Physical education students win big at SHAPE national convention

Eight physical education (PE) students at Eastern Connecticut State University earned top accolades at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National Convention and Exposition, held this April in Baltimore. Two Eastern teams beat stiff competition at the SHAPE America College Bowl, earning first and second place, respectively.

The annual convention and exposition gathers health and PE teachers from across the country for a weekend of networking, workshops, educational sessions, and a “Jeopardy” style competition. The competition, which typically sees more than 20 teams, tests students in their knowledge of PE, health, anatomy, physiology, adapted PE, national standards, nutrition, dance, and gymnastics, among other topics.

Eastern has built a strong legacy at the event, winning five national SHAPE championships in the past seven years in Boston, Tampa, Seattle, Baltimore, and an online championship during COVID. The PE program’s accomplishments now include their unprecedented first- and second-place finishes in the college bowl.

“I knew we had two strong teams, but I never imagined that they would finish first and second,” said PE pedagogy Professor Darren Robert. He noted that the two teams had almost identical scores, leading significantly from the third-place team.

“[This win] puts Eastern on the map as a leader in PE and health teacher preparation,” he said.

The winning team included seniors Ally Gruca, Lexi Almeida, Katie Roberts, and Jason Baillargeon. The second-place team consisted of seniors Gianna Scoppetto and Joseph Sylvester, and juniors Tyler Reyes and Daria Fournier.

“Winning the College Bowl made us feel like our hard work paid off,” said Scoppetto. She expressed immense pride in her team and the Eastern PE program for their win.

“The pure excitement and joy on all our faces when we saw the Eastern victory on the screen was unmatched,” she said.

Scoppetto and Roberts also received the SHAPE America Majors of the Year Award. This title is earned by SHAPE America members with high academic performance.

“This award speaks for everything I have done in the last four years,” said Scoppetto, who thanked her peers and professors for their roles in her academic journey.

Beyond the competition, SHAPE also provided the student attendees with networking and professional growth opportunities. Scoppetto noted that she was able to speak with multiple vendors that had unique and innovative ideas for application in PE pedagogy.

Almeida noticed diversity in how different programs approach PE at SHAPE. “It's interesting to see all the ways people from other states approach physical education and health,” she said. “I always step away with new perspectives and inspiration.”

Students left the SHAPE America Convention and Exposition with new ideas, knowledge, inspirations and aspirations for their future careers in PE. “My time at SHAPE was truly inspiring,” Almeida continued. “Being able to connect with others in the field--sharing ideas and learning new strategies that I can apply in my future teaching was the most enjoyable aspect of the convention.”