5 essay winners to carry the bats for Pavlik Celebrity Softball Slam

The young writers say the boxer is a role model and Youngstown’s hero.

STAFF REPORT

STRUTHERS — Valley children have been selected to be batboys and batgirls for today’s Kelly Pavlik Celebrity Softball Slam.

The game, at 6 p.m. at Cene Park downtown, is a benefit for the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.

A donation of $5 will be collected at the gate. Kids 12 and under can be admitted free using tickets printed Thursday and today in The Vindicator.

To be a batboy or batgirl, the youths had to write an essay on why middleweight boxing champion is great. Here are the winning essays:

Harper DeMay, 10:

“I like Kelly Pavlik because he fights hard, he’s nice to all, helps many charities, and most of all ... he loves Youngstown! If I had a hero, it would be him. Kelly is strong, confident and powerful. He’s so many great things that I am proud to live in the same town as him. Kelly has a huge heart, which is the best thing anyone could have. He has not lost one single fight, which makes him tough and a winner. Even when he gets knocked down, he keeps fighting. For me, Kelly Pavlik is the best man in Youngstown.”

Justin Marrie, 7:

“I like Kelly Pavlik because he boxes, and I think I might want to be a boxer. I also like that Pavlik plays baseball, because I play baseball.”

Riko Rodriguez, 8:

“I like Kelly Pavlik because he is a great fighter. He is very strong. He worked very hard since he was a kid to someday be the Champion. I like Kelly because he came from a small town and made it ‘Big.’ Someday, I can too. I like how he always thanks Youngstown after his fights. I like how now that he is famous, he likes to help kids and people in need. He always takes the time to give kids his autograph. I like him because he is a good person — a champion — and my hero.”

Matt Pontuti, 13:

“The reason I like Kelly Pavlik is not only because he is the best-known person in Youngstown since Ray Mancini, but he knows some of my family. The reason is because he was invited to my cousin’s graduation party from Niles McKinley High School. My aunt had Kelly in her kitchen and was drinking beer before he became the pride of Youngstown. He knows my cousins fairly well and would remember their name if he was told them to him. Ever since he fought Edison Miranda, he caught my eye in a way like all the old Boom-Boom videos I have seen and have been told by my parents.”

Jowad Atway, 10:

“Kelly Pavlik is my hero — as well as Youngstown’s hero. He makes Youngstown proud to be the holder of the middleweight champion title. In my eyes, Kelly Pavlik is the greatest boxer of all time. I would love to be a batboy at the Celebrity Softball Slam. To hang out with Kelly and the other local celebrities would be an honor. Kelly came to my school in Canfield and told us about how important education is. He also encouraged us to stay in school. I admire how brave he is in the ring. If he ever gets knocked out or pushed to the ground, he gets up and stays strong. He is a living legend, and to be his batboy would mean the world to me.”