SHAPE America–Society of Health and Physical Educators will honor Paige Mikesell of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø as a Major of the Year during the organization’s 136th national convention and expo, April 26–30, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The award celebrates outstanding undergraduate students in the health, physical education, recreation, and dance professions who are nominated by a faculty advisor or professor.
Mikesell will be recognized on Tuesday, April 26, during the Opening General Session. “The outstanding achievements of future professionals like Paige is integral to the future of SHAPE America and our profession,” said SHAPE America President Terri Drain, the founder and coordinator of the Health and Physical Education Collaborative.
Paige is an outstanding student who is very active at the university, as well as in the teaching profession. As a student-athlete (swimmer) at IUP, she is successful in the pool and in the classroom. She was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American and carries a 4.0 grade point average. Paige was also named ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete.
“Paige has been one of the strongest students to come through our program in recent years. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes as a health and physical education teacher,” said Dave Lorenzi, the professor who nominated Paige for the Major of the Year Award. Paige is graduating this spring and will start her graduate MEd degree in adapted physical activity at IUP in the fall. She will also be working for the department as a full-time graduate assistant, helping to run teacher in-service trainings and community outreach programs.
About SHAPE America
SHAPE America–Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and its national standards for K-12 physical education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. SHAPE America provides programs, resources, and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs. For more information, visit .