Eagle Elementary School in the Patchogue-Medford School District recently welcomed local children’s author Angela O’Hoppe for a special visit that combined storytelling, inspiration, and an unforgettable surprise. Joining her was her son, Logan O’Hoppe, catcher for the Los Angeles Angels, making the event especially memorable for students and staff.
Ms. O’Hoppe captivated students during an engaging schoolwide assembly, where she spoke about the power of belief, perseverance, and confidence. She led a read-aloud of her 2025 children’s book, If You Choose to Believe Them, which tells Logan’s story of overcoming obstacles and defying the odds on his journey to Major League Baseball. The message encouraged students to believe in themselves, trust their abilities, and remain focused on their goals even when faced with challenges.
Following the reading, Logan joined his mother on stage to take part in an interactive activity centered on building self-esteem. Students enthusiastically repeated the affirmation, “Yes I can!” as Logan reinforced the importance of confidence, hard work, and surrounding oneself with positive influences. His presence and personal story brought the book’s message to life in a powerful and relatable way.
Fifth-grade students later participated in a smaller, hands-on session with Angela and Logan. During the discussion, students asked thoughtful questions about the writing process, the journey to becoming a professional athlete, and the steps needed to achieve long-term dreams. Students also completed an activity identifying people who believe in them and explored strategies for tuning out negative voices while focusing on encouragement and support.
The visit left a lasting impression, inspiring students to believe in themselves and approach challenges with confidence and determination.