The Sacramento River Cats’ season is over, the final pitch has been thrown, but the team hit a home run nonetheless today.
And Dinger had a front row seat.
River Cats’ outreach coordinator Mike Osborn – known as “Mike on the Mic” – urged kids at American Lakes School never to bully classmates and to be kind, considerate and welcoming instead.
Osborn told of being verbally slapped as a young child because of his big ears and big nose. Classmates called him Dumbo the Elephant. He was hurt by the bullying, he felt worthless, and he kept to himself at recess, he said.
Usually bullies are not happy about themselves, so they tear classmates down to feel better themselves, Osborn said, adding that we all need to accept and love ourselves because “things that make us different don’t make us wrong.”
“When you show people that you love the way you are, you love yourself, there’s nothing they can say about that,” Osborn said.
“Not a single one of us should have to change the way we look because we’re all perfect and beautiful,” he said.
When you make classmates feel welcome, you make them feel comfortable and warm and happy, he said.
Osborn told the kids to focus on three things vital to their education: Attendance, Academics and Attitude … (Triple AAA, get it?)
Mike on the Mic” ended his presentation by leading the kids in a five-word chant: “I Can, I Will, Succeed!… I Can, I Will, Succeed!… I Can, I will, Succeed!”
He then sent a shiver of excitement through the crowd by announcing a surprise visit by the River Cats’ mascot, Dinger, who waved, shook, shimmied and posed for plenty of photos with his new young friends.
As students headed back to class, 7-year-old Tomai was asked what he’ll remember most about the presentation. To keep a positive attitude, he said.
Kierra, 8, said that if she saw someone being a bully, “I’d say, ‘Why are you picking on that little kid?’ and I’d say something to make him go away,” she said.
Well done, "Mike on the Mic."
