Kansas City Royals Honor "Hit the Books" Winner

OMAHA, Neb. - When 9-year-old Joel Nigro from Black Elk Elementary in Omaha was told his original artwork had been selected from a couple thousand entries to serve as the official bookmark for the Omaha Storm Chasers "Hit the Books" literacy program, he thought it was pretty cool. His winning entry included mascots Stormy, Vortex and Casey all appearing to run around the bases at Werner Park.

The Storm Chasers planned a school-wide assembly at Black Elk on Friday, January 18 to make the announcement. Only Joel, his parents Alex and Sarah Nigro, his teacher and the school principal knew about the honor. But what Joel didn't know was that the Kansas City Royals Caravan was in town and they thought they should come celebrate with Joel.

2012 American League All-Star Billy Butler and Royals Hall of Famer John Mayberry, along with Royals Pitcher of the Year Greg Holland and recent Storm Chasers standout second baseman Johnny Giavotella, showed up to support Joel and the "Hit the Books" program. Also, as a special gesture from the Royals, Joel was awarded two actual stadium seats from Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City.

"I have never accomplished something this big, it feels really good," Joel Nigro said. "It was awesome to be sitting next to Billy Butler in the stadium seats, I never thought that would happen when I won the contest. I play baseball and am a big Royals fan. This is one of my best memories."

Since 2007 the Omaha Storm Chasers "Hit the Books" literacy program, presented by Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) and Sump Memorial Library, have encouraged area elementary students to "Hit the Books" to show them that reading is an essential skill to have. The program reaches more than 13,000 students and 750 teachers at 40 schools in the Omaha Metro area.

Teachers at each school determine four different reading goals for the program. Students who "round the bases," thereby meeting their teacher's set goals, receive four different prizes. Students who complete the program will have the opportunity this year to earn the bookmark created by Joel, a pencil, a ruler and a prize pack which includes a ticket to a select Storm Chasers home game.

"We couldn't have thought of a better way to announce the bookmark winner this year than to bring the Kansas City Royals Caravan to Black Elk Elementary and personally congratulate Joel," said Andrea Stava, Director of Community Relations for the Omaha Storm Chasers. "To have Joel's parents in attendance was even better to see the look on his face."