2007 AAHPERD Convention – Baltimore (by Camille O'Bryant, Ph.D.) - The 2007 meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) took place in March of this year. More than 5,000 professionals in health, physical education, recreation, sport, dance and related careers came to Baltimore to participate in lectures, activity sessions, exhibit hall demonstrations, socials and recognition of people’s accomplishments in a variety of physical activity related fields. One of the longstanding traditions at AAHPERD is the recognition of physical education and kinesiology majors by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). This year, the faculty in the Kinesiology Department named Erin Plotkin as our NASPE Major of the Year. It was great to see Erin interact with other award winners and the wide array of professionals in attendance at the AAHPERD Convention. So, congratulations Erin! Erin has recently joined the fitness instructional staff at Casa Darinda in Santa Barbara. She will work with an alumna of Cal Poly’s master’s degree program, Lynnae Pedrotti, and provide instruction and guidance in fitness and exercise for residents of this senior living community in Santa Barbara.
Next year’s AAHPERD convention will be in Forth Worth, TX from April 8 – 12! The theme for the 2008 AAHPERD Convention is, Take Time…Celebrate Life Together. There is no doubt that another of our outstanding undergraduate majors will have an opportunity to attend as our NASPE Major of the Year! Perhaps some of the readers of this newsletter will be in attendance! You can learn more about AAHPERD and its associations be visiting www.aahperd.com.

College of Science and Math Major of the Year

Pre-PT Concentration:

Kellie Radosevich

Kellie is currently working as a PT Aide at Aspire Physical Therapy. For the past seven years, she has been involved with fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and participated in the MS Walk. During the past four years, she was in the top fundraising group. This year she has been raising money to participate in the MS Challenge Walk, a 50-mile walk over three days in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She was an assistant instructor for the adaptive paddling program earlier this year, helping adapt kayaks based on physical need and teach participant with various physical disabilities to kayak. She is pursuing a Minor in Art. After graduating, Kellie will be applying to Physical Therapy schools to pursue a doctorate in Physical Therapy. Cal Poly GPA: 3.97

Exercise Science and Health Promotion Concentration:

Kerri Parker

Kerri will graduate with a minor in Sports Nutrition. She has been a member of the Cal Poly Triathlon Team since her freshman year and has served as a team student coach. Kerri is a personal trainer at Kennedy Club Fitness and served as a student intern with Jamba Juice Healthy Kids Nutrition Program where she taught fitness and nutrition concepts to fourth graders. She is a volunteer to implement therapy for an At-Home stroke patient. She has also been a member of PolyFIT. She was on the Dean’s List for 9 quarters and a member of the College of Science and Math Living/Learning Program Honor Society. After graduation, Kerri will be involved with an internship with Apple Computer Wellness Center.

Teaching Concentration:

Jessica Harrell

Individualized Course of Study Concentration:

Richard (Garrett) Morgan

Garrett came to us from Military Service in the Navy. He was a U.S. Navy Deep Sea Diver. He was honorably discharged as a 2nd Class Petty Officer 2nd Class Diver, the highest advancement level possible in on four-year term. He participated in PolyFIT and was a General Chemistry tutor. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. Garrett will be entering a PhD program at Colorado University, Boulder in the fall. His course of study will be in the Integrative Physiology Department. He will be working in a lab that is dedicated to research in vascular endothelial biology. This lab studies endothelial progenitor cells, exclusively, and the clinical applications of the cells’ behavior when exposed to various medications and compounds.

Outstanding Service to the Department:

Jennifer Putt

Jenny was a COSAM ambassador for the past three years. She joined PolyFIT during her second year and was director of this program this past year (first undergraduate selected to be director). She collaborated with Dr. Hall, a team of engineers, and fellow classmates on the development of new workout technology. Jenny worked as a Physical Therapy Aide at TherapyWorks in Morro Bay and volunteered for the Cal Poly Athletic Training room and CCS Physical Therapy. This year she worked as a private, in-home personal trainer for an elderly woman to help her maintain her mobility and pro-long her life. In September, Jenny will be going to CSU Long Beach Physical Therapy program.

College of Science and Math Service Award:

Olivia Lyons