2008 MAHPERD Award Recipients
The Joseph McKenney Award
Dr. Diane Smith
Belchertown Public Schools
The Joseph McKenney Award is the highest award that our association can bestow on a member. It is given in recognition of distinguished service to one or more of the professions in the association. The award is presented for exemplary service, leadership, and contributions to the profession, MAHPERD and the youth of the state.
This year’s recipient, Dr. Diane Smith, embodies all of those qualities. Diane has been a teacher in the Belchertown school system since 1977. She is described as a dynamic teacher who approaches every task with energy, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment.
Diane is a tireless advocate for the importance of physical education and health. In 2003 she fought energetically to save her health program and classes in the face of draconian budget cuts. She organized a rape awareness defense (RAD) program for the students of Belchertown High School and, with help from the Belchertown Police Department, has been teaching RAD classes for four years. As one colleague says, “she teaches these classes as she teaches all of her classes: with a hands on, in-your-face, high-kicking, vocal enthusiasm that gets the kids right into it, even the more reluctant. Her reputation is such that there is a waiting list of students wanting to get into these classes.”
As MAHPERD President, Diane’s leadership came from her heart. As she completed all the usual duties every association president takes on, Diane brought integrity to this professional association that is evident today. Diane presented the membership with a survey that challenged physical educators to evaluate whether their programs helped students develop the health-related fitness, motor skills and knowledge in order to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Diane was the forerunner in advocacy work by being instrumental in MAHPERD’s endorsement of the Massachusetts School Nutrition Bill. This action brought the association in step with other prominent organizations such as the American Heart Association, Chapters of the PTA, and the Massachusetts Medical Society that shared similar goals and an earnestness to work to accomplish those common goals. This partnership proved to be invaluable as MAHPERD began the challenge of the legislative initiative for quality physical education in all Massachusetts schools.
Her dedication to advocating for MAHPERD and physical educators throughout the commonwealth does not go unnoticed. Currently Diane is working diligently to educate our political leaders on the importance of physical education for all school districts within Massachusetts through her efforts to pass the “Quality Daily Physical Education” bill.
Diane is not only a professional who is committed to the allied fields, but is a person who deeply cares about students, colleagues and those with whom she has served on many committees. She has gained the respect of many and possesses the requisite enthusiasm, energy and communication skills needed to be a positive, moving force as an advocate for the allied fields in Massachusetts. Dr. Diane Smith certainly is an example of excellence in action.
Honor Awards
The MAHPERD Honor Award is given to members whose life and contributions have inspired youth of the state within the field. Honor Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding ability as a teacher, practitioner or administrator in the field and have contributed to the profession through one or more of the following ways: publications, speeches, demonstrations, appearance on professional programs, committee service, or serving as an officer in a professional association.
Dr.Robert Rausch
Westfield State College
This year’s Honor Award recipient, Dr. Robert Rausch, Professor of Movement Science, Sport and Leisure Studies at Westfield State College, inspires students not only in his teaching, but in their professional development as well. A colleague says of Bob; “Dr. Rausch is a master teacher. He uses creative, interactive teaching methods and strategies to challenge and engage his students. His standards are high and his professionalism and work ethic inspire his students to strive to achieve them. If I were enrolling my child in a course, I would want Dr. Rausch to be the instructor.” Bob has always been involved in the Physical Education field at the state, regional and national level. He is currently completing his presidency tenure in MAHPERD in the role of past president. This commitment to, and involvement in, MAHPERD has inspired many of the majors at Westfield State to become actively involved in MAHPERD. He has given students an opportunity to immerse themselves in our professional organization by regularly engaging them in presentations he is giving. A colleague notes; “There is no compensation for his continual support of our students. He believes in and acts upon what he feels a professional should be.” Bob is an individual whose energy and unending commitment to the field inspire those around him.
Pat Degon
Shrewsbury Public Schools
In her career as a Health and Physical Education educator, Pat Degon has modeled the very highest standards of equity, access, and excellence in delivery/design of curriculum, professionalism, and collaboration in her interactions with staff members, students, parents, and colleagues. Pat has demonstrated a commitment to the field through active leadership and advocacy for physical fitness and wellness in a number of ways. Pat supports and inspires young people to become actively engaged in supporting their own wellness and physical fitness through the design of a carefully structured K-12 Physical Education and Health program in Shrewsbury. Her leadership efforts to involve the community in support of our youth, and her dedication and commitment to helping young people develop the skills and get the information they need to make safe, positive choices in their lives has truly been impressive. Pat’s involvement in a community partnership project to promote leadership opportunities for middle and high school students and empower them to make safe and healthy choices led to expansions in educational programs like the Yellow Dress and Mock Accident, and Sober Grads/Safe Grads program which united parents and the business community in a town-wide effort to prevent underage drinking during prom season. In the words of a colleague; “Pat Degon exemplifies all that is best in Health and Physical Education in our public schools, and sets a fine example for all educators through her commitment, hard work, content expertise, and collaboration.”
