UNM Physical Education students Elijah Star and Miguel Prieto-Ontiveros were recently honored with Major of the Year awards at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) 138th National Convention & Expo in Cleveland, Ohio. The awards recognize outstanding undergraduate students in the health, physical education, recreation, and dance professions.
According to College of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS) Physical Education Professor Victoria Shiver, the Major of the Year award is "the highest honor an undergraduate student in physical education teacher education can receive within the United States." Shiver praised Star and Prieto-Ontiveros for their dedication to a student-first approach and their commitment to creating lasting relationships and connections outside the teaching space.
Elijah Star, a senior from Santo Domingo Pueblo, expressed his passion for making a difference in communities affected by issues such as poverty and health disparities. Star stated, "My passion has always been to help everyone who comes my way, and I will give it my all no matter what." He aims to motivate individuals to pursue education and succeed in life.
On the other hand, junior Miguel Prieto-Ontiveros aspires to follow in Shiver's footsteps after graduating and hopes to inspire young teachers like himself. Prieto-Ontiveros emphasized the importance of educating students about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, stating, "I want to make sure I make a difference in every student I possibly can."
The COEHS professors at UNM emphasize the significance of community connection with students, which has played a pivotal role in preparing students like Star and Prieto-Ontiveros for their future careers as physical educators. Professor Shiver expressed her excitement about the impact these students will have on the profession and the students they will influence as educators, stating, "I cannot wait to see what they do for the future of our profession."
The recognition of Star and Prieto-Ontiveros at the national conference highlights the bright future of physical educators emerging from UNM and the dedication of the university's team of researchers and professors in shaping the next generation of professionals in the field.
