Physical Education, more commonly referred to as PE, is a fun, engaging subject in school that focuses on the students’ physical skill and overall health and wellness. Despite being so fun, many students skimp out from taking it all four years. This is mainly due to the fact that they are only required to take it during their freshmen year, and there are other fun classes available. However, some tenacious students stick with it and persist all four years of their high school career. These students are referred to as PE Veterans. These PE Veterans are extremely rare to come by as only 3 are currently enrolled: John Kosierowski ’25, John Farrell ’25, and Alex Poole ’25.
PE provides the student with many advantages and taking it for four years straight the PE Veterans have discovered these advantages and reaped the benefits from almost all of them. One large advantage is a break from school. Kosierowski explains, “It’s a nice break in the school day where I can take a pause from all the academic work.” PE can be a breather from the hard brain strain that school bestows, and it allows you to change from scratchy khakis and an uncomfortable tie to soft sweatpants and a snuggly sweatshirt.
As previously mentioned, PE focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle and the student’s physical wellness. Not only can it enhance the student’s fitness, but it also improves mental health and encourages a habit of regular fitness. Farrell agrees, saying, “PE definitely helped my mental health over that last 4 years in many different ways.” This physical wellness also helped contribute to Poole enrolling in it for four years. “I like how it keeps me active through the school day,” Poole said.
Farrell has also discovered another benefit of PE, the development of teamwork and social skills. He states, “PE helped me connect with upperclassmen and other students that I wouldn’t have otherwise connected with.” Farrell finds PE to be a way to connect closer with his classmates and socialize over similar interests. He says his most memorable experience is “talking to Coach Sullivan about Notre Dame Football.”
While PE can provide a break from school, promote a healthy lifestyle, and develop teamwork, the main reason the PE Veterans have stuck through thick and thin is for the fun. Farrell says, “PE is a great time to take a break from work and have a great deal of fun.” Kosierowski too thoroughly enjoys the fun PE provides, saying, “The main benefit is the break in the middle of the day with no distractions or devices, to just have fun.” Furthermore, Kosierowski says his favorite experience is “definitely playing elimination in the wrestling room.” He likes how “there is always something happening” in PE class. PE also exposes the students to a variety of sports to see what they find the most fun. PE teacher Mr. Sullivan says they play “at least 12” sports each year. Some of the PE Veterans’ favorite sports include cricket, volleyball, pickle, and nitro ball.
The students aren’t the only ones having fun in PE class. Mr. Sullivan enjoys watching the students grow throughout the school year. “Seeing the development from the start of a unit to the end of a unit is probably my favorite experience of PE,” Mr. Sullivan says, “They added to the class by leading others. They know how it runs and follow the expectations. It’s been a joy to have them all four years.”
