Wildcat Baseball Gesture Leaves Lasting Impression By CAREY HEAD News Lifestyles Editor An unexpected show of respect to a passing funeral procession created a happy memory for the grieving families. Ponca Citian Barbara Impson shared in an email how the event unfolded as the funeral cortege bearing Dorothy Impson passed Ponca City High School. “We held Dorothy’s funeral last Saturday and, on the way to Resthaven, we travelled up Fifth Street. As we drove past the Wildcat baseball field, we witnessed a beautiful sight: The entire team held their hats up high and faced the procession as we drove past. It was an emotional scene.” She continued, “Most of the relatives [in the procession] are from large cities and don’t experience cars pulling over or baseball teams raising hats as processions escort their loved ones to a final resting place. This was the topic of conversation as we exited our cars at Resthaven.” Some family members were moved by the display to post comments to Facebook or send emails to the Ponca City High School principal. One such email, from a Topeka, Kan., family member to the principal, included the statement, “As the funeral procession passed by, your players all stopped and raised their hats. We all were so moved by this show of respect and honor. We greatly appreciate this. It was very heart-warming to see these young men show such maturity.” A Facebook post by Danielle Hoover added more depth to how the team’s gesture affected the witnesses. Hoover is a Po-Hi graduate living in Los Angeles and working at the Disney Channel and as a writer. “I was in a procession for a funeral on Saturday and as we passed the Ponca City High School baseball field, I noticed the team had formed somewhat of a line and turned to face the street with their hats held high in our direction ... Wow. Was one of the most moving images I’ve witnessed lately. (Ahem, I may have teared up a skosh.) ... I just wanted to give them a shout out and say thanks for keepin’ it classy, PCWB! Made me proud to be an Okie from PC.”