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AAHPERD in Ft. Worth, Texas
By: Shawna J. Southern
Leaving the colder weather in the northeast was a pleasure this year. The winter seemed to drag on. Upon landing in Dallas, Texas the warm weather was ever present! The sun shone, the warm breezes of the south touched my skin and I was in cow country. A week of professional development, meetings, networking, and fun was about to begin.
Tuesday morning began as usual at the conventions, a trip to the AAHPERD Registration Booth. It's fun and exciting, well not that fun and exciting but it is always a surprise to see what AAHPERD "gives" you for a bag. Hmmm, a black tote bag! It is very generic, but I am sure it will be put to good use.
After the Registration Booth, it's off to the first of many sessions, the NASPE STARS session from 8-12! I wondered how it would be and as I walked into the room I already knew my answer, I knew it would be great. The first person I saw was Cindy Lins. You may remember Cindy from a recent past RIAHPERD Conference. She was the keynote speaker and also presented a great physical education session during the afternoon.
As expected, the NASPE STARS session was excellent. It was full of information and helped to give me an idea of where to begin the process. There were no other sessions for which I was signed up for the pre-convention, so it was some free time to check out what was around. Since the weather was great, it was time to walk. I like to explore the different cities on foot if possible. Each morning I head off in a different direction.
Wednesday, as well as the rest of the week was full of different sessions, physical education technology, health, and lots of dance sessions. Being in sessions with presenters of this caliber is extremely motivating and energizing, not to mention informative.
As the week progressed so did the evenings out. One of the great things about going to national conventions is getting to see the people you haven't seen for the rest of the year. Friendships are quickly rekindled and talk moves on to what's been happening in school and out.
Being a RIAHPERD Executive Board member means that RI needs to be represented at EDA and national meetings. I represented RIAHPERD at the EDA Caucus, the NASPE Delegate Meeting, and at the Alliance Assembly. A new President Elect was voted in by the membership in the Alliance Assembly. Dana Brooks is now the AAHPERD President Elect. Monica Mize took over her presidency near the end of the meeting as she was handed the gavel by Immediate Past President John Bennet.
Some of the fun things we were able to do in Texas were to go to the Texas Stockyards for dinner and lunch, attend a rodeo, and a cattle drive down the streets of the Stockyards. A fun evening was held at Billy Bob's, the largest Honky Tonk in the world!
RIAHPERD members also had the opportunity to meet with some students from the University of Rhode Island. I want to say a person hello to Jenny, Andrea, and Justine! I had a great time with you!
If you are interested in attending next year's AAHPERD Convention in beautiful Tampa, Florida, send me an email at ride9478@ride.ri.net.