Physical education students recognized by Missouri society

Northwest Missouri State University students were again honored recently by the Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators (MOSHAPE) as majors of the year.

MOSHAPE is a statewide organization for current and future professionals in the field of health and physical education. MOSHAPE offers leadership and assistance to schools seeking to develop health and physical education programs and recognizes current or future health professionals for their achievements.

The students, who were recognized at MOSHAPE’s annual conference in November, are chosen by faculty based on grades, disposition, professionalism and leadership.

Grace Carter is pictured with Dr. Jodie Leiss at MOSHAPE’s annual conference in November. (Submitted photo)

Grace Carter, who graduated from Northwest in December with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, was named the Health Education Major of the Year. She is now teaching in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.

Carter chose Northwest for its welcoming environment, low student-to-professor ratio and one-on-one, hands-on learning opportunities. She says she owes her success to faculty who taught her to get out of her comfort zone.

“With it being a smaller school, I was able to form more personal connections with my professors and learn as much as I could,” Carter said.

She wishes to share her passion for movement and exercise with young students and serve as a role model to them.

“I could never imagine myself having a desk job,” Carter said. “I like the aspect of being up and moving all day, every day with the kids.”

Bradley Shoemaker, a senior physical education major from Maryville, was named the Physical Education Major of the Year.

“This recognition reassures me that I am achieving my goals and doing so at the best of my ability,” he said. “It also shows me that other people are noticing the work that I put in, and I’m thankful for everyone who has helped me become the teacher and person I am today.”

After graduation, Shoemaker plans to teach secondary physical education at a high school and coach high school sports. He says he chose to be a physical education major because he enjoys teaching children how to be active.

“By getting this recognition, it builds motivation for students to keep pushing and potentially mentor younger students to be just as successful,” Shoemaker said.

Carter and Shoemaker are now nominees for the SHAPE America Major of the Year. The awards will be presented in Baltimore at the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.

Additionally, Dr. Jodie Leiss, an associate professor of health and physical education at Northwest, was elected by the MOSHAPE membership as president-elect. Last year, she was selected MOSHAPE’s Scholar of the Year for her professional leadership, teaching and outstanding scholarship.

“I’m just so proud,” Dr. Leiss said of the student awards. “I know the hard work that it takes to be in that situation. Some of the students work so hard, and they really deserve that recognition.”

To learn more about Northwest’s physical education major and other academic programs offered within Northwest’s School of Health Science and Wellness, visit ya64.photographywaltz.com/health/programs/.