Originally Published November 6, 2021

A strong leader as an underclassman. That might be the definition of Hometown Hero Allison Bond of McAlester.

“A good leader is a role model to the other kids. It doesn’t matter if you’re winning or losing, you always keep a positive mind set,” said the well-spoken junior who is captain of both the Lady Buffs soccer and fastpitch softball teams as well as president of the junior class at McAlester High School. “I really lead by example but lately I’ve been trying to get better at leading physically and teaching and encouraging.”

Allison enjoys both soccer and softball but says that there’s something about soccer that just speaks to her. The recently completed fastpitch season had its ups and downs, the worst of which according to Allison, was being Covid-quarantined for two weeks.

“Keeping up with school work while trying to stay sharp and in shape for softball was a tremendous struggle and it’s hard to imagine having to do that for longer than a couple of weeks,” said Bond.

Allison says she like to watch the OU softball team because of the way they interact and support each other as a team and hopes that she’s able to bring that quality to her teams. She credits her dad for always pushing her in both athletics and academics to do something a little better every day. Though the fastpitch season ended earlier than the Lady Buffs would have liked, they were still winners as they were named the Class 5A Academic state champs and were honored at the recently completed championships in Oklahoma City.

“Winning that award was a huge honor for our team,” said Bond whose leadership undoubtedly played a part in pushing her teammates off the field as well as on the diamond.

As her junior year continues, Allison Bond has a goal that demonstrates why she is considered a Hometown Hero.

“One of my main goals is to be not just the best leader on the team, but also the best person I can be off the field and doing both of those is what I strive to do every day. I think a Hometown Hero is someone that others look up to and take something from them that they can use in their own lives.”