Milwaukee 6th grader scores a hit with essay about striking out bullying

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Ahead of Monday night's baseball game, a few of the Milwaukee Brewers made a quick visit to Cooper Elementary School on Milwaukee's south side to meet a special middle schooler, a sixth grader named Kayla Jimenez.

Kayla Jimenez

 

Jimenez wrote an essay about anti-bullying -- and was selected out of several hundred entries in a competition called "Strike Out Bullying" -- sponsored by the Brewers.

"The way she's able to articulate herself. And she's very mature and understanding of seeing things from other kids' points of view," said Tammy Kukla, Jimenez's teacher.

Since the Brewers were behind the campaign, two of their own came to meet Jimenez and her classmates in person -- second baseman Scooter Gennett and left fielder Khris Davis.

"It's what's really important. We go out on the field. We play a game. We have fun. It is our job. But this is the stuff that really impacts others," said Gennett.

The Brewers made Jimenez her very own jersey and provided her with tickets to Monday's game. She says winning felt like a long shot until she was encouraged by her class.

"I didn't believe them at first, but I knew that they had faith and I could do it all along. But when I found out I won, I was pretty excited," said Jimenez.

Kayla Jimenez

 

The entire school has been incorporating anti-bullying programs and Jimenez's essay speaks about the students' team effort.

"All the kids contributed and Kayla basically brought us home, with a home run hit!" said Kukla.

For her efforts, Jimenez got the chance to throw out the first pitch at Monday's Brewers game against the Chicago White Sox.

Kayla Jimenez