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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 new Graduate Assistant for Fitness & Wellness. I am a second 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. She also works in the Mackal Fitness Center and is a member of Sigma Kappa sorority on campus. Her 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 fourth year pharmacy student. I have been teaching the fitness classes at URI for three 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: I am just beginning my freshman year of college, along with my first year of teaching fitness. I am really excited about my new job because I feel that it builds upon my experience coaching gymnastics. Since the age of fourteen, I have been developing my own workout plans, and leading others in physical activities. I have been devoted to staying in excellent physical shape since my parents put me into gymnastics classes at the age of five. I have finally ended my career in gymnastics this April, and I intend to continue regular work outs.
“No one ever said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it."
Michelle Chappell: Before life at URI working out always felt like a chore, but now it's a part of me. In the past three years I have pushed myself harder than I ever thought I physically could. Some obstacles were easy while other felt impossible, but I found the inner strength in me to keep trying. I hope you too can push yourself beyond even your own expectations and find your inner strength.
Nicole Durand: I'm a sophomore 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
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 currently a sophomore here at the University of Rhode Island. I am a double major in Journalism and Fashion Merchandising and hope to one day be the editor of a fashion magazine. I love working out and staying fit and am extremely excited about being a part of the Fitness and Wellness staff here at the Rec Center.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
Jaime Lang: When I'm not reading and writing as an English graduate student, or being a runner on the South County Trail, or yogi, or hiker and traveler during the summers, I enjoy being a Spinning Instructor! I believe exercise should be holistic: a fit body is the means to a fit mind, an important concept if you're a student or teacher, or no matter what role(s) you play in life.
Exercise should bring motivation, strength, endurance, optimism, but most importantly--Fun!
Courtney Macksoud: I'm a junior Kinesiology major and plan to enter the Physical Therapy program at URI. I have taught aerobics at URI since freshman year and have taught many different forms of aerobics including water aerobics at a YMCA in my home town. I am from Rhode Island and love it!
“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: I have recently joined the 2007 Mackal Fitness Instructing staff. 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. This summer, I spent most of my time coordinating a special needs camp, Camp HEART. I worked together with the Board of Education and my hometown Parks and Recreation to ensure a successful summer. I was rehired at the end of this summer after being honored by the township for volunteer coordination. I was also certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) in June for Primary Group Fitness.
“The best way out is always working through.” - Robert Frost.
Jackie Muglia: I'm from New Jersey and I am currently a junior at URI and a Public Relations major. For as long as I can remember I have loved working out. Not only does it keep you in shape but it also teaches discipline and determination that you can apply throughout your life. As students we have enough worry about; exercising should be fun. I say bring on the endorphins!
Jolene Rambone: Hello, I come from a small town and live in the middle of the woods, but for as long as I can remember I have been playing sports. I have been playing hockey since I was four years old and have played volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey in my twenty years. I have learned a lot about staying healthy and keeping in shape from many different people and from a variety of sports. I love working with people and I love to help people. Can't wait to get started!
Abigail Salvini: Hi mostly everyone I know calls me Abby or Abbs. I'm from a small town in Massachusetts, where it is basically all farmland, therefore I'm not your average city girl. I have one brother who just joined the NAVY, a dog, and a kitten back home where I live with my parents when I'm not at school. I'm a Junior here at URI majoring in Nutrition & Dietetics, and one day I hope to become a registered dietitian, and also maybe even a personal trainer. I love to work out, and eat correctly so that I have a healthy body, and that is why this is the perfect thing for me to do. I care so much about health and wellness that it is basically my life!
"Always push yourself to your full potential and it just might surprise you how far you can go."
Sarika Saran: I am a native Rhode Islander from the town of Coventry. I am a junior studying Biomedical/Electrical Engineering and Spanish here at URI. I adopted exercising freshman year as a way to relieve stress from school work but now it seems I don’t have energy in the day without it. There are many reasons to stay healthy and be active so I say pick one and go for it!
Christine Schiemer: I am from NJ and currently am a sophomore here at the University of Rhode Island. I am majoring in communicative disorders preparing for a career in speech pathology. I very much enjoy working out and taking care of myself. I am looking forward to being a part of the
Fitness and Wellness staff.
"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
Molly Tierney: I am a junior 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!
Contact: |
Call 874-2822 | fitwell@etal.uri.edu |
