PITTSBURGH -- Kirsten Zinsser loves converting those around her into Pittsburgh fans. But the past year, that effort has taken a backseat as she battled invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer.
The winner of the Pirates' annual Honorary Bat Girl contest, which recognizes a fan committed to fighting back against breast cancer, grew up in Gibsonia, Pa., and attended Penn State. Four years ago, Zinsser moved to Arlington, Va., to teach first grade and special education.
In the middle of Washington Nationals territory, Zinsser hangs the Terrible Towel in her classroom and, during their Writer's Workshop sessions, reads her students stories she writes about Steelers and Pirates games.