Wichita State University Physical Education students and faculty made an impressive impact at the Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (KAHPERD) Convention, held from November 6 to 8 at Emporia State University. A total of 21 P.E. students participated in the event, showcasing their talents and skills in a variety of presentations and leadership roles.

One of the convention's highlights was a session presented by WSU students. This interactive session allowed attendees to explore engaging physical education games that reinforced various skills taught throughout the semester. Students demonstrated innovative ways to combine fun with learning, encouraging others to incorporate similar strategies into their teaching practices.

In addition to the student presentations, WSU student Ian Stevens, the PreK-12 Student Organization President, was elected Chair of the Future Professionals Committee. As chair, Stevens will oversee meetings with student representatives from various universities, act as the voice for students within the association, and organize the KAHPERD College Bowl at the 2025 convention at Fort Hays.

Faculty Member Olivia Butler, Program Chair at Wichita State, was voted in as President-Elect of the KAHPERD Association for the 2024-2025 term. Butler, who will be the second youngest president in the association's history at just 29 years old, expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, "I am grateful to have been voted into the President-Elect position by the KAHPERD members and it is encouraging to be entrusted with the role. Physical & Health Education has evolved quite a bit over the years, and I am excited to bring my perspective to the organization while representing Wichita State."

As President-Elect, Butler's responsibilities will include supporting the current president, Jennifer Berchard of Fort Hays State University, while preparing to lead the association through the creation and implementation of a new strategic plan. She is focused on continuing the work of her predecessor to restructure and rebrand the organization.

The KAHPERD Convention offered more than 80 sessions spanning health, physical education, recreation, and dance, with participants following specialized tracks such as Coaching, Health, Adapted Physical Education, and Future Professionals. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for attendees to learn from experts, network with fellow educators, and exchange ideas to improve practices within their classrooms and communities.

"KAHPERD is always a great opportunity for us to learn from other P.E. teachers from across the region and get ideas to use in our future classrooms. In addition to other presentations, we got to put on an activity this year to show what we can do," said Ian Stevens, reflecting on the experience.

The event not only showcased the talents and leadership of Wichita State students but also highlighted their commitment to advancing the fields of health and physical education. With leaders like Stevens and Butler, Wichita State's future in the KAHPERD Association is bright, and their contributions promise to shape the direction of physical education in Kansas for years to come.

The University Library and the School of Education were key sponsors for the trip, and their generous contributions made it possible for so many students to attend!