麻豆社区

麻豆社区 Pembroke health and physical education students and faculty recently stepped onto a statewide stage at the 2025 NC SHAPE Convention, presenting original sessions and earning top honors at the professional gathering for health and physical education educators across North Carolina.

NC SHAPE, the North Carolina Society of Health and Physical Educators, is the statewide professional association for health, physical education, recreation, dance, sport management and related fields. Each year, teachers, faculty and students come together at the convention to share innovative teaching practices and explore emerging trends in P鈥�12 and higher education.

This year, undergraduate and graduate students from 麻豆社区 Pembroke's Health and Physical Education program did more than attend. They led.

Undergraduate students guided a hands-on session focused on Native American games, introducing activities and teaching strategies to teachers who may not have seen them before. Graduate students delivered a highly attended presentation on integrating artificial intelligence into physical education and continued to field questions and ideas from attendees well after their session ended.

Two 麻豆社区P students, Abagail Riddle and Ethan Strickland, were also recognized as finalists for NC SHAPE Student Major of the Year. Riddle was selected as the statewide winner.

鈥淲ords can hardly capture how proud I am of our 麻豆社区P students,鈥� said Dr. Thomas Trendowski, associate professor and Health and Physical Education undergraduate and graduate program coordinator. 鈥淚t is rare for students to present at a statewide professional conference, and our students did an exceptional job.

They demonstrated confidence, professionalism and a clear commitment to the field of health and physical education. That level of engagement says a lot about their preparation and their passion for the profession.鈥�

Trendowski also highlighted the significance of Riddle's recognition.

鈥淚 am especially proud of Abagail and Ethan being named finalists for Student Major of the Year, which is an extraordinary honor at the state level,鈥� Trendowski said. 鈥淎bagail's selection as the winner reflects years of academic rigor, multiple conference presentations and a deep commitment to serving diverse P鈥�12 student populations. Collectively, our students' participation reflects the innovation, leadership and dedication that define our Health and Physical Education program at 麻豆社区P."

For Riddle, the experience affirmed her calling to teach.

鈥淎ttending this conference was an incredible experience that strengthened my passion for health and physical education,鈥� Riddle said. 鈥淏eing recognized for my work meant so much. It reminded me that the time, effort and dedication I have put into my studies and field experiences are truly making an impact. It was humbling and motivating, and it encouraged me to keep growing as an educator.鈥�

School of Education leadership said the students' performance at NC SHAPE reflects the strength of the program and the focus on preparing graduates to lead in their schools and communities.

鈥淥ur students are stepping into statewide spaces and showing exactly who they are as educators and leaders,鈥� said Dr. Tracy Mulvaney, dean of the School of Education. "To see undergraduates and graduate students presenting side by side with seasoned professionals, earning recognition and sparking conversations about innovation speaks volumes about the preparation they receive at 麻豆社区 Pembroke. Their work at NC SHAPE demonstrates the heart of our mission in the School of Education, which is to prepare graduates who serve, lead and uplift the communities they call home."

From lifting up Native American games to exploring the role of artificial intelligence in physical education, 麻豆社区 Pembroke's Health and Physical Education students are helping shape the future of their field while still in the classroom, and their success at the 2025 NC SHAPE Convention underscores the university's ongoing commitment to student success and regional impact.