Celebrating some of our 2023-2024 graduates


GVSU Excellence-In-A-Discipline Award
GVSU Excellence in a Discipline
- 3.5 GPA and 85 credit hours completed
- Involvement with campus/major activities
- Candidate will be chosen by Health and Physical Education faculty
- Awards Event takes place in April of each year
2024- Jarrod Heethuis |
2021- Sara Westrate |
2023- Kaitlyn Dudek |
2020- Summer Carls |
2023- Jackson Blanchard |
2019- Taylor Dutcher |
2022- Hannah Becker |
2018- Eric Szczepaniak |

2024 Jarrod Heethuis

2023 Jackson Blanchard

2022 Kaitlyn Dudek

2021 Sara Westrate
SHAPE Michigan Major of the Year
Selection criteria remain under the determination of each institution of higher education, but should include the following minimum criteria:
Junior standing
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Active membership in professional fraternity (e.g., Phi Epsilon Kappa)
Service to school or community for a minimum of two years during the undergraduate career
2024- Luke Kaiser |
Tai Johnson |
2023 - Ethan Dawson |
Grace VanderHill |
2022- Michael Nork |
Jacie King |
2021- Jackson Blanchard |
Allyson Metas |
2020- Dan Pohanka |
Rachel Smith |

2024 SHAPE Majors of the Year
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2024 SHAPE Michigan Major of the Year

SHAPE 2022-2023 student of the year - Jacie King

Michael Nork, SHAPE Michigan Award recipient, 2022

Jackson Blanchard- Shape Michigan Major of the Year 2021-2022

Allyson Metas- Shape Michigan Major of the Year 2021-2022

2020 Student Honor Award for Shape Michigan- Dan Pohanka

Student Honor Award for Shape Michigan- Major of the Year representing Grand Valley State University Rachel Smith
SHAPE America Major of the Year
Nominees Must:
- Be a current SHAPE America member (nominees who are not yet members may still be nominated as long as a membership form is submitted within one month of nomination).
- Be on track toward a degree in an HPERD field.
- Be a junior or senior.
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale.
- Provide a service to school or community (3-5 contributions) for a minimum of two years during undergraduate career.
Year |
Award Recipient |
Year |
Award Recipient |
---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Kenadi Koppenhoefer |
||
2023 |
Gil Castillo |
2015 |
Tori Holman |
2022 |
Rachel Ramont |
2014 |
Casey Withers |
2021 |
Summer Carls |
2013 |
Paula Cynar |
2020 |
Evan Wilson |
2012 |
Biz Van Tiflin |
2019 |
Taylor Kastens |
2011 |
Nate Schout |
2018 |
Rachael Chase |
2010 |
Brian Metz |
2017 |
Emily Walker |
||
2016 |
Becca Lighton |

2024 SHAPE America Major of the Year
Kenadi Koppenhoefer

SHAPE America 2022-2023 Student of the Year - Gil Castillo

SHAPE America Major of the Year- Rachel Ramont
Fieldwork Student of the Year
Year |
Award Recipient |
---|---|
2024 |
Owen Maurice |
2023 |
Jacie King |
2022 |
Cole Dangler |

2024 Owen
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2023 Fieldwork student of the Year - Jacie King

2022 Student Teacher of the Year: Cole Dangler
Young Professional/Inspirational Leader
Year |
Award Recipient |
---|---|
2024 |
Vito Brandonisio |
2023 |
Cassidy Galvin |

2024 Vito
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2023 Young Professional of the Year - Cassidy Galvin
Community Impact
Year |
Award Recipient |
---|---|
2024 |
Grandville Schools |
2023 |
Lamont Christian |
2022 |
Gil Castillo |

Community Partner of the Year - Lamont Christian school

Community Impact Award: Gil Castillo
Alumni of the Year
Year |
Award Recipient |
---|---|
2024 |
Taylor Kastens |
2022 |
Biz Geertsma |
2023 |
Casey Withers |

2024 Taylor

2023 Alumni of the Year - Casey Withers

2022 Alumni of the Year: Biz Geertsma (New Groningen Elementary School, ZPS)
Mentor of the Year
Year |
Award Recipient |
---|---|
2022 |
Bill Weibel - Sibley Elementary |

Mentor Teacher of the Year: Bill Weibel (C.A. Frost and Sibley Elementary Schools, GRPS)
Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship
https://www.shapeamerica.org/scholarships/abernathyscholarship.aspx
Since 1995, SHAPE America has awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate student members majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, is awarded to three undergraduate students and two graduate students in January of each year. All scholarships are presented at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo held in the spring.
Undergraduate awards are $1,250 each and graduate awards are $1,750 each. Recipients also receive a complimentary three-year SHAPE America membership.
Application deadline: October 15.

Rachael Chase won the SHAPE America Presidential Scholarship for 2018