Finn Wardwell: Outstanding Student in Health and Physical Education

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 UMaine, 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 UMaine?

The University of Maine 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 UMaine better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at UMaine?

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

What has coming to UMaine 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 UMaine Memory:

My favorite memories from UMaine 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 UMaine.

What’s 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 UMaine. I’m not always the easiest to deal with, but the patience and support I’ve 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.