KINGSTON, R.I., — April 18, 2022 — Briana Scalisi ’22 has been chosen as a Major of the Year recipient by the SHAPE America Society of Health and Physical Educators. The award celebrates outstanding undergraduate students in the health, physical education, recreation, and dance professions.
Scalisi, a double major in kinesiology and health and physical education at the University of Rhode Island, will be honored during the organization’s 136th National Convention & Expo, on April 26, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Scalisi was nominated for the award by Professor Furong Xu, coordinator of URI’s health and physical education program in URI’s School of Education.
“Briana is one of our great students who is highly motivated and academically strong,” said Xu.
A native of Clarkstown, New York, Scalisi will receive bachelor’s of science degrees in kinesiology and education at URI’s May 22 commencement exercises.
Scalisi serves as vice president of URI’s Health and Physical Education Club, which creates a network for current, former, and future health and physical education students. Additionally, she is game supervisor for the Intramural Sports Program, and a peer resource.
Since 2020, she has been an undergraduate teaching assistant for kinesiology and physical education courses. She student taught during the 2022 Spring semester at Frenchtown Elementary School in East Greenwich, and the Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School in Coventry, R.I.
“Receiving this award from SHAPE America is a great honor and I am proud of the hard work and dedication that I have put towards my health and physical education degree during my time at the University of Rhode Island,” said Scalisi. “I look forward to the future as I plan to continue my education in order to grow as an educator.”
SHAPE America-Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education. Its national standards for K-12 physical education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. SHAPE America provides programs, resources, and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs.
“The outstanding achievements of future professionals like Briana are integral to the future of SHAPE America and our profession,” said SHAPE America President Terri Drain, founder and coordinator of the Health and Physical Education Collaborative.