middle School | View entry |
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| High School Poetry | Donovan Dennis | University High School Academy | View entry |
Through a grant awarded by the Detroit Tigers Foundation, Detroit Tigers, in partnership with the Detroit Free Press and their Newspapers in Education program, have created an educational supplement to combat illiteracy in Michigan.
2011 marks the eighth year of the partnership between the Tigers and Newspapers in Education. The program makes in-school appearances with Tigers players, Tigers mascot PAWS and Detroit Free Press Newspapers in Education personnel to read to students and discuss the importance of literacy.
Schools may also register to receive unique Tigers literacy materials and posters to encourage students to include reading as part of their everyday activities.
Check below for some of the materials created through this partnership.
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In 2005 when outfielder Magglio Ordoñez signed with the Tigers he and his family made a financial commitment to the Detroit community by investing in the Detroit Tigers Foundation. In 2008, that investment resulted in the establishment of the Ordoñez Family Scholarship, an endowed scholarship awarded to a high school graduate from southwest Detroit.
Each year, through the generosity of the Ordoñez family and in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, one scholarship of $2,500 will be awarded to an eligible high school graduate. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, meaning each scholarship winner could receive up to $10,000 over his or her college career.
On July 7, the Ordoñez Family Scholarship was presented to Mykeita Brown, a graduate of César Chávez Academy, in southwest Detroit. Brown is the first of her family to graduate high school and enter college. She was the captain of the César Chávez Academy softball and track teams, earning nine varsity letters. She plans to attend the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and aspires to be a physician.
Previous Scholarship Recipients include:
2008 - Emma Aviles, Madonna University
2009 - Yanet Plascencia, University of Detroit Mercy
In 2000 the Detroit Tigers Willie Horton Scholarship was created to honor hometown hero and former Tiger, Willie Horton. Funded by the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, and administered by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan a $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a senior from Detroit's Northwestern High School, Horton's alma mater.
On July 6, the Detroit Tigers Willie Horton Scholarship was presented to Ashley Wilson and was honored by Tigers great Willie Horton and son, Darryl Horton. Wilson graduated with a 3.5 grade point average and was very involved in school organizations and community service. She plans to attend Eastern Michigan University to study education and earn a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling.
Previous scholarship recipients include:
2001 - William Hamption, Engineer with General Motors, Tuskegee University Graduate
2002 - LaSalle McKenzie, Graduate of Wayne State University
2003 - Shauntae Richardson, Senior at Eastern Michigan University, Business
2004 - Brittany Motley, Senior at Kentucky State University, Math
2005 - Mahogany Reed, Sophomore at Virginia Union University, Forensics
2006 - Adrienne Carter, Freshman at Tuskegee University, Accounting
2007 - Alonzo King, Freshman at Eastern Michigan University
2008 - Cierra Bell, Central State University, Biology
2009 - Jazmine Gaymon, Eastern Michigan University, Education
Learning to avoid violence to solve problems is imperative for children. The Tigers donate over 2,500 tickets to Detroit region students who work with law enforcement agencies and educators to set goals for themselves, resist peer pressure, learn how to resolve conflicts without violence and understand how gangs and youth violence negatively impact the quality of their lives. On May 18, Tigers Manager, Jim Leyland and officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) made a special visit to Comerica Park to address a select group of program graduates prior to the game.
