A number of WVU Physical Education Teacher Education students and faculty attended the West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference on October 20-21. This is the first of a series of stories celebrating their success at the conference.
Obi Atkinson, PETE undergraduate student, won the Bea N. Orr Student Award, presented to outstanding students in the field.
“This has been my third conference I have attended during my time at West Virginia University. Each year I attend, I leave learning new material, refreshing on some skills and making more connections. This past year I was the student representative for physical education majors within the state of West Virginia,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson credits CPASS and his faculty for this great success.
“CPASS and my faculty mentors have had a huge impact on my career goals. When I transferred to WVU I wanted to become involved at both the state and national levels within the profession. Using their knowledge and experience, CPASS faculty have continued to support and guide me to keep succeeding at the highest level,” he explained.
Atkinson says that a major benefit of the conference is the networking opportunities and getting to know everyone at the event.
“I was able to meet many people at various levels of physical education. Elementary, middle, secondary school as well as university levels were all present and active WVAHPERD members. Overall, I was able to gain knowledge and listen to others’ talk about their experiences within physical education. “
Nominees must be a member of WVAPHERD and recommended by their college and exhibit outstanding achievement and service in health and physical education.