SAN DIEGO — Padres All-Star Manny Machado stopped by Paradise Hills Elementary on Monday to surprise the top students in San Diego Unified's school attendance challenge. CBS 8 was there when he walked in to see the kids go nuts.
“Just seeing their faces when you come out, hearing the cheers, just the excitement that they have, I think that just brings joy,” said Machado.
The Padres superstar third baseman congratulated the students for coming in first place and beating out all other schools in the district. Machado had a few words of encouragement.
“You guys went above and beyond. You guys dedicated yourselves to coming to school every day,” said Machado to the crowd of students in UTK through 5th grade. “Just know that if you guys put your mind to it, you can accomplish it.”
When he finished speaking, the students could be heard chanting, “Let’s go Padres! Let’s go Padres!”
It’s all part of the "Be a Pro, Always Go" campaign to help address absenteeism following the pandemic. The challenge for San Diego Unified Schools was to improve attendance from March 1 through April 30. Paradise Hills Elementary won the challenge, having made the highest percentage gain in attendance.
“To encourage kids to come to school and to be better every single day. I know it’s tough, it’s tough, it’s really hard, it’s not easy but they made the sacrifice,” said Machado.
Aside from the schoolwide achievement, five students have perfect attendance so far this school year. Student Edgar Lara is one of them.
“It’s important because you get to be smarter each day, and you get to do different things,” said Lara.
As a reward, all the students here from UTK through 5th grade are going to the Padres game on May 27 against the Florida Marlins.
“I’m very excited,” said fifth-grader Cassandra Talles.
“We’re going to crush the other team, we are,” said student Kyle Martin.
Second-grader Malik Ransom had his hat signed by Machado. CBS 8 asked him about the importance of coming to school.
“You have to be there every day so you can learn,” said Ransom.
Every student received a Manny Machado bobble head, and most importantly, the message was received clearly by students.
“That we should always try our best and never give up," said fifth-grader Isaiah Marcial.
"Like the quote that he said, ‘Always be pro and always go,’” said Saul Garcia, also in fifth grade.
“So we can get our education and one day when we grow up, we can be like Manny,” added Marcial.
For the Padres All-Star, being a role model and having a positive impact on the youth is all in a day's work.
“For us to come here and help them out any way we can and encourage them, and give them inspiration, give them a high-five, just say hi, I think that will go a long way,” said Machado.
Students, staff, and families at the runner-up Fletcher Elementary School will also receive tickets to attend a game at Petco Park.
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