McFatridge named 2024 Crossman Award Winner
May 9—As the school year draws to a close, there are multiple celebrations to recognize and honor students, including graduating seniors. Along with these celebrations and honors, the traditional Crossman Award was presented this week in Duncan.
During the Duncan High School Awards Ceremony, which took place at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at New Hope Baptist Church, many well-deserving students received their year-end awards.
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Duncan Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Channa Byerly announced the five Crossman nominees as well as their involvement, awards and achievements.
This year, Caleb McFatridge received the honor as the 2024 winner of the Crossman Award.
Other nominees included Emersen Villagrana, Allison Bailey, Landon Holthaus and Callen Villagrana.
McFatridge, 18, is the son of Hope and Allan McFatridge. He has a 4.0 unweighted GPA and 4.43 weighted GPA. While at DHS, McFatridge participated in track, cross country, student council, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and several other clubs.
McFatridge said winning the Crossman Award is "really awesome" and he's just honored to get the opportunity to be apart of the nominees.
"It was something I really never expected," he said. "The fact that I was even nominated was something very cool and surprising and winning feels even better."
He said it's an honor he feels undeserving of, because several of his fellow classmates are just as deserving of the award.
"It's an honor," he said.
As stated on the plaque, the holder attains and maintains the following qualities to the highest standards: "citizenship, industry, reliability, co-operation, physical vitality, personality, judgement, initiative, leadership and religious attitude."
Aside from high school activities, McFatridge is involved throughout the community, including the New Hope Baptist Church youth group and its student leadership program and worship band.
McFatridge said he plans to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall and he plans to major in finance at the Spears School of Business campus at OSU.
"I'm looking forward to meeting new people and reconnecting with some old friends," he said.
He said the new environment is exciting for him and he looks forward to discovering everything on campus.
In honor of his fellow nominees, McFatridge said they are his best friends.
"We all go to the same church and we all will go to the same school next year," he said.
McFatridge said Holthaus will be his college roommate.
"Landon, thanks for being one of my best friends," he said.
To next year's class, McFatridge said to stay involved in as much as they can their senior year.
"It goes by really fast," he said. "Just keep at it. It will come to an end before you know it."
