FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AAPAR Names Dr. Monica Lepore as the 2009 Honor Award Recipient

Reston, VA – The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) named Dr. Monica Lepore as its 2009 Honor Award recipient, AAPAR's highest recognition. The award was presented at AAPAR's General Session & Keynote Address on April 2 at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD) National Convention & Exposition in Tampa, Florida.

Lepore is professor in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Health Sciences at West Chester University, PA, and the program director of its Adapted Physical Education minor, which she initiated. She also created a 15-credit master's certificate in adapted physical education. She educates students about how to include children with disabilities into physical activity programs.

For the past thirty years she has taught children and teens with disabilities in the gym and the pool. Her specialty is adapted aquatics, and she is the lead author of the text Adapted Aquatics Programming, as well as a DVD, "Introduction to Adapted Aquatics," which teaches aquatic instructors how to incorporate children with disabilities into their lessons.

She's been involved in adapted aquatics since 1978 as a former American Red Cross Adapted Aquatics Instructor and current AAPAR Master Teacher of Adapted Aquatics. In 2000 she reengineered AAPAR's adapted aquatics program, training instructor candidates how to be Master Teachers. Since then Lepore has successfully promoted the adapted aquatics program and trained numerous Master Teachers through AAPAR's Council for Aquatic Professionals. In 2008 she initiated the first collaborative online blended course in adapted aquatics.

"Monica has been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, a leader and mentor to dozens," Richard LaRue, AAPAR President, said. "It is my pleasure to present her with AAPAR's highest honor."

Lepore has received numerous other awards and honors, including AAPAR Adapted Physical Education Professional of the Year; Pennsylvania State Adapted Physical Activity Professional of the Year; the International Swimming Hall of Fame Adapted Aquatics Award; a Pennsylvania House of Representative Citation and a Senate Citation for her advocacy for people with disabilities. She is a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE), a Master Teacher of Adapted Aquatics, a Lifeguard, and Water Safety Instructor.

Lepore has a BS in physical education from a collaborative program between the College of Mt. St. Vincent and Manhattan College. She also has an MS in adapted physical education from the University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse, and a PhD in leadership in adapted physical education from New York University.

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Contact:
AAPAR Communications Coordinator
aapar@aahperd.org
703-476-3430

AAPAR, one of 5 national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), serves more than 8,600 professors, teachers, trainers, and community leaders who promote meaningful physical activity and recreation across the lifespan. AAPAR advocates fitness and fun for every body, with a focus on inclusive community based programs.

The vision of AAHPERD is "Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!" Headquartered in Reston, VA, 25 miles west of Washington, DC, AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport--all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. Its mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport by providing its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.