Teachers of the Year
Sheryl Hall
2008 Elementary Physical Education
Teacher of the Year
Sheryl Hall teaches at the Margaret C.
Ells School in Springfield, Massachusetts. She received her Masters of Education
in Administration and Supervision from Antioch New England Graduate College in
Keene, New Hampshire. Sheryl received her bachelors of Science Degree in
Physical Education from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Sheryl strives to provide an innovative quality physical education program for
her students. With her determination and dedication, Sheryl has organized many
fundraising programs and established business partners with local agencies to
enhance the educational opportunities of her students. Due to her efforts she
was able to add a climbing wall to her program. The climbing wall has been a
welcome addition, which has sparked excitement throughout the school and
community. One of Sheryl’s goals in developing a quality physical education
program is to teach children the fundamentals so they can build confidence to be
successful in a variety of activities. Success is important to Sheryl, as it is
one aspect that increases the student’s likelihood to continue their
participation in physical education. Sheryl has also developed an integrated
math/physical education curriculum with the goal of publishing this document.
Sheryl has shared her expertise by presenting at the MAHPERD conventions, at a
Springfield College Ready Set Go Conference and in various workshops with her
colleagues in Springfield. Sheryl has also served on the MAHPERD board for the
last three years. Recently, Sheryl has served as the coordinator of the
Springfield Schools Elementary Physical Education Guides. The instructional
guides are now being used system wide to develop units and lesson plans. As
Sheryl states in her philosophy of teaching “ Physical education is an integral
part of a child’s education. It is my responsibility to help the child develop
basic skills that serve as the foundation to future and hopefully lifelong
participation in physical activities. I strive to continually enhance my program
because my challenge is to reach and develop every student.”
MAHPERD is proud to honor Sheryl Hall as the 2008 Elementary Physical Education
Teacher of the Year.
Paula Graham
2008 Middle School Physical Education
Teacher of the Year
Paula has been a physical
education teacher for the
Paula has been an integral
part of
Paula has presented MAHPERD,
and NELMS Conventions and also for graduate courses at Northeastern University.
She is thought highly as a cooperative teacher for
As Paula states about her philosophy of teaching “It’s about the kids. Kids who love to move for movement sake; kids who feel good about themselves and their interactions with others; and kids who value themselves and their bodies and are motivated and challenged by activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” MAHPERD is honored to have Paula Graham as the 2008 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
Amelia Riou Award
Jean Volpe
2008 Adapted PE Teacher of the Year
Jean Volpe has been involved with helping people with disabilities since 1979. Her educational background includes an Associate’s degree in Applied Science from Newbury College and Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Bridgewater State College.
Jean has had a variety of experiences throughout her tenure as an educator. These experiences include Volunteer Transport Aide , Physical Therapy Aide and Physical Therapy Assistant at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Physical Education teacher at the Boston School for the Deaf, and her current position as an Adapted Physical Education Teacher for the Newton Public Schools. In addition, she has served on the MAHPERD executive board as Vice President of the Adapted Physical Education division, is a YMCA certified personal trainer and volunteers at the Partnership Program at the South Shore YMCA.
Jean’s philosophy is that she would like to be able to succeed as a valued member of the Newton Public School community by continuing to demonstrate a positive work ethic and having a passion for the education of all abilities.
Her colleagues describe Jean as “kind, dedicated, dependable and committed to helping teachers and students alike. She is a constant student herself, stays current in the field and is continually in touch with all of her colleagues on a regular basis.” In addition, others have noted that she “plans her program to result in a meaningful experience for each child. She is able to incorporate adaptations to the diverse skills and challenges of the children with whom she works and has made significant contributions to their total educational experience.”
2008 Dance Educator of the Year
Janet Marie Yukna
Janet Marie Yukna received a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Education from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. She began teaching dance while still a student at the university.
