A physical fitness major was recently recognized as the 2018 Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) Outstanding Student of the Year.
Christina Ouellette, ’18, received the award last month during the MRPA annual State Conference and Trade Show.
Award recipients must demonstrate a serious interest in pursuing a career in one of the many fields connected to therapeutic recreation. According to Nick Pirelli, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure, Christina fits the bill.
The Danvers native’s major includes an emphasis on recreation and is on track to graduate with academic honors come December.
Earlier this year, Christina participated in a service trip to Belize where she investigated the recreational interests of young people there. In addition, she completed a qualitative research study on the impact alcohol and opioids are having on the local campus community. She then traveled to Las Vegas to share her findings at the Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference.
Currently, Christina is completing her recreation internship with Movement Arts Health and Promotion Leisure Studies Assistant Professor Dan Chase. Together they have co-created an afterschool leadership program for underserved fourth grade boys at the Carlos Pacheco School in New Bedford.
“She is a natural leader and has what it takes to be an exceptional leader in the field of recreation,” Mr. Pirelli said. “Christina is looking forward to working in the field of recreation with bright enthusiasm.” (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)
