December 15, 2022 By CDHD Congrats, graduating trainee Maddie Coleman! Commencement ceremonies for the University of Idaho took place over the weekend, releasing a new class of college grads into the world. Among those who walked the line to proudly accept their degree was CDHD trainee Maddie Coleman. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Exercise, Sport and Health Science with a minor in Pre-Health Professions. Congratulations, Maddie on your amazing achievement! We caught up with her before graduation day for a quick Q and A about her time at the CDHD and her future plans. How long have you been at the CDHD? Maddie: Just since August of this year! I’m a bit of a newbie. Oh! You’ve done so much in your short time here! What projects did you work on? Maddie: I have been working on the Healthy Active Lifestyles project. I started off with the beginning of a literature review, which I am still working on. I also help to run Movement classes a few times a week. In fact, I was fortunate enough to attend the AUCD national conference in Washington DC with fellow trainees Kellie and Victoria, supervisor Olivia, and other staff members to present our program of Movement in the Park in the framework of Healthy Active Lifestyles. That’s so great! I’m sure you’ve managed to rack up a few CDHD memories, but what was your favorite? Maddie: I’m going to cheat a little here and talk about two memories. They could technically be considered one because they both happened during our Movement in the Park classes. The first was while we were still hosting class in the park. We had just finished Wednesday’s class, and a song that one of our attendees really enjoyed came on while we were packing up and heading out. I grabbed the speaker and started a mini dance party, just her and I. It was three minutes of my life, and it was energizing and wonderful! The second was just the other day as Victoria was leading the group in some across-the-room exercises, and I was modeling the stationary adaptations. I got to stand to the side and watch as one of our regular attendees laughed and shouted and did their best to keep up with everyone else. The sheer delight written all over his face was contagious and fantastic. I often think, in moments like these, about how blessed I am to be able to do this for work. Joyful, fun, engaging work. Awesome! It’s amazing how small moments can make such a big impact. Maddie: Another small seemingly silly and insignificant moment was sitting on the plane on the way back from Washington DC. I introduced Kellie and Victoria to the game of MASH, and Olivia and Barbara decided to play with each other too. We laughed at our outrageously predicted futures (as well as how oddly normal mine turned out to be), and I loved hearing Barbara and Olivia giggle at theirs in the seats behind us. It was not any big event, but it’s one that glows warmly for me just because of the camaraderie of everyone here. That sounds like a lot of fun! And what’s next? What are your post-graduation plans? Maddie: My immediate future involves staying here in Moscow and continuing to work for the CDHD and Moscow Mountain Physical Therapy. I’m saving money and preparing for the GRE as well as my upcoming graduate school application. After May, I hope to finish my graduate school application and travel, maybe work some odd jobs just because I can – I’d like to try some new things! The end goal is to attend a university to achieve my doctorate in physical therapy and go on to practice somewhere. I’m very excited for what the future holds! From all of us at the CDHD, congratulations, Maddie! Thank you for your time, hard work and skills. We know that your talent, passion and dedication will carry on to whatever is next. We are looking forward to seeing all of the amazing things you will accomplish!