Tech student Francine Sanchez honored as Shape America Major of the Year
Athletic Coaching Education major Francine Meyer Sanchez was recently selected as the SHAPE America Major of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Educators. The prestigious award honors standout undergraduate students in the field of health, physical education, recreation and dance.
The daughter of Paulo Henrique Sanchez and Namat L. Meyer Sanchez of Sao Roque, Brazil, Sanchez began her undergraduate degree at WVU Tech in the Spring of 2014. She’s on track to complete her degree in only three and a half years and has consistently appeared on the Dean’s List in the WVU Tech’s College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Sanchez is an accomplished athlete and has been a four-year starter on the WVU Tech swim team where she excelled in butterfly and freestyle. She served as captain of the team for two years, represented the team in the National NAIA Swimming and Diving Tournament and was awarded the NAIA Champion of Character award two years in a row (2015 and 2016).
Majors of the Year are also recognized for their service to their school and community. Sanchez is an active volunteer within the community. She volunteers for the Kanawha County Human Association in Charleston, West Virginia. She has also volunteered her services at Saint Agnes School and Manna Meal.
“In my opinion, when you are working for your community, you are working to help build a better and healthier environment, not only for you but for others. I believe that helping others brings a sense of satisfaction,” she said.
She currently serves as the Vice-President of the WVU Tech Sport Studies Club. She represented WVU Tech at the October, 2016 West Virginia Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Annual Convention in Glade Springs, West Virginia. She has also served as secretary of the WVU Tech Media Crew, a student organization that produces videos of athletic teams and campus activities.
Sanchez plans to go to graduate school following her graduation in May. Her professional goal is to work as a head swimming and diving coach, preferably on the collegiate level.
“I am passionate to see people becoming the best version of themselves. I believe that coaching is such a noble profession, like teaching. You take an athlete that has problems with confidence, then you help him or her to overcome this problem. Isn’t that amazing?”
In March, Sanchez traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to participate in the organization’s annual convention. Reflecting on her college and athletic career, she said she’s honored to have been selected for the award.
“I had the chance to prove myself worthy and confirm that nothing is impossible with hard work and commitment,” she said.