A 14-year-old, who never wanted anything more than to blend in with her classmates, was the center of attention at Lakota West Freshman School Thursday.
During an afternoon assembly, it was impossible for freshman Meggie Zahneis to blend in when she was recognized by Major League Baseball as the first Breaking Barriers envoy and MLB.com youth reporter in front of the entire student body and special guests Sharon Robinson (Jackie Robinson’s daughter), Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and Reds COO Phil Castellini.
Robinson actually met Zahneis last spring when she visited Lakota Ridge Jr. School to honor the then eighth grader for winning the grand prize in the 2011 MLB Breaking Barriers’ essay contest, which provides students in grades 4-8 with a chance to share their stories and how they use Jackie Robinson’s values to face their own barriers.
In her winning essay, Zahneis wrote “It’s my dream that someday, just like Mr. Robinson paved the way for African-Americans to play baseball, I can pave the way, through my writing, for other kids with special needs.”
Two weeks ago, Zahneis earned her chance to do just that when MLB Commissioner Bud Selig called her personally to offer her the job of MLB.com youth reporter.
“Obviously I am excited for the opportunity to write on MLB.com and be able to talk to my fellow kids and teens, but as the Breaking Barriers’ envoy I am also able to do that for my fellow people with disabilities as well,” said Zahneis, who was born with the rare disorder called HSAN II (Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy, type 2) that has given Zahneis the inability to feel pain, temperature and touch the same way as everyone else.
Those disabilities, along with being completely deaf without the aid of her cochlear implants, have not stopped Zahneis from dreaming about being a writer.
After talking to Selig three times on the phone in November about her new reporter gig, Zahneis found out she will be covering events like the 2012 All-Star Game and World Series, as well as working as an assistant Reds beat writer.
Ironically, local sports reporters were attendance at Thursday’s assembly in hopes to find out the latest information on a possible long-term contract for Phillips.
“Being objective is going to be issue,” Zahneis said of covering her favorite team. “I am a huge Reds fan, but I am just going to have to soak it up and try.”
There was no breaking news on Phillips’ contract. He did say that he would continue to be inspired by Zahneis even when she is asking him the tough questions.
“It is all good. That is what is all about. She will be out there just trying to do her job, just like I will be trying to tell her about my job,” Phillips joked.
“Her essay really inspired me. The things that she has had to go through in life are like a blessing in disguise. The way that her words can touch people, that is what really touched my heart. For me to be here is really an honor.”
Phillips is only one of many professionals in MLB that have been impressed by Zahneis.
“We are here riding her coattails today,” said Castellini, who told the entire student body that the Reds will pay for them to attend a game together in April.
“What I have heard from the commissioner’s office, they have never seen him more moved from anyone’s individual story like this one … sometimes fans are moved by athletes’ stories and I think today is the day league office professionals and players are being moved by her story.”
Posted in: Events, News, School events, Schools, Sports, Student achievements |
