Think Together Student Knocks Summer Out of the Park

The summer sun beams down on Angel Stadium as thousands of fans fill the stands cheering you on, and the jumbotron lights up with your face. The challenge is simple yet a bit daunting: steal third base before time runs out. For eighth grade student David from Baldwin Park Unified School District, it’s a special moment where confidence sprouted and lasting memories were created.

“My experience at the Angel game was scary at first because I was overthinking a lot, but after a while I relaxed a bit and cleared my mind. Once I got on the field, I was so happy to be there,” said David. “It was my first time being on the big screen and having a whole crowd in a stadium cheer for me. So, it was nice!”

At every Angels home game, one young fan is selected to “Steal Third,” racing to uproot third base and return it within 30 seconds. If successful, they keep the base and pose for a photo with their favorite Angels player.

This summer, it was David’s chance to step onto the Angel Stadium field and make his mark in front of thousands in the stands. Hand-picked from the 1,176 students across 12 Baldwin Park Unified school sites Think Together served this year with summer programming; he proudly represented both his afterschool program and school district.

While the excitement of stealing third this summer base was thrilling, David says his favorite part of the experience came afterward. Seeing the Angel players cheering him on from the sidelines made the moment feel even more memorable, and getting the chance to meet one of the players inside the official team locker room was an experience he never imagined having.

David’s Think Together Site Program Manager Cassandra Gonzalez was the one who selected David to “Steal Third” at the Angel’s game and believes he was the perfect fit for this experience.

“We chose David to steal third base for the Think Summer field trip because he is a great student who is dedicated to his schoolwork,” said Cassandra. “He is very charismatic and is always there to help those in need.”

David has been a Think Together student since early elementary school, so he has truly left his mark within his Think Together community. His time within the program is coming to an end this summer, as he prepares to begin his high school journey in the upcoming school year.

“Even though I’m sad to end my time with Think Together as a student, I want to come back as a volunteer at my elementary school to see my old program leaders and help them out,” said David. “My elementary school Think Together program really was a special place because they showed me kindness, happiness, love, and also taught me to be the best I could be.”

David’s story reflects the kinds of experiences thousands of students enjoyed through Think Summer. This year, Think Together served over 23,000 students at more than 200 school sites across California, providing enriching experiences that encouraged learning, connection, and personal growth. Every learning experience reflected our shared commitment to helping students thrive, both in and beyond the classroom.

David’s unforgettable day at Angel Stadium is just one example of the meaningful summer experiences that help students build confidence, discover new possibilities, and create memories that last.

Alongside school district partners, Think Together is proud to make experiences like David’s possible that inspire students to dream bigger and help students discover new possibilities and change the odds for their future.