MY INTEREST IN SKATING

I was four years old when I first saw skating on TV. I liked it so much that my parents would look in the TV guide and let me know whenever anything was televised although they had no particular interest in the sport. After we taped the 1994 Olympics, I would watch the video and try jumping in the living room. By the time I was six, I could recognize all the jumps and my parents finally took initiative towards bringing me to an ice rink. Needless to say, I have been skating ever since.

ABOUT ME

I have an older sister, Sam, who is married to my brother-in-law, Andy, and I have a younger brother, Jon. We are all really close. Though I don’t have any pets myself, I love my sister’s two dogs, Charlie (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and Jake (a Chow-Chow Golden Retriever mix). My dad retired from the Army as a Colonel, so I have lived in Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

I am currently studying in the Honors Program at George Mason University and am working towards a double degree in business and dance. I look forward to gaining more knowledge in finance because I have various ambitions with a business degree (some skating related). Apparently both Audrey (my coach) and I have future plans to open ice cream/gelato shops, so we may be rivals in the future. I will be the newer, edgier shop that moves in across the street. That business degree is step number one…As for my dance degree, I am eager to branch out from skating from an artistic standpoint by fulfilling my ambition of performing with a dance company. I will also be required to choreograph a piece for the company before graduating—this will be a great, new experience for me.

Since 2007 I have been a coach at Fairfax Ice Arena. More recently, I have been focusing on choreographing programs. I choreographed twenty this year, ranging from skaters at a beginner level to the senior level. This past spring/summer I worked as a sales associate at J. Crew for the experience (and discounts!) I have supported and participated in Audrey’s Grassroots to Champions seminars as both an athlete and coach. I trust her 100%. Becoming a coach myself has given me an idea of what it really takes to do what she has done: raising students from beginner levels…from grassroots. Any coach will tell you that it is one thing to coach a top athlete, but it is an entirely different accomplishment to raise one from the beginning of their career.