At WHS, academic performance is honored with recognition such as honor roll, distinguished honor roll and National Honor Society. However, 12 years ago, WHS physical education teacher Ralph Corey decided to recognize students beyond rigorous schedules and report cards.
Corey saw his idea for a new recognition program come to life more than a decade ago and has been able to expand on it ever since, creating new opportunities for all WHS students through the designation of P.E. Warrior.
“The whole idea was to recognize students who may not be recognized for their academics or athletics,” said Corey. “[P.E. Warrior is] a way to praise students who come to class, work extremely hard, are consistent in their effort and performance and someone who goes above and beyond to help out around class.”
Over the years, Corey and the P.E. department have expanded the meaning and popularity of the award, seeing more and more winners’ efforts in class rewarded. There is even a designation for a four-time winner, entitled the Ultimate P.E. Warrior.
“P.E. Warrior is rewarding because it gives purpose to my effort. Some people tend to overlook physical education, but I think it’s a super important part of high school,” said senior and Ultimate P.E. Warrior, Ashley Yenawine. “Getting the award validates all the effort I put in [to P.E. class].”
For some, seeing their peers’ success in P.E. class can be motivating enough to try to win for themselves. Yenawine added, “My freshman year, I saw my senior soccer captain, Sutton Factor, win it four times. After I won the first time, I was determined to keep winning.”
The tradition of P.E. Warrior has evolved since its beginning, with the rewards and number of winners changing, though the selection process and credentials have remained the same.
“When we first started, it was basically just taking pictures of students. Along the way, we ended up adding different rewards. We’ve done gift cards and t-shirts with different colors corresponding to how many times a student has won, and built a social media platform as well,” said Corey. “The biggest accomplishment and reward we were able to establish was a scholarship for two students.”
The scholarship is endowed to seniors who have received the title of P.E. Warrior, regardless of how many times they have received the award. However, Corey stated that the more times you have won the award, the more likely you are to be considered for the scholarship.
Senior Aubree Stahler, another Ultimate P.E. Warrior, added, “P.E. Warrior is such a special tradition because it awards kids who might not have expected to win. When I first won, I was shocked because I was just being myself and having fun. However, once I won twice, I realized how much I actually enjoyed being a P.E. Warrior, just cheering on my friends and bringing good energy to class.”
Both Stahler and Yenawine emphasized the “recipe for success” to become a P.E. Warrior, let alone an Ultimate P.E. Warrior. “I always try to be extremely positive and always participate during class,” said Stahler. “I also make an effort to help set up or clean up and talk to the gym teachers about their day or what we are doing in class, just to show that I’m engaged.”
Yenawine has a slightly different approach: “The recipe for success to be an Ultimate P.E. Warrior is simple. I change my clothes every day: top and bottom. Second, I do the warmup every time. Third, probably the most important, I’m a little bit competitive, usually to a fault, but it looks pretty good when they are considering a winner.”
The selection process for P.E. Warrior, conducted by the physical education teachers at their department meetings, has changed with the new schedule and P.E. class rotation this school year.
“Each teacher will bring eight students’ names to our department meeting, and we sit down and talk about each student, why they’re being recognized and their contributions to the classroom,” said Corey. The department then takes a vote on eight total for the month.
According to Corey, before this year, there were two P.E. Warriors per grade each month, but the new schedule this year has led to mixed-grade classes, making the numbers for the award more flexible. “We don’t want to take it away from someone deserving just because there are two other students in their grade also worthy of the award,” said Corey.
Stahler also emphasized what has made her strive to earn P.E. Warrior for four years. “P.E. Warrior is rewarding because it’s the teachers recognizing how much effort you put in, but also makes me want to participate more,” said the senior. “I think for people in general, it makes them want to try a little harder [in P.E.]. I also have so much fun playing with my friends in class, and it’s nice to know the teachers see my enthusiasm.”
Westfield is a district honored for its excellence in the classroom and on the field, but for the last 12 years, P.E. Warrior has become a tradition that emphasizes the importance of dedication and effort. For any WHS student trying to become a P.E. Warrior themselves, the recipe is simple: be enthusiastic, work hard and above all, have fun.
