Ramsey’s sister points out how Doug would walk around the house doing footwork and jumps. I sometimes get caught going through my program in the middle of the hallway at my school. I also walk around the kitchen practicing spiral positions and coming up with new arm variations for footwork. Skat- ing is on my mind pretty much all the time. So I have this goal of being a world-class
skater, but how do I get there? Knowing how to reach for goals can be diffi cult, but Melinda, my coach, is there to guide me. She is my rock and is like another mother to me. She teaches me not only about skating, but also about life and how to act. She infl uences me to be strong yet elegant, with great form and rhythm. Sometimes I doubt if I can do certain moves, but she believes in me and encourages me to try anyway. I am fortunate that my family has
From dreamer
to achiever CHRISTINE IVEY (PRELIMINARY)
It all started when I saw the Olympics
in 2010 at 6 years old. I had the fl u — which was good and bad: bad because I was sick, but good because I was able to watch so much of the Games. I really adored the skaters. T ey had such elegance and fl uidity. I loved the pretty dresses and shiny skates. I was so mesmerized by Meryl Davis and Charlie White. I started to imagine myself skating like they were; they were so inspira- tional. So I begged my mother to go skate over and over again. At the time, I was already participating in dance and cheer- leading, so she made me wait. And being a typical 6-year-old, she expected me to change my mind and forget about it. However, after a full year of continuing to ask to skate, she decided to let me because I was persistent. Now, skating is not just something that I do, it is a way of life. Skating is where I have my good and bad days, my hard falls and exciting new experiences. Skating is who I am and it can’t be taken from me. Six years later, I am working toward my dream of becoming a world-class skater. I want to be an Olympian because I want to be the best version of myself. Sometimes I fi nd myself thinking of doing off -ice moves while cleaning, jogging, or even swimming. I love working on new choreography and inter- preting music in diff erent ways. In fact, I did work on choreography today while walking a dog. Just like in the movie RISE, Doug
supported me since day one. My mother and father support me with their time and money so I can accomplish my dream. T ey both drive me to and from the rink, pay for the skates, the ice time, all the travel, the competitions, the skating camps and the outfi ts that I need to compete. My brother, grandparents, aunts, and uncles also come to my competitions when they can, and my two little cousins come with them. Having everyone’s support helps me feel like I can accomplish my dream.
However, even with others’ support, I have learned over the years that my attitude matters more than my coach’s or my parents’ attitude. My attitude about my skating shows in my results. When I don’t think I can do well, I don’t perform well. When I believe in myself, I usually skate my best program. I have to be my own strongest supporter because without confi rmation from my own mind, I cannot achieve my full potential. For example, I am asthmatic. Asthma can be triggered by strong emotions or dry, cold air — both of which are everywhere in fi gure skating. In the movie RISE, Dorothy Hamill talked about being nervous for the fi rst time at nationals, and that she wanted to quit, but her coach said: “Sure you can, after you go out and skate.” Just like her, I understand about dealing with pressure and getting nervous. At my fi rst out-of-state competition, I had my fi rst sudden asthma attack, but I had to get up and keep skating. With a burning throat and a tight chest, I was gasping for air. I had no energy and felt like collapsing. But I got up and convinced myself that I was too good to let the judges think I was a quitter. I had to prove I was strong enough to stick with this sport. So I identify with Dorothy Hamill’s experience. Her coach and my coach understand the
importance of following through till the very end and not giving up. Before watching RISE, I did not know who the 1961 U.S. Olympic Team skaters were. After watching RISE, I have realized how important those skaters truly were. T ey inspired many generations to enjoy fi gure skating, either as a sport or as an art form. Even my granddaddy Taylor has talked about Peggy Fleming and watching her on TV, but I had no idea who she was until now. I am starting to understand that Olympic fi gure skaters are human like me, and they have fears just like I do. But they also have inspired generations of fans as well. T e legends that were on that plane made a diff erence that lives on through the coaches and infl uential skaters to this day. And I am one of those skaters.
Carry on
the dream MIMIKA ENDO PRE-JUVENILE
T e fi rst time I had learned of the plane crash was when I saw RISE. I was astonished to see many skaters’ dreams and hard work all disappear into nothing. T ey were such
SKATING 51
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