ORANGE, Calif. — May 28, 2015 — Cambridge Elementary School’s staff and students were all decked out in Angels gear this morning for an assembly celebrating their “adoption” by the Angels and the Angels Baseball Foundation. Angels’ pitcher Hector Santiago, Angels’ pregame radio host Roger Lodge, and the Angels Strike Force spirit squad visited the school’s campus to stress the importance of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. 

“He’s been where you’ve been and he’s a hard worker just like you,” Lodge told the students about Santiago. “There’s no substitution for hard work. If you want it, you have to work hard for it.” 

"Every day is practice and hard work,” Santiago affirmed. “Let’s get good grades and have fun this year, guys!”

During the assembly, students also asked Santiago questions ranging from how to become a Major League pitcher – “throw a lot of strikes” – to his favorite flavor of ice cream – “vanilla” – but his main message remained loud and clear: “Stay focused, work hard, stay in school, and follow the right path.” 

As part of the Adopt‐A‐School program, Cambridge also received a $2,000 grant for P.E. and reading programs, school supply packs for each student, 100 tickets to Angel Stadium, and an autographed Adopt-A-School banner.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Angels Baseball Foundation have “adopted” a new group of five local elementary schools and five local high schools every year since 2007.