Lion’s Pride Café serves smiles and snacks

Ozona—The halls of Ozona High School smell a little sweeter this year, thanks to the Lion’s Pride Café, which opened Sept. 2 and has quickly become a favorite stop for students and staff alike. 

Every morning before school, the café serves an assortment of snacks, coffees, and specialty drinks, all made and sold by students in OHS special education teacher Peter Stevens’ class. 

Students Take the Lead 

Stevens said the café offers more than just morning refreshments; it’s also a learning opportunity for students who help run it. 

“Sometimes it's really busy, so I have to help because we don't have as big a staff as last year,” Stevens said. “But I mostly try to oversee and assist the students that are working. I might offer suggestions on what they need to do to get through a tough situation.”  

Students like Jordan Parks and Sadie Mesa prepare iced coffees, hot cocoa, lemonade and handle transactions at the register. 

New Drinks, New Favorites 

The menu has grown this year, offering several creative new options. Parks said one of her favorites is already becoming a hit. 

“I recommend they try the lemonade pom-pom,” Parks said. “It's like lemonade with whipped cream with sugar on top, and it's really good.”   

Even staff members have their go-to orders. 

“The ice blended coffee, they love that. I recommend it,” attendance clerk Maria Perez said. 

Honoring Teachers, One Treat at a Time 

This school year, Stevens and his students decided to theme some of the café’s menu items around OHS teachers and staff. 

“For this school year, we decided on honoring teachers,” Stevens said. “At the beginning of the school year, we had the Twilight Cookie for Miss Garza and Coach Garza because they had a grandchild. [It was] a sugar cookie with a light dusting of blue sugar and some stars. Then, we had the Welder Cookie for Mr. Martin since he's a welding teacher. It was a brownie with roasted marshmallow on top.” 

The café also created homecoming-themed treats, including the Pom-Pom Lemonade for Miss Villanueva, the Gridiron Chocolate Chip Cookie in honor of Coach Pitts, and the Kamchok Kick, a tangy lemonade sprinkled with Tajín and sugar. 

“A lot of kids like Tajín,” Stevens said. “It's a nice little spice, not overwhelming and sweet.”  

A Daily Dose of Positivity 

From its creative menu to its cheerful service, the Lion’s Pride Café has become a staple of morning life at OHS, a place where students learn, laugh, and serve their school community one cup at a time.