Sometimes the best examples of Ponder 44 happen in the moments no one planned.
Two moments surrounding Ponder Lions football recently showed exactly what it means to remember who we are and who we represent, whether that means making a young Lion feel special or simply noticing something that needs to be done and doing it.
Leaders in Action
Ponder parent Nicole Hopper shared a moment she witnessed following Meet the Lions.
A young Ponder Lion walked onto the court wide-eyed at Meet The Lions, carrying a football and a Sharpie. Our varsity football players saw him and immediately rose to the occasion.
One by one, the players signed his football, surrounding the young boy with kindness and leaving him with a smile Nicole won't soon forget.
“Kindness poured out of each varsity player signing the ball,” Nicole shared. “It was such a proud moment to witness for a Ponder resident.”
It may have been a small moment for our athletes, but to one young boy, it was anything but small.
That's I | Integrity in Character and L | Leads with Purpose in action. Our younger Lions are watching, and our varsity athletes showed them what leadership can look like.
Taking Care of the Den
Then, under the Friday night lights, another Ponder 44 moment unfolded in the bleachers.
Natalie Garcia, Brandi Nowicki, Nathan Berman and Ashley Berman noticed something that needed to be done. Trash had been left throughout the bleachers, so they grabbed a trash bag and started picking it up.
No one asked them. No one assigned them the job. They simply saw a need and did the right thing.
It's a simple but powerful example of another part of Ponder 44:
Lions take care of the den and the pride. Leave it better than you found it.
Taking pride in Ponder means taking care of our people and our places, even when no one is watching.
Two different moments. All showing that Ponder 44 doesn't have to be something big.
It's noticing the person in front of you. It's noticing what needs to be done. It's choosing kindness. It's doing the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do.
That's Ponder 44 in Action. 🦁❤️
Remember who we are and who we represent.
Have you seen Ponder 44 in action? Big or small, share your story with us: https://www.ponderisd.net/forms/ponder-44-in-action
