Beetle Boy saves a damsel in distress!
At first glance, Michael appears to be a normal 6-year-old. Weighing in at 40 pounds and standing just under 4 feet tall, Michael's disguise is perfect -- he's even missing one of his bottom teeth. But Michael is far from your average first-grader.
During a typical afternoon at his elementary school playground, Michael came into contact with an unusually large beetle. With one touch of its feelers, the beetle unleashed Michael's alter ego -- Spider-Man's superhero sidekick "Beetle Boy."
Days later, Beetle Boy, called into action by local news reports, donned his yellow and red costume equipped with a shell, mask, boots, gloves and antennas and set out to stop the dastardly Green Goblin and bring safety and peace back to Pittsburgh. The half-pint hero in a hard shell mustered all of his superpowers to rescue a damsel in distress at the Pittsburgh Zoo, save the Pitt Panther mascot from certain doom, and restore the city's water supply.
Beetle Boy can now rest knowing that he saved the day.
Beetle Boy finally captured the Green Goblin outside of the courthouse as his nemesis prepared to destroy the building. Hundreds cheered as the Mayor of Pittsburgh presented Pittsburgh's favorite superhero with a key to the city and declared the day "Beetle Boy Day."
Spider-Man, having gotten word of all the excitement, returned from his vacation early to congratulate Beetle Boy and to promote him to a full-fledged superhero.
The residents of Pittsburgh now rest easy, knowing that their city is protected by a very special 6-year-old crime fighter.
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Yay - that was me! I'm now 13. It's hard to believe that was 7 years ago.
- Michael 01/03/2007 15:12 -
Michael! That was you? You're really 13 now? Wow. It must have been fun to be a superhero! I'll be 13 this week. Jeez, when I saw the video I just sorta thought it happened recently. Mr. Snodgrass was sure nice to make your dream come true!
- Lindsey 06/17/2007 9:53 -
It was 7 wonderful years ago, you're growing like a weed! We love you very much.
- Jessica 06/05/2007 5:22 -
Hi Michael,
I LOVE the Make-A-Wish Foundation's TV commercial sharing your story! It makes me smile every time it comes on (and they show it pretty regularly in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton TV market area).
YOU ARE a very special young man and should be very proud such an important cause has used YOU to spread the word about their cause.
I hope you are doing well, and I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year to come in 2008.
- Seth 01/04/2008 5:00 -
WOW! What an amazing adventure Micheal had! He is very lucky to have such a wonderful dream come true.
- Amanda 11/24/2007 10:28 -
Oh my goodness, my husband and I see your commercial every Sunday and love it. We always wondered about the rest of the story. Now we know. You were so cute, especially when you take extra measure and kick Mr. Snodgrass. Awesome!
- Deborah 04/21/2008 9:57 -
I saw your pictures, Michael, on the back of a Phoenix cab, and learned about your wish!
Glad you're still with us! Do you get teased about your wish now that you are much older?
Live well, laugh often and love much!
- Bonnie A. 09/23/2008 19:32 -
im so happy for him
- Billy 07/13/2009 23:47 -
Wow, I didnt know you were 13! I love that commercial so much I had to do research to find out more about you. It really touched my heart. You are so cute in the commercial. I say a prayer for you every night. Take care of yourself! Lydia
- Lydia 06/03/2009 20:23 -
i am so happy that your wish came true....but the question i have been wondering is what did you had?
- rani 05/04/2009 18:44 -
ur so cutee
- tirisha 04/17/2009 10:50 -
Michael, you are my hero even if you don't save lives. You have gave me a new prespective on life. You became my hero because you fought the biggest villian of all! I look up to you and I know many do. Thank you for being my hero.
- Kristina 12/11/2009 21:34 -
I am the Lead Engineer on the Zoo Train- I am so proud that my train was able to help your wish come true!
- Chris 02/21/2010 11:49
