CT Physical Educators Conference Honoring Groton-Area Students

GROTON, CT – The Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) will be holding their Fall Conference on Thursday, November 20th and Friday, November 21st. The Conference, held at Cromwell’s Crown Plaza, will consist of 2-days dedicated to Physical Education Professionals, Students and Interested Guests. The CTAHPERD is brining in a variety of Keynote Speakers, Education Sessions, Exhibitors relevant to the field, Networking Opportunities and an Awards Ceremony.

Constance Kapral, the Executive Director of CTAHPERD, has gone to great lengths to “glue together an amazing, fun and educational event,” as Mary Martinick stated. Mary is a Westport Middle School Physical Education Teacher involved with securing the exhibitors. Both Kapral and Martinick are pleased to be able to offer such a diverse array of information and activities for current and future physical educators.

Two students from Central CT State University (CCSU), Eastern CT State University (ECSU) and Southern CT State University (SCSU) will be honored to receive the Outstanding Future Professional Award. Award recipients are Melissa Sardilli and Niko Zimmitti from CCSU, Sean Chmielewski and Erin Leduc from ECSU and Mercy Baldino and Ben Tremblay from SCSU. Each of the students receiving this award are selected by their faculty departments and must have “a minimum GPA of 3.00 out of 4.00, academic achievement higher than grade point average, participation in HPERD organizations, involvement in university organizations, contributions to their department and the community, professional leadership qualities and individual accomplishments and awards.”

Once these awards are given to these deserving students, they will be interviewed by a Committee of CT Physical Educators in the top of their field to determine two who will move on to represent the CTAHPERD at SHAPE America’s Eastern District Outstanding Future Professionals Program in Springfield, MA in February of 2015.

Erin Leduc, an ECSU Commuter and a mother of two, is from the Groton area and is so pleased to be honored as one of the students selected for this prestigious award in her field of study. Erin returned to school to pursue her degree in Physical Education because it was “her passion.” All while juggling the responsibilities of a family, Erin has been able to maintain a 3.66 GPA, maintain a full-time study schedule and also participate in community outreach efforts that made her eligible for this award.

For people interested in attending the conference, visit their online registration page found on the CTAHPERD website at www.ctahperd.org/conference.html. On the website visitors will also be able to get the full schedule of events for the entire two days.