Since returning to Massachusetts in 1996, she has taught dance full time at a private studio in Ashland as head of their Modern dance program. She has also taught within the Boston Public School system as an “Artist in Residence.” This experience enabled her to expose inner city youth to the sights, sounds and joy of tap dance. In addition to her full time position as a guidance counselor, Janet is enjoying her role as choreographer for the Wellesley High School (WHS) fall musicals and director of the Moving Company, an after school dance group at the school. She is also a member of the Dana Hall dance staff teaching an Advanced Tap class for high school aged students.
This spring will mark her tenth season coordinating “Footnotes” a collaborative dance concert supported through the WHS Performing Arts Department. The concert includes both her own choreography as well as student works. Dance groups from a variety of school districts are also invited to perform. Collaboration with other arts faculty at WHS has also been a part of the work the students perform on stage. In addition to her choreographic and production duties, she has offered students opportunities to participate in a winter tap workshop and teaches a two part interactive course on the principals of choreography at WHS. This past year, she incorporated a ‘performance series’ into the school year, taking students to a variety of different dance concerts in the Boston area.
Janet has been a member of the SK2 Dance Company and the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble and has performed with Kelley Donovan and Dancers, The Jazz Dance Project, and Moving West Repertory Dance Theatre. She also has had the unique opportunity to perform with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project at the Shubert Theatre, Boston. Her mission is to expose her students to as many dance genres and movement styles as possible.
Through sharing her own personal dance experiences, taking students to dance concerts and encouraging them to learn new dance styles, Janet hopes to increase the visual and physical vocabulary of her students, therefore allowing them to challenge their limits and think critically about the artistry of dance.
2008 Pathfinder Award
Chris Molonea
Chris Molonea is an outstanding coach at Wellesley High School. She demonstrates her constant commitment to her athletes by working very hard to see that they shared her coaching philosophy of focused teamwork. Chris was chosen as The Boston Globe Coach of the Year in Lacrosse in 2001 and Bay State Conference Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 2004. She has exhibited an unwavering commitment to her athletes. Her students step up and perform their best when asked. One true view of her reach, both on and of the field, is the number of athletes that come back to work with her in varying capacities. Whether they are a volunteer goalie coach for field hockey or a full-fledged Junior Varsity lacrosse coach, they simply love to learn from the best. Chris is a very well respected member of the high school staff.
2008 OUTSTANDING FUTURE PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Alison Rheaume
Alison Rheaume is a junior at Westfield State College majoring in Physical Education. At WSC Ali is involved in numerous activities and presently maintains a grade point average of a 3.24. She is a three year member of the field hockey team where she has received the honors of MASCAC Rookie of the Year, MASCAC All-Conference Team Member, and Outstanding Contributor Award. Ali is also an active member of the Student Athletic Advisory Board, the Council of Future Professionals (MAHPERD), and the Movement Science Major’s Club in which she serves as the President. Outside of college Ali is very involved in the community. She went to New Orleans to participate in Hurricane Katrina relief by raising and donating money as well as taking part in Habitat for Humanity. As a member of “Athletes in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina” she presented her experiences to the Westfield State College campus in the company of the Athletic Director of the University of New Orleans. Ali has also been involved in the annual “Hoops for Heart” fundraiser and an after-school program at Russell Elementary School. Furthermore, she has presented and presided at the Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance state convention, and also attended the National Convention of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance in Baltimore.
Kelly DeGagne
Kelly DeGagne is entering her senior semester at Bridgewater State College as a commuter student majoring in Physical Education. Throughout her college career she has maintained a 3.0 grade point average while working as a personal trainer and sales coordinator at a local fitness club. She also spends time as a substitute teacher for physical education and health classes. Kelly is passionate about promoting physical activity in children and young adults and strives to be an influential physical educator. Kelly has taken an active role in MAHPERD as a volunteer at the past three conventions. What impresses her professors at BSC is Kelly’s keen ability to take what she learns at MAHPERD and put it into action. Attending these conventions inspires Kelly to become an advocate for physical education in her school and community. Kelly also has been involved in coaching volleyball for the past five years. Presently, as the head coach of the B.M.C. Durfee High School girl’s volleyball team, Kelly is focused on creating a quality program to develop skilled and self motivated student athletes. She is interested in all aspects of physical fitness and enjoys competing in fitness competitions and playing in-door and beach volleyball.
