.png)
In unison, the kids in Holly Lang’s second grade class at Marengo Elementary School yelled “Go Dodgers!”
Documenting their enthusiasm was a news crew from KTLA TV, on the South Pasadena campus last week to capture Lang and her students’ strong support of the team.
As the major league club continues its pursuit of a third straight trip to the World Series, Lang told KTLA reporter Jennifer McGraw she designs lesson plans around the team, including writing letters to the Dodgers and studying oral language.
“Everything is Dodgers,” said Lang on camera. “In room 8 we are big Dodger fans.”
Off camera, Lang explained her passion for the sport and team, saying: “Baseball is where my childhood meets the adult Holly. I have many memories of going to games and developing a love for the sport. I love passing that enthusiasm on to my second graders. I’ll be walking down the hall at school and students will shout out, ’Go Dodgers!’ as they walk by me! I love that.”
While she rattles off Dodger greats of the past like Ron Cey, Davey Lopes and Steve Garvey, Lang recognizes that current player Huyn-Jin Ryu is a contender for the Cy Young award, and outfielder Cody Bellinger is up for the league’s most valuable player award.
“We are stacked with talent and I know 2019 is our year!” she said. “We’ve been waiting since ‘88 for a Dodger World Series title. The Dodgers had a franchise record of 106 wins this season!”
Lang has been teaching for nearly 30 years, 20 of those at Marengo – the school she attended growing up in the city. “I wore Dodger shirts to school then, back in the 70s and I’m still wearing them now!”
As word gets out she has a collection of about 200 bobbleheads, students will often show up to her classroom with one in hand. “So sweet,” she gushed, showing that familiar bright smile.
Nearly everyone of Lang’s students came to school dressed in Dodgers’ blue last Thursday as the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals was about to begin that night.
With the KTLA camera rolling, McGraw asked the class, “Who is going to be No. 1?”
Everyone knew what was coming next.
“Go Dodgers!” exclaimed the young fans.
