Lady Lions Blast Past the Bulldogs
By Kari Routh

In the Area Final Tuesday night at TWU field, the Lady Lions had a come from behind victory over the Howe Lady Bulldogs, 11-6.

After the 1st inning, Ponder’s fans were in a state of shock; for the first time this season, the Lady Lions were down by 4 runs.

“It was weird. We were all kind of stunned. But, after they scored the four runs in the first inning, we all knew it was time to get serious and get our bats going,” Shortstop Katelyn Woods said.

And in the top of the third inning, they did. Pinch hitter Tara Prather started off the inning by reaching base on a Howe error. Then, Katelyn Woods hit a double in the left-center gap knocking in Prather and giving the Lady Lions their first run. Consecutive hits from Mychelle Gregg and Ashton McBride pulled the Lady Lions within in one run. Nicki Franks got on base with a walk. Amanda Marez then stepped up big for the Lady Lions, hitting in the tying run. The score remained 4-4 until the 5th.

Ashton McBride started off on the mound. But, in the bottom of the 4th Wanda Malone took over after McBride had a minor injury on the bases. Malone struck out 10 and walked only 3 in the last 4 innings.

The Lady Lions scored four more runs in the 5th, two in the 6th, and one in the 7th inning to bring Ponder to a 7 run lead. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Howe attempted to make a come back, cutting the lead to 5. But it would be too little too late.

The Lady Lions will play either Anna or Blooming Grove next week in the Regional Quarter Final.

Softball Girls Looking for Long Playoff Run

Danger Without Intentions
By Kari Routh

The Drug and Alcohol Awareness program “Danger Without Intentions” was at Ponder High School on April 27th. The program included a presentation in the gym, seatbelt and speed checks in the parking lots before school, and an actual car involved in an alcohol-related wreck.

37 students were found not wearing seatbelts in the seatbelt check, and the majority of cars exceeded the 10 mph speed limit in the speed check.

The presentation showed scenes from alcohol-related crashes and included several accounts of crashes from the presenter. During lunch, students put on goggles that simulate blood alcohol levels of .08 and .175 to see and feel the effects of alcohol.

Through this program, the students of Ponder High School were able to see the consequences of drinking and driving.

Prom through the Eyes
of Two Seniors
By Stephanie Seyler and Brittany Schmitz

This past Saturday, April 28th, Prom took place at Sneaky Pete’s with the beachside theme “Tropical Oasis.” The decorations were really nice; with lighted palm trees, senior glasses with colored sand, and a chocolate fondue fountain with fruit to dip into. Early on there was a variety of music to dance to, and an area for students to get their pictures taken by the water. Midway through the night, Seniors Justin Ream and Ashton McBride were crowned Mr. and Miss PHS. After crowning, Senior Kristyn Matus claimed the top prize in the dance-off. After that the party really started when Senior Hank Kennedy sang karaoke to “How You Remind Me.” Many other people followed suit and sang some of their favorites.

Overall, the night was another great memory of our senior year.