GOFIGURE

BY ZAHRA PARSONS PRINT CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sophomore Caroline Weber and junior DeeDee Cohen figure skate for Carriage Club, and find that the sport increases their communication and athletic skills, as well as helps them form new relationships.

“The ice…is yours,” a deep voice echoes through the loudspeakers in the stands as sophomore Caroline Weber glides to the center circle of the ice rink. The multicolored LED lights that line the rails reflect off of her gold sequin leotard, and music begins to fill the arena. Her number spans around two minutes, and she signals the end with a bow as cheers erupt in the audience, most notably from her parents.

Weber began skating in second grade, and participated in various different high-level events, such as state and regional competitions. She now practices and performs at her country club, , which offers both private and group lessons under

“I did it very intensely for a very long time. I would go before school, after school, on weekends. I would travel for competitions,” Weber said. “And then once I got to high school I stopped competing, but at Carriage Club I’m at the highest level with a Deedee Cohen also skates at Carriage Club, and started the sport at 10 years old after joining the club and being inspired by her brother’s

“We joined Carriage Club, and my brother played hockey so I grew up around that, and I thought it would be fun to try since my friends were doing it,” Cohen said. Both girls train twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and sessions span for various amounts of time depending on the specific everybody in it. It’s huge, and it’s really, really cool to be in,” Weber said. “It ranges anywhere between 24 and 30 [people] and it’s more of a synchronized number. It’s usually around 10 or 11 minutes. It can be terrifying because you do a big pinwheel and everyone’s pulling. You link arms and spin, and then at the end there’s people that lift their heels up.”

Combined with difficult skills and routines, harsh weather conditions and lack of protective clothing can make practices and performances considerably grueling.

“For costumes, you have tights and a leotard and that’s it, so it gets to be freezing. Last year especially was really cold outside, too,” Cohen said. “Also, what’s really stressful sometimes is when you have a quick change in between numbers.”

In addition to the large group routine, they also have smaller duets and solo numbers at the show, increasing the amount of changes necessary.

“One year, I had five numbers in a 20 number show,” Weber said. “There’s a quick-change tent, and they try to put heaters out there but it’s really cold and you’re just changing as fast as you can. It definitely builds character.”

The lessons learned from the challenges and complexities of figure skating have translated to several aspects of their lives. The fluctuating nature of their practice schedule has helped them learn to manage their time efficiently and balance multiple timeconsuming activities.

“I’ll try to get all of my homework and things done before Wednesday if I have things that are due so then I have to do them Wednesday night, because that’s when we have later practice. It kind of sucks, but you can get it all done,” Cohen said.

Figure skating requires various physical strengths and abilities, including balance, coordination, joint and muscle health, flexibility and endurance.

“It’s definitely helped me in other sports. In tennis, I have more balance and better footwork, and I’m able to keep my posture better,” Weber said. “I’m definitely going to use it for the rest of my life.” professionally-choreographed Ice Show in February, where skaters perform various numbers that they have learned

The sport’s benefits are multifaceted; it teaches interpersonal skills and the ability to be confident in front of others.

This year’s show is cinema-themed, meaning the numbers are inspired by various films. The main performance, Theatre, combines acting with dance and skating, and will be based on the movie

“I love to perform. It helps me with being able to present without being nervous and to communicate,” Weber said. “It helps me in real life because I use those skills every day. I use my presentation and people skills, because you have to be out there and have a personality when you perform.”

The most important element among the various skills and lessons they take away from the sport is the ability to grow their personal confidence and strengthen relationships with others through their shared passion.

“Every time you do it, you get a little bit more confident and a little bit less nervous,” Weber said. “You go out there and you know everybody, it’s everyone you’ve grown up with. They’re celebrating and hyping you up, and you just feel really good.”