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Meet The Group Fitness Instructors
Leticia DaSilva Orozco B.S., C.P.T.: I am a graduate from the University of Connecticut, with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Exercise Science and a Minor in Sport Nutrition. I am currently working on finishing my Master’s of Science in Human Performance from Southern Connecticut State University. My Thesis is a concentration in Sport Psychology. I am a certified Personal Trainer, a certified Group Exercise Instructor, an Ace Certified Stretch specialist, a Nautilus certified instructor, and a Professional Rescuer. I have over 8 years as a Fitness Manager and have been a certified trainer for 10 years. I have trained Policemen, Firemen, Athletes, Body Builders, Children, Seniors, and everyone in between. I have taught kickboxing, boot camp, step, interval, water aerobics, floor aerobics and strengthening classes.
I am very excited to be the Coordinator of Fitness/Wellness at URI. I hope to make some exciting changes and look forward to meeting students, faculty and staff.
Cheryl Naylor, Graduate Assistant - Fitness & Wellness: I’ve been teaching aerobics for five years, and I’m so excited to be the Graduate Assistant for Fitness & Wellness. I am a third year grad student in the Physical Therapy department at URI. My hobby is running in road races all over RI! I think of myself as a great fitness motivator.
“The prerequisite for happiness is the ability to get fully involved in life.” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
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Becky Albright: Currently I am a senior studying Nutrition/Dietetics with a minor in Exercise Science. I also work in the Mackal Fitness Center and am a member of Sigma Kappa sorority on campus. My favorite activities include shopping, singing, dancing, exercising!!!, rock climbing, skydiving, hiking and hanging out with friends.
"I believe that perfection is unattainable, life's too short, however always strive to be the best that you can be with anything you do and success will follow."
Cheryl Auger: Hello, I am a fifth year pharmacy student. I have been teaching the fitness classes at URI for four and a half years. I started taking the fitness classes my freshman year and loved them. With my coaching background in gymnastics and fourteen years of experience competing, I decided working at the Mackal Fitness Programs was the job for me! I love coming to work every day, knowing I’m going to have fun and I strive to make every class fun for the participants. Hope to see everyone in class!
"Exercise is good for your mind, body, and soul." - Susie Michelle Cortright
Lisa Auger: Hi everyone! My name is Lisa Auger and this is my third semester teaching aerobics class here at the gym. Throughout high school I both did, and taught gymnastics. When I came to URI I was looking for something to keep me in shape and that I would really enjoy. Teaching classes at the gym has definitely been a great way to stay in shape and to keep teaching. I’m currently in the pharmacy program and will be studying at URI until 2013.
“No one ever said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it."
Michelle Chappell: I am a psychology major from Warwick, Rhode Island. This will be my fourth year as a Group Exercise Employee. Over the past four years I have pushed myself harder than I have ever imagined. While it is a difficult journey it has been an amazing one, because I learn new and exciting ways to push myself harder with the different types of classes we offer here. I hope you can come to our Group Exercise classes and push yourself the same way I do!
Kristen D’Entremont: Hi my name's Kristen, I'm a sophomore bio/ premed major here at URI. I love staying active through the gym and sports and I feel like the gym classes are a fun, exciting way to do that. I'm from New Hampshire and I also like skiing and snowboarding in the winter and swimming and boating in the summer.
There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream. –Unknown
Nicole Durand: I'm a junior here at the University of Rhode Island. I am a Kinesiology (Pre-Physical Therapy) major. I am from East Providence, Rhode Island, where I played basketball and softball in high school. I love working out, being with my peers and motivating others!
"Energy and persistence conquer all things."- Benjamin Franklin
Jessie Franco: I'm from New Jersey and I am currently a senior exercise science major. I plan on attending graduate school for occupational therapy next year. I love exercising because it is a great stress reliever and makes me feel great after a long day!
Christine Heal: I am a senior here at the University, although I hope that this upcoming year will not be the end of my stay here in Rhode Island. My field of study is exercise science and it has become more of a passion as opposed to a major. Teaching aerobics classes the past few years has been a great experience!!!
"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor" – Cicero
Marla Horenbein: I am from Edison, NJ and a Junior here at URI and am a double major in Journalism and Textiles, Merchandising and Design. I absolutely love working out and am so happy to be a part of the Fitness & Wellness Staff! Some of my favorite classes to teach and participate in are Ab Attack, Rhody Rope, and Kickboxing so come check them out!
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
Erin Jackson: Erin is a graduate student in the Department of Marine Affairs. She did her undergrad in marine sciences, but has always enjoyed participating in group exercise. She is really excited to join the staff this year!
Courtney Macksoud: I am a first year graduate student in the Physical Therapy Program. I am from North Smithfield, Rhode Island. I have been teaching aerobics at URI since my freshman year and I love it! I like to keep classes interesting and different by always trying new things. Feel free to ask me any questions!
“Ability is what you're capable of doing, motivation determines what you do, and attitude determines how well you do it.”
Kathleen Melanson: I am a faculty member in the NFS Department here at URI. I have a blast doing aerobics! It's so much fun to move to music, and have plenty of great company in doing so! Plus it has great bonuses, not only for the sake of health, but it also helps me stay fit for other fun activities, like skiing, kayaking, hiking, rollerblading, and chasing my toddler around!
"Live, Love, Laugh, and Stay Healthy" :-)
Christina Mirra: Even though I am a Forensic Accounting major, I hope fitness takes me through a long road. If I’m not seen in step or abs classes, I am usually running either through a neighborhood in my hometown in New Jersey, or on the boardwalk at a local beach. I was certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) last June for Primary Group Fitness.
“The best way out is always working through.” - Robert Frost.
Abigail Salvini: I am currently a senior studying Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Kinesiology. I have been a part of the URI aerobics program for two years now, and I am very excited to be a part of it again this year. Working out, being active, and staying fit are excellent qualities of life, and I'm just glad I can play a part in helping others live that lifestyle.
"Always push yourself to your full potential and it just might surprise you how far you can go."
Christine Schiemer:
Hi everyone! I am from Northern New Jersey and a junior here at URI! I am majoring in Communicative Disorders planning a career as a speech-language pathologist. I have been a dancer for the past 17 years, so becoming a group fitness instructor just seemed to be a great next step for me! This will be my second year working with the Fitness and Wellness staff. I love to work out, it really helps to clear my mind and I feel better about myself.
"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
Molly Tierney: I am a senior from Pawtucket, RI. I started doing these fitness classes as a freshman and have been addicted ever since!! I love staying active, and these classes offer so many unique ways to achieve just that. It’s difficult sometimes to make time for everything being the hectic students we all are, but for me, nothing beats the feeling after a tough workout!! Come see for yourself!
Brooke Vecchio: Hi. I am Brooke from Cranston, RI! I am an instructor here at URI and I absolutely love it :) I also work at a pre-school in Cranston for my 4th year now. I am so excited because I am graduating in May with an Elementary Education degree as well as a Psychology degree!
Contact: |
Call 874-2822 | fitwell@etal.uri.edu |
