Mr. & Mrs. SFA

SFA’s Alumni Association introduced Craig Wright and Chrystina Wyatt as Mr. and Miss SFA Saturday at halftime of the men’s basketball game.

SFA Alumni Association President Jeff Davis and SFA President Baker Pattillo joined in presenting the awards.

Family and friends of Mr. and Miss SFA also joined in the celebration.

“Winning this award is definitely the highlight of my college career, and I am truly humbled to have received this honor,” Wyatt said. “I feel very blessed to have accomplished everything I have and even more so to be selected for this esteemed title.”

Each year SFA’s Alumni Association awards the title of Mr. and Miss SFA to exemplary students who well represent and promote SFA, according to the Alumni Association website. Katy Crawford, assistant to the executive director of SFA’s Alumni Association explained the importance of the awards.

“We consider the Mr. and Miss SFA awards to be two of the most prestigious awards that a student can receive at SFA,” Crawford said. “Students who receive this esteemed honor are awarded based not only on their scholarship but also their leadership, model service and devotion to the university.” 

Applicants were required to submit an application and have three references to speak on their behalf. Candidates then participated in an interview process with the selection committee.

Wright felt comfortable and confident in the interview and says he was ecstatic to make it that far.

“When I got the call that I was actually chosen, I couldn’t believe it,” Wright said. “It means everything.”

Wyatt shares the same sense of excitement. 

“I was at my apartment when I got the call from Jeff Davis, executive director of the Alumni Association. I was nervous when I answered. After he told me that I was selected as Miss SFA, I was beyond excited,” Wyatt said. “I called and texted my family first. They knew how much the award meant to me, and I wanted to share the great news with my loved ones.”

Wyatt is a graduate student from Cedar Hill studying interdisciplinary studies, kinesiology, business and human sciences. Wyatt will graduate in May with her masters degree in interdisciplinary studies. 

“I plan to work in fitness at the university level and help develop college students into future professionals,” Wyatt said. “The three components in my major are all directly related to my career aspiration.”

Originally from Flower Mound, Wright is a senior graduating in May with his Bachelor of Science  degree in horticulture. He plans on going into landscape design and architecture. He remembers falling in love with SFA’s campus when he first toured despite the rain and cold weather.

“It felt like home for some reason and everyone was so friendly,” Wright said. “I love SFA so much that I have applied for my master’s here because I’m not ready to leave yet.”

When selecting a college, SFA was neither Wright nor Wyatt’s first choice. Wyatt had always been familiar with the University because her grandma is from Nacogdoches and her older sister studied at SFA. 

“I was a little hesitant to come here at first because my sister went here, and I wanted to make my own path,” Wyatt said. “I knew I made the right choice when I came to Freshman Orientation and got my first experience of what SFA is like. I love the campus, the people, the faculty and staff, as well as the culture here at SFA.”

While their journeys to SFA may have been different, both Wright and Wyatt felt their first dose of Lumberjack pride when at Jack Camp.

Jack Camp, even though it’s not at the University, is still part of the SFA experience. That’s where I felt the school pride immediately,” Wright said. “I really felt a sense of belonging here.”

Wyatt agrees that Jack Camp is one of her best experiences.

“I was the camper that did not want to be there and hated the outdoors. After the first day, my attitude changed completely and I became an excited and energetic camper,” Wyatt said. “My Jack Camp mom’s spirit is what uplifted me and made me excited about Jack Camp and SFA. I wanted to give others the same experience so I was a Jack Camp Counselor up until I graduated in 2011.”