Meryl and Charlie show great promise during their teen years.
“The Dads” often miss competitions. How difficult is that for them?
CHERYL: I don’t think “The Dads” like the stress of the competitions. They root for them back home and seem to be happy being there. They talk with one another while we are on the road and can talk with us often. They also can watch the competitions on ice- network. That makes them feel more there with us.
JACQUI: “The Dads” are two very spe- cial men. They are there when we need them and they also will un- selfishly send us off to the com- petitions without them with a kiss, a smile, a wish for good luck and a stay safe good- bye. They both love to watch Meryl and Charlie skate and they wish they could go more often. They take advantage of the chances they have to see them compete when
Cheryl and Paul Davis, left, and Jacqui and Charlie White Sr. hang out in the Red Wings’ locker room at Skate America.
competitions are closer to home, like Skate America in Detroit. They will be there and lov- ing it!
Who takes care of the dogs when you’re traveling?
CHERYL: My husband takes care of my dog when we travel, but takes her to daycare for playing during the day when he is working. She is a happy dog.
JACQUI: Cheryl and I both have dogs that are like children to us. So when we’re traveling we don’t want to leave them just anywhere. Since my husband, Charlie, rarely gets to go to the competitions, my dog, Rio, stays home with him and goes to work with him while I’m gone.
team usa years
What is the most unique aspect of your child’s personality that has helped forge this career?
CHERYL: I believe Meryl has great courage. She has great insight and is a deep thinker.
Jacqui White and Cheryl Davis
JACQUI: The most unique aspect of Charlie’s personality that helped forge his career is his positive attitude. He can turn the most mun- dane exercise into an interesting challenge. He can listen to criticism and hear the best in- tentions of the coach to teach him. He can be exhausted and see it as a workout well done. He finds the good in just about every situa-
tion, so he doesn’t get easily discouraged and is able to maintain his confidence even when things are tough. He’s pretty special.
What attributes do you like best about your daughter/son’s skating partner?
CHERYL: I love Charlie’s work ethic and also his courage. They both are incredible people as a whole.
JACQUI: The attribute that I like best about Meryl is her work ethic and perfectionism. Meryl has an inner drive to be the best that she can be and seeks out the resources to assist herself. I like that Meryl has such a pas- sion for ice dance and wants to be the best ice dancer she can be and isn’t afraid of the work it takes to get there. She’s very self-motivated.
What is that one, visual moment you will never forget in the careers of your daugh- ter/son?
CHERYL: I will always remember the hugs between the two of them after the free dance at center ice at the Olympics and both World Championships when they knew they had skated their best and they had standing ovations. I know they took in the sounds and the feeling of that very special moment.
JACQUI: The one visual moment in Char- lie’s career I will never forget was when he hugged Meryl after they finished skating the
Watch Meryl and Charlie compete as novice ice dancers at the 1999 Thornhill FSC in Ontario, Canada:
http://bit.ly/17O1cb6
SKATING 35
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