By Sara Hinds
Every year, the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Nebraska awards college students who excel in their area of study through volunteering, research and other accomplishments.
During the 2024 awards ceremony on November 3, four Doane University students received recognition:
- Owen Kuntz ’24 | educational studies major, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction student
- Jaiden Papik | senior physical and health education major
- Austin Roush | senior exercise science major
- Elizabeth Trausch | senior exercise science major
Kuntz and Papik also earned the two overall outstanding major of the year honors. Kuntz was named Health Education Major of the Year and Papik was named Physical Education Major of the Year.
Both Kuntz and Papik attribute their classroom preparedness to Doane’s education programs, specifically name dropping associate professor Cindy Meyer as a pivotal person in each of their academic journeys.
“As a mentor and advisor, she is so passionate about producing great teachers who will be advocates for PE and health in their schools,” Papik said.
Kuntz also credits his student teaching experiences. The best way to learn is by doing, and Kuntz had a crash course in classroom management, relationship building with students and more during his time at Crete Public Schools.
“I’m confident that because of all of the amazing people that I have met in these departments and the amazing cooperating teachers throughout my practicum and student teaching experiences [that I’m] prepared to be the best PE/Health teacher I can be,” Kuntz said.
Papik will complete her student teaching at Crete Public Schools this spring. As her Doane career is dwindling down, she feels more than ready to teach full time. And the SHAPE Major of the Year award is a toast to her time in the education program, and her growth as an educator.
“It was a great opportunity for the both of us to be able to represent Doane's education program in such a positive and impactful way,” Papik said.
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Previous Doane students have also won outstanding major and teach of the year awards from SHAPE:
- Ty Martinsen ’23 | Physical Education Major of the Year in 2022
- Carson Deisley ’22 | Physical Education Major of the Year in 2021
- Dana Johnson ’19 | Physical Education Major of the Year in 2018; Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 2022
- Heather Nicholson Leader ’03 | Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 2022
