May 18, 2018
Schubert and Davis are SIU RSS Student Employees of the Month
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Ashley Davis, of Festus, Mo., and Hayden Schubert, of Du Quoin, have been selected as the most recent winners of the Student Employee of the Month honors by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Recreational Sports and Services.
Recreational Sports and Services presents the Student Employee of the Month award to recognize students for outstanding effort and service. Davis and Schubert were chosen for as award co-winners for March.
Schubert worked as fitness instructor
The son of Carl and Tracy Schubert, Hayden received his bachelor’s degree in musical theater this month, graduating magna cum laude.
He worked for three years at RSS, serving as a group fitness instructor. He said the position taught him how to work as part of a unit to meet the needs of patrons and also helped him improve his social skills and ability to handle the unexpected.
Patrons and staff praise Schubert’s work
“Hayden did a fantastic job this year teaching group exercise and creating new classes for our group exercise schedule. His Spring Break Boot Camp class was a huge success,” Savannah Ashbaugh, fitness coordinator, said. “He not only gave it his all during class, but was eager to get feedback from the class to continue his growth as an exercise instructor.”
She said class participants praised Schubert’s professionalism, personality, energy level and teaching abilities.
Schubert’s plans include pursuing a theatrical career and his goal is to work his way up to the level of New York theatre.
Davis worked in inclusive recreation
The daughter of Timothy and Tamara Davis, Ashley worked this year as an Access Inclusive Recreation (AIR) trainer for RSS. She received her master’s degree this month in recreation professions, specializing in therapeutic recreation. She previously completed her bachelor’s degree in health science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Davis said working in SIU’s inclusive facility and gaining experience in a recreational setting helping individuals with a range of disabilities will have a positive impact on her career. She has also enjoyed working individually with clients, people from the community and colleagues. She said she is grateful for the resulting relationships and feeling valued and appreciated for her work.
Clients and staff applaud Davis
“During her employment with the AIR program, Ashley has demonstrated a willingness to learn about her clients’ needs, desires and wishes to create a motivating workout for them and she keeps up with the current research about their specific disabilities,” Barbara Tyler, fitness and aquatics aide, said.
Tyler said Davis cared well for her own clients, including designing, implementing, monitoring and documenting all sessions, and she assisted other AIR partner/trainers as needed.
Clients describe Davis as helpful and friendly and said she makes their sessions fun.
Already accepted a job
Well before graduation, Davis had already accepted a summer position as a recreational therapy intern at the VA St. Louis Health Care System (Jefferson Barracks Division). Upon completion of her internship, she plans to take the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam and continue her career in the field.