Excellence abounds Senior student-athletes honored for achievements
U.S. Figure Skating’s Program Develop- ment Committee is elated to once again recog- nize a record number of high school students as part of its Graduating Seniors Program. Students receive this distinction for their achievements on the ice and their commitment in the classroom. Tis year, the committee bestowed this ac-
colade on more than 665 Graduating Seniors Program award recipients. “It is truly an honor for myself and the rest of the committee to be a part of this recognition that U.S. Figure Skating proudly bestows on its accomplished student-athletes,” Dorothy Tank, national vice chair for school programs, said. “It is amazing to see a fifth record-breaking year for the Graduating Seniors Program in terms of awardees and recognition given. Congratulations to the 2015 Graduating Seniors Program award recipients and best wishes to the student-athletes in their future endeavors.” For platinum-level awardee Julianna Mori,
the committee’s acknowledgment of her efforts means a lot. “It is wonderful to have the opportunity to
be recognized as both a figure skater and high school student, especially since I am never rec- ognized as an athlete at my school, with figure skating not being a school sport in Plymouth (Massachusetts),” she said. Mori’s mother, Caryn Mori, echoed her
daughter’s sentiments. “Tese skaters devote so much time to the
sport they love, with it often being difficult to be so dedicated during high school when there are so many other things pulling them away from the ice,” Caryn said. “It is great that U.S. Figure Skating recognizes these figure skaters, whether they are recreational or competitive, with the Graduating Seniors award.” Te award program features an online ap- plication with specific application criteria and an award program divided into four designation levels: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Te specific level designation is awarded to the appli- cant based upon the skater’s highest verified test achievement or competitive accomplishment, ac- cording to the following measures: Platinum: U.S. Championships or inter- national competitor in singles, pairs, ice dance; international competitor in synchronized skating or U.S. Synchronized Championships competi- tor at the novice level and above Gold: U.S. Championships competitor in singles, pairs, ice dance at the juvenile or inter- mediate level; sectional championships competi- tor in singles at the novice, junior or senior level; U.S. Synchronized Championships competitor at the intermediate level, gold medalist in free skate, pairs, ice dance or moves in the field
38 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 Silver: Sectional competitor in pairs, ice
dance or synchronized skating at the intermedi- ate level or above; regional championships com- petitor; National Solo Dance Series Final com- petitor; Nation’s Cup Ballet on Ice competitor; free skate, pairs or moves in-the-field tests passed at the juvenile through junior levels, or dance tests passed at the silver through pre-gold levels Bronze: National Showcase, National
Teatre On Ice; dance tests at the preliminary through pre-silver levels; free skate, pairs, moves in the field at the pre-preliminary through pre-ju- venile levels Following the application review process,
a congratulatory letter, award certificate and la- pel pin (in corresponding level medal color) are awarded to the graduate. Te intent of this pro- gram is to recognize the skater for his or her ac- complishments in skating and to have this award recognition presented to the skater in front of peers at a school function or recognition oppor- tunity such as senior award night, athletic awards banquet, special honors program or graduation ceremony.
Te Graduating Seniors Program Award helps to bridge the gap from high school to col- lege and gives skaters a sense of pride in what they have achieved throughout their high school career. If you would like to receive more informa- tion regarding the Graduating Seniors Program,
Coach Doug Miller presents the Graduating Seniors Program silver award to Sara Kurko at the senior award ceremony at Pikes Peak Christian School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “I feel honored to be rec- ognized for my skating accomplishments during high school by U.S. Figure Skating at my school’s sports banquet,” Kurko said.
contact U.S. Figure Skating Program Director Brenda Glidewell at bglidewell@usfigureskating. org. If you are a 2015 graduate and did not apply for the 2015 Graduating Seniors Award Program, contact Glidewell for assistance.
Julianna Mori proudly displays her platinum-level Graduating Seniors award at Class Day on May 29, 2015, at Plymouth South High School in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
PHOTO BY CARYN MORI
PHOTO BY SYLVIA KURKO
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