The Irregulars Salute ZeAndre Orr

Here at Ananka's Diary, we often post stories about girls who've accomplished the amazing or the unexpected. We've featured girls who've taken down muggers, foiled burglars, kicked butt at basketball, or exposed the lies of soda companies. Now it's time to honor a fifth-grade boy who's done what few other boys have been brave enough to do. Play double-dutch.

Double-dutch has long been considered a girls' sport. (Why? Who knows. These sorts of things rarely make any sense.) In fact, when ZeAndre first told his mother that he wanted to join his school's team, she tried her best to discourage him. But the boy had a passion for jumping, and he refused to let anyone get in the way. Even school bullies. When word got out that ZeAndre had made the team, he was teased, taunted, and even kicked down a flight of stairs--all for playing a "girl's game."

It took a remarkable display of guts and determination, but ZeAndre didn't give up. And it's a good thing he didn't. Earlier this month, his team took home a second place trophy at the annual Holiday Classic Double Dutch Competition at the Apollo Theater!

Though I usually hate stories with morals, this has a good one. Never let anyone tell you what you can or can't accomplish!

Watch a short movie about ZeAndre at the New York Times.