AMAZING PEOPLE AWARD
Amazing People Awards
are given by Zones and Sections to honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the profession. The Amazing People Awards are presented at the Annual Conference at the Amazing People Awards Ceremony on Thursday evening.
Awards Criteria
Amazing People Award recipients are selected by the particular Zone or Section. Current membership in NYS AHPERD is required.
Award Recipient History
The Amazing People Award was established in 1995. Previous award recipients are listed below.
2023 Section Amazing People
Adapted PE & Sport: Dorothy Niemira
Aquatics: Sheldon Sucre
Council of Administrators: Carol Roseto
Equity, Diversity & Inclusiveness: Amy Dawson
Elementary PE: Alexander Duque
Future Professionals: Jessica Synenki
Health Education: Kristin McGurl
Higher Education/Prof Prep: John Strong
Middle School PE: Jill Mackerchar
High School PE: Barbara Murray
Recreation/Adventure Ed: Brianne Blaszak
Retirees: Jim & Lois Codispoti
Technology: Kevin Lau
2023 Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Tamara Bryngelson-Eppard
Catskill Zone: Matt Donaldson
Central North Zone: Lindsay Kidder
Central South Zone: APEM Cortland
Central Western Zone: Lori Bifarella
Nassau Zone: Megaera Regan
NYC Zone: Dr. Christie González-Toro
Northern Zone: Elizabeth Durfee
Southeastern Zone: Carrie Spiegel
Suffolk Zone: Kerry Hogan
Western Zone: Dr. Gregory Reeds
Amazing Person History
Section Amazing People Awards
Adapted PE & Sport: Dorothy Niemira
Aquatics: Sheldon Sucre
Council of Administrators: Carol Roseto
Equity, Diversity & Inclusiveness: Amy Dawson
Elementary PE: Alexander Duque
Future Professionals: Jessica Synenki
Health Education: Kristin McGurl
Higher Education/Prof Prep: John Strong
Middle School PE: Jill Mackerchar
High School PE: Barbara Murray
Recreation/Adventure Ed: Brianne Blaszak
Retirees: Jim & Lois Codispoti
Technology: Kevin Lau
Zone Amazing People Awards
Capital Zone: Tamara Bryngelson-Eppard
Catskill Zone: Matt Donaldson
Central North Zone: Lindsay Kidder
Central South Zone: APEM Cortland
Central Western Zone: Lori Bifarella
Nassau Zone: Megaera Regan
NYC Zone: Dr. Christie González-Toro
Northern Zone: Elizabeth Durfee
Southeastern Zone: Carrie Spiegel
Suffolk Zone: Kerry Hogan
Western Zone: Dr. Gregory Reeds
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE & Sport Section: Allison Teachout
Aquatics Section: Helene Schmid
Coaches Section: Matt Murphy
Council of Administrators (COA): Ron Whitcomb
Dance Education Section: Dr. Christie Gonzalez-Toro
Elementary Physical Education Section: Kimberly Ferrie
Equity, Diversity & Inclusiveness Section: Casey Langendorfer
Exercise Science/Sports Medicine Section: Lisa Palmieri
Future Professionals Section: Donn Tobin
Health Education Section: Drew Miller
Higher Education/Prof Prep Section: Colleen Corsi
Middle/High School Physical Education Section: Amanda DePaolo
Recreation/Adventure Education Section: Natalie DiMeglio
Retirees Section: Frank Bartok
Technology Section: Meghan Vlad
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Colleen McHeard
Catskill Zone: Nicole Hartmann
Central North Zone: Steve Yarnell
Central South Zone: Jonathan Philby
Central Western Zone: Gina Potenza
Nassau Zone: Lindsay Guaman
New York City Zone: Marysol De La Cruz
Northern Zone: Mark Wilson
Southeastern Zone: Kevin Yarnell
Suffolk Zone: Justin Hertz
Western Zone: Brandi Pettit
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE & Sport Section: Theresa Uhelsky
Aquatics Section: Daniel Armstrong
Coaches Section: Stephen Shoults
Council of Administrators (COA): Drew Walker
