Wildcat of the Week Aiden Patterson
The Heather Cannon Wildcat of the Week for the 2023-2024 school year was presented to Aiden Patterson, a senior at Ponca City High School.
Aiden is an outstanding student and knows what he wants to do after high school. He is involved in the Internship Program at Po-Hi and has logged over 32 flying hours and working towards his solo flight. When he graduates in May he is only going to lack one course and then just his flight labs and fly time left. He completed his Eagle Scout project at Grand Lake Mental Health where he added flowerbeds, a free library book box, and park benches. Aiden has also been involved in Mock Trial at Po-Hi the last three years.
Aiden also finds time for bowling and has bowled all four years of high school. He was the top boy bowler in Ponca City last year and qualified for the All-Star team. You can also find Aiden at the fly-in breakfast every month running the flight simulators.
PCPS Superintendent Adam Leaming said, “It was so exciting to recognize Aiden as the Wildcat of the Week. I told Aiden I knew his father putting bicycles together when we worked at Walmart! It’s made my week when I learned how remarkable Aiden has become since that time! We have some amazing students and Aiden has been exceptional. From his work in school, in our community, and in his time with our extra-curricular activities, Aiden makes us special. Thank you, Aiden, for setting a high bar in your academic and personal pursuits. You’re an inspiration to me and the other students in our district.”
“Aiden has participated in Mock Trial since his sophomore year and has really developed as a participant,” said Thomas Murray, coach of the Mock Trial team. “He started as a very nervous attorney and has become more confident in asking questions during both direct and cross examinations. He also plays a role in helping other members of the team practice parts by making objections.”
Aiden interns with the Northern Oklahoma Flight Academy. Bert Blanton said, “I have been acquainted with Aiden for several years as a student and aide at Northern Oklahoma Flight Academy summer camp and also observed him taking private flying lessons on our airport. Last summer he was employed by Northern Oklahoma Flight Academy as a classroom and laboratory aide in the Aviation Maintenance Technician class. Since then he has volunteered regularly to assist young visitors at our monthly fly-in breakfast with flying the flight simulators. As he has done these things, his familiarity with aviation and piloting has increased greatly and he can be considered quite knowledgeable about this subject. We have come to depend on him to show up when he says to help at the breakfast. His participation in OUR flying lesson class required him to show up M-F at 6am which he did reliably.”
Tamara Bucher said, He was a student in my first class at Flight Academy (2022) and he was very shy and stayed to himself. This past summer (2023) he came back to Flight Academy and participated in the returning pilot class. He started the week off still somewhat shy, but as the week progressed he blossomed into a more self-confident student who actively participated in discussions and became a resource for other students who were unsure about some of the features of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Because he had been good with the simulator, we asked Aiden to help out on Fly-in Breakfast Saturdays and we have not been disappointed. He has been quite willing to help and has a good rapport with other student pilot volunteers and our "little" pilots who try their hand at flying the sims.”
The “Wildcat of the Week” Award is sponsored by Heather Cannon Honda. The award is for a deserving high school student who follows the characteristics of the Wildcat Way which are Work Ethic, Improve, Leadership, Discipline, Compete, Attitude, and Teamwork. These characteristics may be exhibited in any setting and is open to all Ponca City High School students. Several Ponca City patrons are involved in making the “Wildcat of the Week” a reality. These partners include Senator Bill Coleman – TEAM Radio, Heather Cannon – Heather Cannon Honda, Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters, and Tyndall Dentistry. Each week a new “Wildcat of the Week” will be selected from the nominations of TEAM Radio listeners and viewers. Winners receive a free BBQ sandwich meal from Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters and a T-shirt from Boss Custom Tees. PCPS will make the presentation weekly at Po-Hi. If you know an outstanding student at Po-Hi who is living the Wildcat Way, please use the form in one of these links https://www.poncacitynow.com/32875-2/, or visit www.PoncaCityNow.com, www.PoHiSports.com, or www.pcps.us.