CHS Celebrates Consecutive TAHPERD Foundation Scholars

Ana Garcia, a graduating senior in the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology program’s Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) concentration, was named as one of only three TAHPERD (Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Foundation scholars this year via a virtual awards ceremony held in late November.

Garcia, a member of the UTEP Athletic Training Program and Kinesiology’s second consecutive TAHPERD Scholar, said she was honored by the designation, a testament to the hard work and dedication she has put into her education. Kinesiology’s first TAHPERD scholar, Carlos Silva, recalled his reaction to the nomination in 2019, crediting his school internship site supervisor and Kinesiology lecturer and field supervisor, Ana Cisneros.

“They really care about the program and did their very best to educate us,” he said. “For me, the designation also meant that all the hard work I had to do paid off, and that if you choose to accomplish great things, you will accomplish them.”

Silva and Garcia were similarly attracted to the Kinesiology program because of a dual interest in the human body and desire to help others. Both believe in the value of changing lives through education, a major motivating factor to pursue the PETE concentration as undergraduates.

In the future, Silva aspires to deepen his involvement with TAHPERD as a member of the board of educators to help future educators continue their professional development and “continually evolve,” in their profession. He plans to pursue a career in physical education instruction. Garcia will take a different route, continuing her education in the Master of Science in Kinesiology program with a concentration in Motor Learning and Control.

“I’m eager to go on to the next step and continue learning from the amazing professors in the Kinesiology department,” she said.

Garcia and Silva both advise future students who are considering Kinesiology to value their limited time as undergraduates and to focus on their degrees as much as possible.

“Be dedicated and work hard, because it will all be worth it!” Garcia said.

For more information about the BS in Kinesiology’s PETE concentration, please visit: https://www.utep.edu/chs/kinesiology/academic-programs/undergraduate/undergraduate-program.html

Go Miners!