Educational Initiatives

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12th Annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay & Poetry Contest
Each year, the Detroit Tigers conduct an art, essay and poetry contest for area middle and high school students. The objective is to encourage students to express, in their own style, how Jackie Robinson has inspired them.
View some of this year's winners »

To celebrate the 61st Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers hosted their 12th annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay and Poetry contest on Tuesday, April 15. The winners of the contest were as follows:

Art
High School: Conor Reed, Rockford High School, Rockford MI
Middle School: Joey Miller, Sara Banks Middle School, Wixom, MI

Essay
High School: Jacob Belloli, Hanover-Horton High School, Horton, MI
Middle School: Mitchell Cooper, Sara Banks Middle School, Wixom, MI

Poetry
High School: Hannah Cheriyan, Detroit Country Day, Farmington Hills, MI
Middle School: Alexandra Choate, Muir Middle School, Milford, MI

Jackie Robinson Scholars and contest winners were honored before the Tigers game on Tuesday, April 15 against the Minnesota Twins as Jackie Robinson Day was celebrated at Comerica Park. Contest winners received two complimentary tickets to the game and were recognized during an on-field, pre-game ceremony.

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Attention Schools! Pepsi Perfect Attendance Day

The Tigers organization is proud to reward area students who have maintained perfect attendance throughout an entire marking period. This season, the club has selected Thursday, April 24 as Pepsi Perfect Attendance Day and is pleased to donate tickets to schools wishing to arrange a field trip to attend this special program. Download the 2008 Pepsi Perfect Attendance Day Ticket Request Form. Please note the deadline to submit a request for donation is Friday, March 21. Requests received after the deadline will not be processed.

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G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training)

What:		On May 24, 2007, over 1500 metro Detroit area students who participate in G.R.E.A.T. were rewarded with tickets to a Tigers home game for their successful participation in the program. Top ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) officers, local and state dignitaries, along with Tigers manager, Jim Leyland addressed a select number of graduates prior to the game.
Why:		The Tigers dedicate one game a year to the G.R.E.A.T. kids to support the students in their quest to remain gang and violence free.

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Kindervision

What:		A child safety program that disseminates valuable child safety information to families, in the form of video, voice recordings and fingerprints. This vital information is used to assist law enforcement in missing children cases. The program is administered by local law enforcement agencies.
Why:		To assist in the prevention of missing children cases.

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The Willie Horton Scholarship

What:		An annual scholarship awarded to a senior from Detroit's Northwestern High School who excels in academics and community involvement.
Why:		In 2000 the Detroit Tigers created this annual scholarship in honor of hometown hero and former Tiger, Willie Horton.