Dance Education Section: Karen Bonanno
Elementary Physical Education Section: James Hambel
Equity, Diversity & Inclusiveness Section: Christine Drago
Future Professionals Section: Christine Hopple
Health Education Section: Jennifer Mead
Higher Education/Prof Prep Section: Matthew Madden
High School Physical Education Section: Christine Piscopo
Middle School Physical Education Section: Shelly Connors
Recreation/Adventure Education Section: Adam Dwyer
Retirees Section: Wendy O'Connor
Technology Section: Amanda Stallone
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Elyse Loughlin
Catskill Zone: Kathleen Young
Central North Zone: Alissa DeBie
Central South Zone: Linda Burghardt
Central Western Zone: Joseph Winnick (posthumous)
Nassau Zone: Dorothy Niemira
New York City Zone: Victor Ramsey
Northern Zone: Becky Byrns
Southeastern Zone: Christopher Keenan
Suffolk Zone: Matthew "Dezy" DiStefano (posthumous)
Western Zone: Mai Nguyen
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted Physical Education & Sport: Eric Kohl
Aquatics: Shawn S. Parkhurst
Coaches: Cheryl Polinsky
Council of Administrators (COA): Gregory L. Warren
Dance: Kaitlin Szczesny
Elementary/MS PE: Jonathan Connelly
Equity Diversity and Inclusiveness: NYC DOE Office of School Wellness Physical Education Instructional Team
Future Professionals: Lisa Sherman
Health: Catherine Cardina
Higher Education Professional Preparation: Sheri Treadwell
Recreation/Adventure Education: Kelly Ahern
Retirees: Lee E. Mittelstaedt
Secondary PE: Candace Sweeney
Technology: Jessica A. Synenki
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Barb Wurz
Catskill Zone: Jennifer Evans
Central North Zone: Amy Coleman
Central South Zone: Helena Baert
Central Western Zone: Melissa Pierce
Nassau Zone: Henry G. Opperman, Jr
New York City Zone: RaLuca Gruin
Northern Zone: Sean Scordo
Southeastern Zone: David P. Gatta
Suffolk Zone: James Wright
Western Zone: Kate Huber
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted Physical Education & Sport: Brianne Blaszak
Aquatics: Jacqueline Graves
Coaches: Fred Ahart
Dance: Alissa Staub
Elementary/Middle School PE: Meghan Ripstein
Exercise Science/Sports Medicine: Dustin Verga
Future Professionals: Michael Norris
Health: Jessica Hull
Higher Education Professional Preparation: Ellen Kowalski
Recreation/Adventure Education: Shawn Dillon
Retirees: Tom Howard
Secondary PE: Chrissy Popper
Technology: Ryan Fisk
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Carol Larkin
Catskill Zone: Jennifer Gravelle
Central North Zone: Sandy Williams
Central South Zone: Nick Kline
Central Western Zone: Kelly Ahern
Nassau Zone: Michael Gordon
New York City Zone: Jana Moran
Northern Zone: Jillian Gaebel
Southeastern Zone: James Rose
Suffolk Zone: Vincent Altebrando (posthumous)
Western Zone: Andrea Norton
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Lisa Santos
Aquatics: Diane Hughes-Hicks
Coaches: Joe Stark
Dance: Maleda Funk
Elementary/Middle School PE: Terry Gendron
Future Professionals: Rod Mergardt
Health: Charlie Rizzuto
Higher Education/Professional Preparation: Michael Norris
Recreation/Adventure Ed: Kiki Seago
Retirees: Sandy Morley
Secondary PE: Tracey Engle
Technology: James Rose
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Ashley Chapple
Catskill Zone: Tami Coney
Central North Zone: Tamela Ray
Central South Zone: Terry Hagenbuch
Central Western Zone: Brianne Blaszak
Nassau Zone: Bob Kenney
New York City Zone: Srecko Mavrek
Northern Zone: Janelle Wingerter
Southeastern Zone: Rhonda Clements
Suffolk Zone: Jeremy Thode
Western Zone: Kelly Strong
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Hiroyuki Yamada
