This summer, four members of the Warner University community represented the institution with excellence at the annual conference of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport (CSKLS), held July 28–31 at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
Dr. Jackie Swale, accompanied by students Miya Sikhakhane, Gianna Bellomo, and Jailei Watson, attended the national conference after receiving generous support through fundraising efforts and contributions from the Warner community.
Throughout the conference, the Warner delegation exemplified academic excellence, servant leadership, and Christ-centered character. Their professionalism and engagement left a lasting impression on faculty and students from universities across the country.
One of the conference highlights came when Miya Sikhakhane and Gianna Bellomo participated as members of a competitive student panel. After being selected through a spring interview process, the two students addressed an audience of professors and scholars representing institutions such as Texas A&M University, Gonzaga University, Samford University, Messiah University, the University of Tennessee, Baylor University, Union University, Biola University, and many others.
Their thoughtful insights, confidence, and poise sparked engaging discussions and prompted numerous follow-up questions from attendees. Conference participants repeatedly praised the students’ professionalism and were eager to learn more about Warner University and its academic programs.
“The students represented Warner and Christ so well,” their faculty mentor shared. “Their presence was encouraging, thoughtful, and life-giving. I quickly became known as ‘the professor who brought the students’ because of the outstanding impression they made.”
The conference also presented an unexpected opportunity to showcase Warner scholarship. Spring 2026 graduate Payton Harsch had previously been accepted to present her research paper at the conference but was ultimately unable to attend. Upon arriving, the Warner delegation discovered that her paper had been scheduled for a traditional scholarly breakout session rather than a student presentation.
Determined to ensure Payton’s research would still be shared, Warner’s faculty representative prepared a presentation overnight based on her work. During the session, Miya Sikhakhane joined in presenting portions of Payton’s paper, allowing her research to be featured before fellow scholars and professionals. The presentation received positive feedback from attendees and provided another meaningful opportunity for Warner University to contribute to the conference’s academic dialogue.
Beyond their formal presentations, the students built meaningful relationships with peers and faculty from across the country while encouraging one another throughout the week. Their support for one another, commitment to learning, and Christ-like conduct reflected the values of Warner University in every setting.
The university celebrates Miya Sikhakhane, Gianna Bellomo, Jailei Watson, and Payton Harsch for their outstanding accomplishments and thanks everyone whose generosity made this transformative experience possible. Their participation at the CSKLS conference not only highlighted the quality of Warner’s kinesiology program but also demonstrated the impact of students who pursue academic excellence while faithfully representing Christ.
