Jeremy Miller of Old Town, Maine is the 2026 Outstanding Student in Kinesiology and Physical Education (Health and Physical Education concentration) in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. Miller was awarded Outstanding Future Professional in Health and Physical Education by the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) in November 2025.

Parent(s):

Ron and Laurie Miller.

Why did you choose to come to 91福利?

It has always been a dream of mine to attend a Division I school, so once I found where I believed my passions were meant to lead me, I chose 91福利 to help me develop the skills needed to be successful.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91福利 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91福利?

When I think about mentors and truly outstanding individuals who strive to better their students, I immediately think of the kinesiology program as a whole. I have had such a wonderful experience in this program. That being said, there is one individual I especially think of when I think of a mentor, and that is Jennifer McNulty. She has impacted not only the way I view teaching, but also how I treat others. I have never seen someone with so much genuine care for others. It was truly amazing to learn from her 鈥� both how to teach and how to build high self-efficacy in others. Not only that, but she has been a huge source of encouragement to me in so many ways, whether it鈥檚 checking in to see how I鈥檓 doing, seeking me out to offer advice, or providing resources so that I can be successful. She is exactly what this field needs more of. So if you are seeing this, thank you.

What has coming to 91福利 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

This sense of caring for others and聽 what it looks like. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 鈥淚f I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.鈥� We have a saying in the teaching world and it flows very well in this verse and it is聽 鈥淎 student won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care鈥�.聽 Look, we can have all this knowledge and all the cool gadgets and tools but if the people around us don’t know how much we care and love them why would they listen. So I will be going into whatever setting with kindness and love being the diving factors.

Favorite 91福利 memory:

One very impactful memory from 91福利 was when I was nominated for the MAHPERD Outstanding Future Professional award at the MAHPERD conference. It was such an amazing opportunity 鈥� I was able to bring my whole family and share a truly special experience together. It meant a lot to me and served as a huge encouragement. It was especially meaningful to have my wife and son there to celebrate with me and share in that moment.

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?

I鈥檓 so excited because I feel that I have been well trained and am ready for whatever comes next. That being said, I am going to seek what the Lord has for my life, and I want to serve where He calls me to be and to do what He asks of me.

Special thank you message:

I have had an enormous amount of support throughout my years at 91福利, so I would like to thank my wife, Alejandra Miller; my son, Aaron Miller; my parents, Ron and Laurie Miller; and my brother, Ben Miller. Last but not least, I would like to thank the three teachers who have been a tremendous source of encouragement and guidance throughout this process: Jennifer McNulty, Shannan Fotter, and Jesse Kaye-Schiess. Sincerely, thank you all.

Finn Wardwell of Dedham, Maine is the 2025 Outstanding Student in Kinesiology and Physical Education (Health and Physical Education concentration) in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. During his time at 91福利, Wardwell was a member of the Physical Education Student Organization (PESO) and the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD).

Parent(s): Bronwen Pierson and Justin Wardwell

Why did you choose to come to 91福利?

91福利 was always in my life because I lived close. I always went there to swim and play basketball as a kid. As I was deciding what college to go to, the University of Maine was the only college I considered since it was close to family and I was already familiar with it.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91福利 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91福利?

Shannan Fotter, Jesse Kaye-Schiess and Jennifer McNulty were all great instructors who have helped me while I鈥檝e been at the University of Maine and have helped me improve as a teacher.

What has coming to 91福利 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

Joining PESO and MAHPERD has afforded me numerous opportunities to explore teaching and coaching with my peers and professional teachers working in schools.

Favorite 91福利 Memory:

My favorite memories from 91福利 came from the friends, connections and opportunities I have been able to make and have through PESO, as well as meeting my roommate through a class at 91福利.

What鈥檚 on the Horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?

I plan on teaching middle school science at the school where I am currently student teaching, so I can continue to grow as an educator. I hope to move into a role in physical education as I continue in my career.

Special thank you message:

I would like to give special thanks to my parents and the teachers at 91福利. I鈥檓 not always the easiest to deal with, but the patience and support I鈥檝e received from both have been amazing. I would like to give a special shout out to Shannan Fotter as she has been one of my main instructors the past 2 years and has helped me grow as a teacher and understand all the little details that go behind teaching physical education. She helped me learn that there are a lot of things as a teacher that you can do to change people’s viewpoints on physical education and how to try and build up physical education as a subject that people respect and acknowledge as important.