Aquatics: Kathleen Purdy
COA: James Wright
Coaches: Gary Bynon
Dance: Brandon Herwick
Elementary/Middle School PE: Tom Micucci
Future Professionals: Melissa Pierce
Health: Colleen Corsi
Higher Education/Professional Preparation: Mara Manson
Retirees: Bob Zifchock
Secondary PE: Barb Newton
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Ryan Patrie
Catskill Zone: Leo Sladewski
Central North Zone: Shelly Connors
Central South Zone: Teresa McKinney
Central Western Zone: Jon MacKerchar
Nassau Zone: PJ Cody
Northern Zone: Lori Brewer
NYC Zone: Amy Monsegur-Colon
Southeastern Zone: Laura Owen
Suffolk Zone: Finola Schmidt
Western Zone: Heather Ratka
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Tracy Sharlow
Aquatics: James Cutrone
Coaches: Monica Tooley
COA: Jim Rose
Dance: Cindi Parise
Elementary/MS PE: Ken Wojehowski
Future Professionals: Ken Demas
Health: Ryan Fisk
Higher Ed/Prof Prep: Melissa Pierce
Recreation/Adventure Ed: Raluca Gruin
Retirees: Helen Robinson
Secondary PE: Chris Wert
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Jessica Hull
Catskill Zone: Laura Pietropaolo
Central North Zone: Diane Penella
Central South Zone: Greg Woolever
Central Western Zone: Alissa Ingerick
Nassau Zone: Vera Trenchfield
New York City Zone: Dr. Jane Katz
Northern Zone: Shayne Sudol
Southeastern Zone: June Lagan
Suffolk Zone: Rollin Haffer
Western Zone: Sheryl Kelley
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Matthew Dadey
Aquatics: Lori Friend
Dance: Hossy Habashzada
Elementary/MS PE: Donn Tobin
Future Professionals: Jason Quitoni
Exercise Science/Sports Med: George Forrester
Health: Lisa Sherman
Higher Ed/Prof Prep: Clancy Seymour
Recreation/Adventure Ed: Sara Lester
Retirees: William 'Skip' Earle
Secondary PE: Allison Relyea
Zone Amazing People
Capital Zone: Robert Oates
Catskill Zone: Lynda Bracken
Central North Zone: Bruce Risley
Central South Zone: Marianne Hertzog
Central Western Zone: Jill MacKerchar
Nassau Zone: Ryan Fisk
New York City Zone: Shawn Ladda
Northern Zone: Catherine Henry
Southeastern Zone: Laura Shaw
Suffolk Zone: Ed Shivokevich
Western Zone: Stacy Walker
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: E. Ann Davis
Aquatics: Jane Katz
Council of Administrators: Dennis Fries
Elementary / Middle School PE: Lori Bifarella
Future Professionals: Sandy Bargainnier
Health: Nancy DeKorp
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Lynn Couturier
Retirees: Sandy Jago
Secondary PE: Kirstjan Seago
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Laura Showers
Catskill: Ken Wojewhowski
Central North: Meg Gibbons
Central South: Julie Dietrich
Central Western: Paula Hamada Summit
Nassau: Alyson Lamonte
New York City: Virginia Matthews
Northern: Gail Mattraw
Southeastern: Margaret Robelee
Suffolk: Dan Robinson
Western: Clancy Seymour
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Justin Haegele
Aquatics: Srecko Maverk
Council of Administrators: Lloyd Mott
Coaches: Jerome "Jerry" Casciani
Dance: Leslie Pieters
Elementary / Middle School PE: Tara Nelsen
Future Professionals: Joseph Winnick
Health: Donna Videto
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Elaine Gregory
Recreation / Adventure Education: Monica Wolfe
Retirees: Wendy Cooper
Secondary PE: Shelly Connors
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Marc Vachon
Catskill: Kelly Striefler
Central North: Wendi Haynes-Eklund
Central South: Eric Laine, II
Central Western: Michelle Craig
Nassau: Lauren Friszell
Northern: Amber Wilcox
Southeastern: Jean Mazzilli
Suffolk: Lynn Hefele
Western: Sara Lester
Click here to read the award recipient bios.
