By Tanya Cheatham
On the fifth of May, enthusiastic parents, students, and community members alike filled the cafeteria for Bingo night at Ponderosa Middle School of the Klamath Falls City Schools District. Despite the rainy forecast and convincing clouds that loomed in the sky at the start of the event, the overall turnout was not harshly impacted in any way, and the packed house spoke a narrative of its own. It was certainly a festive and competitive-spirited occasion organized by the proud parents of the PTO. Further, the game caller, Mr. Nejar, who also wears the hat during the school week as English and Wellness teacher, set the tone for the night with his colorful and at times suspenseful game calling style that kept all engaged. The cost of admission was $5, and 10 games were included in that price, ranging from the standard version of bingo, four corners to post stamp to name a few. This made it possible for people of all ages to easily take part in the event as the basic games were familiar to all who love Bingo and were easy to catch on for the first timers in the room.
Additionally, there were frequent raffle drawings that kept the crowd on their toes, and optimistic that they may be selected at random. The room was packed with excited bingo players who all vowed for the opportunity to choose a prize of their liking. Crayons, rather than traditional bingo card ink daubers, were selected as they were appropriate to the atmosphere being in a school setting, kid friendly and successful in completing the task at hand! Aside from the excitement of the Bingo game and the raffle, the cafeteria was filled with the aroma of freshly popped popcorn, and many of the participants took pleasure in the refreshments that were made available for purchase at the snack bar. There was not an empty table visible and the sounds of people chatting and laughing echoed throughout the room. The sounds that could be heard, themselves told a tale of their own.
Even though not everyone could walk away a winner, each could walk away with a wonderful, carefree, fond memory, and hopefully a “better luck next time” mindset that one should adopt when chance is at play. Regardless of this aspect, the mood in the room remained upbeat as players anxiously colored over numbers with excitement; hopeful that they would get to scream out in glee if they were ever-so-lucky. It was evident as the occasion winded down to ending time, that the real prize could be said to have come from the gathering of commonly aligned people of the Klamath Falls close-knit community. Ponderosa Bingo night was a true depiction of success, from the large crowd to the colorful caller to the snack bar to all of whom came out from near and far. Kudos to the parents from the PTO and for those in attendance, from families and staff members, and all who made the night the positive experience that it was. It would not be a stretch to say that meaningful connections and lifelong memories will forever be embedded within everyone’s minds of this occasion. The smiles and bright eyes that lit up the room, indicated so.
