A Lifetime of Leisure

Mid-February, Gordon College’s own, Marcos Castellano ’13, a Recreation and Leisure major with a minor Kinesiology, was chosen to receive the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association's Outstanding Student of the Year Award for 2013. 

“From the moment I met Marcos,” said Dr. Hothem, Department Head of Recreation and Leisure Studies.  “I knew that he was going to be not only a successful student at Gordon, but that his choice of Recreation was a good match for him. 

An extremely dedicated student, Castellano was nominated by Gordon’s Recreation and Leisure Department Head, Dr. Margaret Hothem, to receive this prestigious award from the MRPA.  This statewide award recognizes Castellano to have been highly involved in both the community and the recreation field in Massachusetts, as well as earning himself a high GPA while studying at Gordon.  

The Gordon community may recognize this Puerto Rican born senior by his status as a varsity captain of Gordon’s Swim Team, as a lifeguard in the Bennett Center or by his frequent involvement to a variety of RECIM sports.  These three commitments have been priorities for Castellano for the past four years.  He’s also been an Resistant Advisor while at Gordon.  Off of the college’s campus, he has been consistently involved with the local YMCA for the past five years and the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the past four years.  For these organizations he has been lifeguarding, supervising sports and afterschool programs building on his passion for connecting and building into families’ and children’s lives. 

           

It’s plain to see that Castellano has all the credentials to earn himself this award.  Giving up many Friday nights to spend studying in the Gordon Library, he has made his commitment to the field of recreation a priority. 

“I’m proud of myself,” said Castellano, “and how hard I’ve worked to receive such an honor.”

On March 13^th, Castellano will be headed down to Hyannis, MA to participate in the MRPA’s 28th State Conference and Trade Show, where he will be given the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association's Outstanding Student of the Year Award.  He is excited, not only to be recognized for this title, but also to spend the time networking with many professionals in the recreation field as well as attending seminars. 

Two days later, Castellano will be headed to UConn for the American College of Sports Medicine Strength and Conditioning Conference.

Castellano has had a deep passion for the field of recreation even before his time at Gordon began.   

“My interest in Recreation and Leisure field stemmed from my desire to teach and lead people how to lead healthy and enjoyable lifestyles,” he said.

Gordon’s academic programs have further inspired him to pursue a career in this field.

“Through my rec classes I’ve been able to learn the philosophy of how to do this and why it’s important to do this. My Kinesiology classes have taught me the science behind how to treat your body well.”

While some may consider leisure a lesser of the academic studies offered at Gordon, Castellano has learned differently.

“At Gordon I’ve learned that leisure is about more than just free time,” said Castellano.  “It has a more holistic meaning.  In my current classes (Theories and Cultural Values, Rec Activity Analysis, and Philosophies and Theories of Culture) we’re learning about the Greek word for leisure, ‘skole.’  This is the same word we derive our word for ‘school.’  It’s really all coming from the same roots but we’ve separated it.”

Dr. Hothem is proud to have her student representing both the college and the field of recreation. 

“Marcos came into the Recreation and Leisure studies major with the full knowledge of how recreation can be an influential tool for creating the ‘good’ in people’s lives,” said Dr. Hothem.  “He has an enthusiasm to share that fullness of life with others.”

Gordon has gained a reputation with the MRPA.  Castellano is not the first Gordon student to receive this award.  The MRPA has been giving out the Student of the Year Award for 18 years and 9 of those have been awarded to Gordon Students. 

“This says a lot about Gordon and our program,” said Castellano. “It’s bringing more awareness of the MRPA and what you can do in recreation. It’s bringing focus out of just being a PE teacher to broader things.”