2016 GRADUATING SENIORS HARD
WORK REWARDED
SENIOR STUDENT ATHLETES RECOGNIZED FOR SUCCESS IN CLASSROOM, ON ICE
U.S. Figure Skating’s Program Development
Committee is excited to once again recognize 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 acco-
lade on more than 625 Graduating Seniors Pro- gram award recipients. “Our skaters put in a tremendous amount of
work to be successful, both on the ice and in the classroom,” Dorothy Tank, national vice chair for school programs, said. “Recognizing that commit- ment to excellence and acknowledging their skating accomplishments in a school setting is a great oppor- tunity. I, along with the rest of the committee, am excited to see the program continue to thrive.” For platinum-level awardee Karissa Kao, the
committee’s acknowledgment of her efforts means a lot.
Principal Diego Ochoa presents the Graduating Seniors Program Gold Award to Julianna Decon- treaus during Seniors Night at Esparto High School in Esparto, California. Decon- treaus will attend UC San Diego Revelle College and hopes to continue skating with the UCSD Figure Skating Team and with the senior Del Sol synchronized skating team.
Celeste Franke-Joyce displays her platinum-level Graduating Seniors award alongside Vice Principal and Athletic Director Jer- emy Hawkins during the Honors Night Ceremony at Grosse Pointe South High School, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
“Tis award affirms my past decade of hard work at some-
thing I love, and recognizes the time and resources that my family has invested in supporting my passion,” Kao said. “Tis shows that it is possible to achieve athletic success and academic excellence.” Kao’s mother, Day Kao, echoed her daughter’s sentiments. “Karissa and our entire family are thankful for this award and
proud of her accomplishments. Te Graduating Seniors Program is such an encouragement and affirmation to the student athletes who have poured their hearts into skating and competing, in addi- tion to excelling in academics.” Te award program features an online application with spe-
cific application criteria, and an award program divided into four designation levels: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Te specific level designation is awarded based upon the skater’s highest verified test achievement or competitive accomplishment, according to the following measures: Platinum: U.S. Championships or international competitor in
singles, pairs, ice dance; international competitor in synchronized skat- ing or U.S. Synchronized Championships competitor at the novice level and above Gold: U.S. Championships competitor in singles, pairs, ice
dance at the juvenile or intermediate level; sectional champion- ships competitor 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
Silver: Sectional competitor in pairs, ice dance or synchro-
nized skating at the intermediate level or above; regional champi- onships competitor; National Solo Dance Series Final competitor; 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, or free skate, pairs, moves in the field at the pre-preliminary through pre-juvenile levels Following the application review process, a congratulatory
letter, award certificate and lapel pin (in corresponding-level medal color) are awarded to the graduate. Te intent of this program is to recognize the skater for his or her accomplishments in skating, and to have this award recognition presented to the skater in front of peers at a school function or recognition opportunity such as se- nior 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 college and gives skaters a sense of pride for what they have achieved throughout their high school careers. If you would like to receive more information regarding the Graduating Seniors Program, contact U.S. Figure Skating Programs Manager Karissa Woienski at
kwoienski@usfigureskating.org.
40 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
PHOTO BY SUSAN FRANKE
PHOTO BY ROUMELIA DECONTREAUS
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