Michael Burtch
Michael Burtch is a junior majoring in Physical Education at Westfield State College. As a commuter student Michael is very involved in campus life and maintains a grade point average of 3.91. He currently sits as a representative on the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s (MAHPERD) Council of Future Professionals and is Co-President of the Physical Education Association Major’s Club at Westfield. This semester Michael is excited to be starting an internship with the Westfield State College Department of Intramurals. Additionally Michael volunteers his time to help fifth and sixth-graders with their homework two days a week, as well as mentoring two freshmen in the Movement Science Major. He has presented and presided at MAHPERD conventions and is a conscientious and professional student. One of Michael’s professor’s notes, “He is an individual who will have a positive influence on the students he teaches and his programs will reflect well on the field of physical education”. Michael enjoys spending his spare time with friends and family doing just about anything active. He especially enjoys roller skating and spends a lot of time at the roller rink at which he works.
Colleen Geary
Colleen Geary is a senior at Westfield State College majoring in Movement Science with a concentration in Health Fitness. Colleen enjoys volunteer work and has spent time traveling to New Orleans with other students to partake in Habitat for Humanity efforts. In addition to working with those in need, she has volunteered at the Boston Marathon, and the annual Munger Hill Field Day at a local elementary school. This season Colleen served as Captain of the Westfield State Cross Country team and is and active member of the Student Athletic Advisory Board. Colleen has a 3.57 grade point average and has made the Dean’s List every semester. One professor states, “Classmates consistently look to Colleen for her expertise and guidance of class discussions and group projects. Most importantly, Colleen is a real “people person” and as such would do anything to help out someone in need”. Colleen is a member of the New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) and assisted at MAHPERD conventions. In the future Colleen hopes to be working as an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Michelle Enos
Michelle Enos transferred to Salem State as a Physical Education major from Endicott College in the spring of 2005. She is currently as Senior at Salem maintaining an overall 3.39 grade point average with a 3.6 GPA in her field of student. Each semester she had made the Dean’s List and is an active member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and of the Salem State softball team. Recently, Michelle was honored by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports and the NCAA as a National Student Athlete Award recipient recognizing her for scholarly work, commitment to athletics, and leadership. Michelle has made outstanding contributions to the community at large. She has invested her time in substitute teaching and in other professional development opportunities. For three summers she has worked as a park instructor, learning to teach and manage children of various ages. Through National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Michelle volunteered her time mentoring at-risk girls. Michelle affirmed,” I feel that the opportunity to be able to teach and work with children is something that can’t be matched. The intrinsic reward is a gift that I am so thankful to experience”. In the future Michelle sees herself with a Master’s Degree working as a physical education teacher make improvements in the lives of her students through physical activity, and making parents aware of the benefits as well.
2008 Presidential Citations
Vanessa Cavallaro, MS, RD, LDN
Vanessa is a Project Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts working on Jump Up & Go, an award-winning, multidimensional childhood obesity prevention and treatment program. Vanessa is also the co-founder of Smart Nutrition Application and Practice (SNAP) a Boston-based nutrition consulting business. SNAP provides nutrition expertise for a variety of public and private organizations to bring scientifically sound nutrition and wellness information to the public through corporate wellness programming, collateral and web site development, presentations, and workshops. Clients include Vitasoy USA, Fitness Works @ Work, Tufts Health Plan, and Framingham State College. After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University, Vanessa decided to become a dietitian. She completed a dual Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Nutrition Communication from Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and completed her Dietetic Internship at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center at the Tufts-New England Medical Center. While pursuing her MS, Ms. Cavallaro was the first recipient of the Borra Fellowship. During her fellowship, Vanessa participated in a summer internship with “Kids First” and the Rhode Island Team Nutrition Training Institute as a Project Coordinator and Community Liaison to develop an effective communications campaign promoting the practice of healthy eating habits in Rhode Island Schools. Ms. Cavallaro is an active member of Action for Healthy Kids and continues to work diligently and collaboratively with our organization to educate Massachusetts Legislators to the importance of good nutrition and physical activity as part of a healthy school environment. Her commitment, energy, and leadership are apparent to everyone who has had the opportunity to work with her. Vanessa is also actively involved on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association as the Director of Career Pathways & Awards and received the 2005 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award for Massachusetts. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys reading, power yoga and running.
State Representative Patricia A. Haddad
Representative Haddad is a legislator serving the Fifth Bristol District and has been a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2000. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bridgewater State College and is a former middle school Physical Education Teacher. She has served on a number of organizations including the Drug-free Schools Advisory Council, Board Member at University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth Center for Policy Advisory Board, and the Health Access Collaborative. Her service in public office has included the Somerset Playground and Recreation Commission and the Somerset School Committee. Through the House of Representatives, previous committees included Human Services and Elder Affairs, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Health Care, Medicaid, and Ways and Means. Representative Haddad has also held special appointments on eight different committees through her service as a representative.