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Joe Winnick
Aquatics: RaLuca Gruin
Coaches: Rob Kolb
Dance: Carol Powers
Elementary / Middle School PE: Laura Shaw
Exercise Science / Sports Medicine: Gilbert Callan
Future Professionals: Eric Malmberg
Health: Lori Reichel
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Nana Koch
Recreation / Adventure Education: Elaine Hage
Secondary PE: Jane Connors
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Allison Relyea
Catskill: Mike Kroemer
Central North: Darleen Philpotts
Central South: Wendy Balachick
Central Western: Jason Lehmbeck
Nassau: Jackie Beihoff
Northern: Donna MacPherson
Southeastern: Rod Mergardt
Suffolk: Maryann Hamilton
Western: Erin Lingle
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Renee McCall
Aquatics: Angela Beale
Coaches: Dave Zawatson
Council of Administrators: Dave Garbarino
Dance: Kaylie LaLota
Elementary / Middle School PE: Chris Wert
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Shawn Ladda
Recreation / Adventure Education: Ed Leak
Retirees: Claire Demas
Golden Years Award: Virginia "Ginny" Kendall
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Anne Downes
Catskill: Linda Chumas
Central North: Monica Wolfe
Central South: Murphee Hayes
Central Western: Jeff Alger
Nassau: Jill Scheinberg
Northern: Carol Zimmerman
Southeastern: Maryanne Ceriello
Suffolk: Peter Leis
Western: Randy Williams
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Kelly Schulz
Aquatics: John McVan
Coaches: Tom Graham
Dance: Marisol Sevilla-Mahler
Elementary / Middle School PE: Tom Winiecki
Exercise Science Sports Medicine: Srecko Mavrek
Health: Gregg Kirchofer
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Ariela Herman
Recreation / Adventure Education: Tim McQuade
Retirees: Ken Demas
Secondary PE: Laura Blitzer
Future Professionals: Dr. Jeff Lindauer
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Bob Collen
Catskill: Michelle Henn
Central North: Christina Buschmann
Central South: Teresa Price
Central Western: Janet Swarthout
Nassau: Paula Luparello
New York City: Wanda Buie
Northern: Tracy Sharlow
Southeastern: Donn Tobin
Suffolk: Laura Zavatto
Western: Julie Murray
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Helen Robinson
Aquatics: Janet Carey
Coaches: Joshua Berlin
Dance: Colleen Buchanan
Elementary / Middle School PE: Laura Zavatto
Future Professionals: Alisa James
Health: Rebecca Carmen
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Jeffrey Walkuski
Recreation / Adventure Education: Mark Yaeger
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Jennifer Mead / Fran Vincent
Catskill: Bart 'Woody' Woodworth
Central North: John Wells
Central South: Kerri Bullock
Central Western: Fritz Killian
Nassau: Tara Nelson
Northern: Mary Arcadi
New York City: Rose Gelrod
Southeastern: Jody Cole
Suffolk: Carol Powers
Western: Lori Potter
Section Amazing People
EMSPES: Howard Weiss
Future Professionals: Jack Hogan
Health: Dominick Splendorio
Higher Ed / Professional Prep: Alisa James
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Jack Baker
Secondary Phys Ed: Catharine Haight
Zone Amazing People
Catskill: Joanne Woodworth
Central South: Lisa Hrehor
Central West: Susan Petersen
Nassau: Maureen Kuperberg
New York City: Tong Ngo
Northern: Danielle Bartow Grant
Southeastern: Denise Tomici
Suffolk: Denise Marie Kiernan
Western: Courtney Kelly
Section Amazing People
Adapted: Mary Ellen Whitney
Aquatics: Steve Busch
Dance: Michelle Denino-Gordon
Elementary/MS Phys Ed: William "Skip" Earle
Future Prof: Laura Uhly
Health: Lonnie Wilson
Higher Ed: Cathy Houston Wilson
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Janet and Michael Marcus
Secondary Phys Ed: Laura Petersen
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Carol Atkins
Catskill: Terry Muthig-Seekamp
Central North: Tom Winiecki
Central South: Moira Gae Riddleberger
Central West: Luz Cruz
Nassau: Mara Manson
New York City: Eric Pliner
Northern: Lisa Lane
Southeastern: Marion Scarano
Suffolk: Jack Foley
Western: Bobbie Becker
Section Amazing People
Adapted: Doug Collier
COA: Robert Zifchok
Dance: Ann Morris
Future Prof: Ellen Kowalski
Health: Ron Burke
Higher Ed: Shannnon Whalen
Leisure Adventure: Cynthia Matteson
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Lee Walls
Secondary Phys Ed: Jason Lehmbeck
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Wendy O'Connor
