PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF AS SKATERS ACHIEVE TEST GOALS


by LEXI ROHNER


TERRI CHADWICK, 46 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.


TIDEWATER FSC ADULT BRONZE


MELISSA GARLAND, 42 COMSTOCK PARK, MICH.


GREATER GRAND RAPIDS FSC ADULT SILVER


At one time, Melissa Garland,


Joanna Ramberg and Terri Chad- wick were all after the same goal — their adult bronze freestyle tests. The trio met in an online skat-


ing forum where they shared their skating progress as well as their challenges. Dubbing themselves as the “pre-bronzers for life,” the three women vowed to compete some- day at the U.S. Adult Champion- ships as bronze-level skaters and, in celebration of this feat, toast each other with champagne. Garland, who began learn-to-


skate classes after watching the 1997 Grand Prix Final, was the first to pass the adult bronze test, in 2004. As such, she packed a bottle of champagne in preparation for the 2005 U.S. Adult Championships, popping it open on the final day of competition to share with friends. “Many toasts were made,” Gar-


land said. “One of the most memo- rable was the one that said ‘Here’s to champions, champions to come and champions in the making.’” In 2006, Ramberg became the


second to pass her adult bronze test, having achieved the feat on her birthday. However, due to her job’s limited flexibility, she was not able to compete at the U.S. Adult Championships until 2008. Keeping


JOANNA RAMBERG, 44 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.


SC OF SAN FRANCISCO ADULT BRONZE


to the pact, Garland was on hand to present Ramberg with a bottle of champagne following her perfor- mance. Through her quest to pass her bronze test, Ramberg learned several lessons. “I’ve learned a lot about being


diligent and consistent,” she said. “I have also learned to adjust to daily challenges that carry over to my work and personal life.” The following year, Chadwick


competed at the 2009 U.S. Adult Championships, after passing the bronze level in 2008. Garland and Ramberg were both in attendance to cheer her on and share a toast. For Chadwick, who began skating in group classes, skating has become more than just a hobby. “Skating is a stress release and


excellent exercise, but my former high school classmates are amazed and excited for me when I share my skating happenings,” Chadwick said.


Garland, Ramberg and Chad-


wick are no longer members of the “pre-bronzers for life” club and have each gained a new level of commit- ment to the sport and camaraderie amongst one another. And to top it off, they each received a bubbly treat in the process.


DIANA THAKUR, 49 OVIEDO, FLA.


CENTRAL FLORIDA FSC ADULT PRE-BRONZE


Thakur has big goals. She wants to pass


her adult pre-bronze freestyle test in June, her adult bronze test in August and her adult silver test by the end of 2012. In addition to tests, she plans to compete at the 2013 U.S. Adult Sectional Championships or the 2013 U.S. Adult Championships. Despite her al- ready large skating workload, Thakur’s plans also include the possibility of becoming a coach. Although she began skating six years


ago, her ambitious training schedule and testing goals were recently ignited while watching Ashley Wagner’s breakthrough performances at the 2012 U.S. Figure Skat- ing Championships. Like Wagner, Thakur has gained new innermotivation and is pushing herself to achieve her skating potential. “I have found self-confidence and mo-


tivation [through skating],” Thakur said. “Fail- ure is not an option, but a choice. Skating is my life, aside from my family. I feel like a star on the ice. I think and dream of skating all the time.” Thakur’s calling to skate came in 2006 when she and her daughter took a field trip to the ice rink. Soon after, she enrolled them in learn-to-skate classes and now trains three days a week on ice and one day a week off ice. Her coach, Lynn Gaglioti, helps Thakur


plan long-term and short-term goals, which she records in her skating journal and blog. Documenting her skating journey allows Thakur to stay focused and ontrack while she reaches new levels within her skating. You can follow Thakur’s blog


at www.momscanskate.blogspot.com.


32 JUNE/JULY 2012


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60