Catskill: Joanne Cox
Central North: Maryann Boxberger
Central South: Steve Busch
Central West: Rick Amundson
Nassau: Tami Ann DeRose
Northern: Crystal Hayman
Southeastern: Dona Dimaggio
Suffolk: Leah Holland Fiorentino
Western: Scott Roberts
Section Amazing People
Adapted: Sara Daggett
Aquatics: Roy Speedling
COA: Mike White
ES/MS Phys Ed: Maryanne Ceriello
Future Prof: Jeff Walkuski
Health: Sue Kessler
Higher Ed: Mary Trotto
Leisure Adventure: Jack Foley
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Judy Ingram
Secondary Phys Ed: Catherine Dodd
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Carol Gerbing
Catskill: Kathleen Hoerup
Central North: Pat Cahill
Central West: Maureen Sharrow
Nassau: Joan Potter
NYC: Lori Rose Benson
Northeastern: Mark Searles
Northern: Sarah Fiacco
Southeastern: Lisa Sherman
Suffolk: Joanne Hamilton
Western: Jennifer Higgins
Section Amazing People
Adapted: Diane Craft
ES/MS Phys Ed: Luz Cruz
Exercise Science /Sports Med: Steve Barell
Future Prof: Sal Piscitelli
Higher Ed: Susan Petersen
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Joe Torre
Secondary Phys Ed: Catherine Deans
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Eric Freestone
Catskill: Suzannah Coelho
Nassau: Tom Graham
Northern: Barbara Sanford
Southeastern: Lois Codispoti
Suffolk: Robert Christenson
Section Amazing People
Adapted: Marlene Von Vange
Aquatics: Henry Veix
ES/MS Phys Ed: Bob Brown
Future Prof: Cathy Houston-Wilson
Health: Kim McLaughlin
Higher Ed: Larry Butler
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Jean Kramer
Secondary: Judy Updike
Zone Amazing People
Capital: Joann Sabourin
Catskill: Harold Fried
Central North: Nicholas Cestaro
Central West: Kathy Boughton
Nassau: Rhonda Clements
Northern Zone: Lee Mittlestaedt
Suffolk: Mike Schwenk
Western Zone: Sharon Czemerys
Section Amazing People
Adapted PE: Wayde E. Herneisey
Aquatics: Judith Vink VanBortl
Coaches: Ronald Woodruff
ES/MS: Paula Hamada Summit
Future Prof: Ron and Donna Feingold
Health: Heather Collier
Higher Ed: Thomas Fay
Ginny Kendall Award (Retirees): Ed Woolston
Zone Amazing People
Catskill: Roberta Greene
Central North: Eric Malmberg
Nassau: Judy Ann Trujillo
Northern: Sandy Macomber
Southeastern: Diana Boryk
Suffolk: Michele Dougherty
Section Amazing People
Adapted: Lauren Lieberman
ES/MS Phys Ed: Rhonda Petroccelli
Future Prof: Leah Fiorentino
Health: Sharon Czemerys
Health: Alan Zarrow
Health: Jeannet Dippo
Higher Ed: Sarah Doolittle
Retirees: Virginia "Ginny" Kendall
Secondary: Barbara Muller
Zone Amazing People
Capital: John DeMeo
Catskill: Keith Kleinsmith
Central Western: Rick LaPaglia
Central Western: Mike Salerno
Central Western: Ella Schultheis
Nassau: Francine DeBolt Clark
NYC: Roy Bernstein
NYC: Kathleen Walker
Northern: Anne Ray
South Eastern: Margaret Greco
South Eastern: Emily Watson
Suffolk: Martin Albert
Suffolk: Robert DelRosso
Western: Philip Coyle
1999 Section Amazing People
Adapted: Sandy Williams
Dance: Claire Demas
ES/MS: Richard Rhatigan
Future Professionals: Jerry Krause
Health - Shelby Callahan Award for Excellence in Health Ed: Scott Roberts
Retiree: Stewart R. Bogdanoff
Secondary: Janet Marcus
Lifetime Achievement Award in Health Ed: Cary F. Lucas and Rebecca Gardner
1999 Zone Amazing People
Catskill: Dennis Deocheff
Central Western: Dave Swinson
Central Western: Sandy Jago
Central Western: Alan P. Peppard
Central Western: Toni Hagerman
Nassau: Judy Salerno
Northern: Ed Woolston
Southeastern: Patti Robinson
Suffolk: Barbara Degree
Suffolk: Steven Esposito
Suffolk: Jean Geyer
Western: Roberta Dluhy
1998 Section Amazing People
Adapted Phys Ed: Jill Vomacka
Aquatics: Cindy Kohl
Coaches: Henry Burdick
Dance: Elana Wills
ES/MS Physical Education: Jean Kraemer
1998 Zone Amazing People
Capital: Mary Ozarowski
Capital: Mary-Ellen Snelson-Whitney
Catskill: Roy Speedling
Central South: Kate Merrill
Central Western: Ronald L. Whitcomb
Central Western: Tracy Beckwith Perkins
Nassau: Ellen Kowalski
South Eastern: Robert M. Smalt
South Eastern: Frank Bartok
Suffolk: Marvin Minshki
1997 Amazing People
Central South: Patricia Roth
Catskill: Rhonda Petroccelli
Catskill: Janet Carey
Nassau: Rosemary Daly
Nassau: Leah Holland Fiorentino
1996 Amazing People
Capital: Vicki Bylsma
Capital: Dorothy Mahar
Capital: Janet Mikovich
1995 Amazing People
Capital: "Doc" Holliday
Suffolk: Mike Tully