CLASS OF 2023
Check out our Graduating Seniors!
I am graduating from Spring Lake Park High School.
I take private voice lessons and sing in choir.
I am continuing my education at Bethel University with a major in Chemistry and hope to attend medical school.
I achieved Intermediate Moves in the Field and Juvenile Freeskate as well as ISI Freestyle 5.
Some of my favorite skating memories are the skating shows, landing my axel, going to Chicago for ISI Worlds, and competing in group numbers.
Note to fellow skaters:
Never be afraid to fall. The courage to be willing to try something you might not succeed at right away is so important. Enjoy the journey of reaching your goals.
Simone B.
Coryna S.
My name is Coryna and I am graduating from Mora High School. I plan to attend Pine Technical College in the fall with a major in Nursing. I will be continuing my skating career by skating on the Northernettes Collegiate team for the 23-24 season. In October of 2021 I passed my ISI Freestyle 8 test which was the biggest accomplishment of my skating career. I have also passed my Novice Freeskate, and Moves in the Field test as well. This past season I was faced with many challenges which ultimately led to the end of my individual skating career for the time being. It has been a learning curve for me to navigate my way through life without the sport I grew up doing. It has been such a blessing watching some of my closest friends achieve their goals, and grow not only as skaters, but as young adults. Of course there is nothing I want more than to be sharing that experience with them, but I know some day I will have the opportunity to make up for lost time. My favorite skating memory was last year during the spring show. I remember being so nervous for my solo, but the second the music started all of the nerves went away and I truly just enjoyed the moment. The feeling is something I could never explain to anyone else, but I hope each skater has the chance to experience.
Note to fellow skaters
Treat every moment on the ice as if it is your last. Take time to appreciate the failures, because without setbacks there are no triumphs. Strive to be your best self on and off the ice. No matter how hard the times may seem, there is always a brighter day ahead, so reach for the stars and remember to enjoy the journey.
Megan N.
I have been skating for 14 years. Throughout my skating journey I have accomplished becoming a triple gold medalist (USFS Moves, USFS Solo Free Dance, and USFS Free Skate) I have also passed ISI FS 8 and am currently working on a forth USFS gold medalist title in Partnered Ice Dance. I am also a two time Minnesota State Medalist, 2018- Preliminary Pewter Medalist, and 2022- Junior Ladies Pewter Medalist. This year I am graduating from Blaine High School and Anoka Ramsey Community College with my AA degree through PSEO. I plan to attend Bemidji State University pursuing a pre-medicine degree followed by attending the University of Minnesota for medical school. My career goal is to be a pediatric doctor in a rural city. I also plan to skate with the Bemidji State Hockey Cheer Team throughout my college years. My favorite memory in my skating career was skating a near to perfect program at the 2021 USFS National Qualifying Series at the NSC Super Rink in Blaine, MN, placing 4th after the Free Skate and 5th overall. During the skate I could feel coach Mandy at my side. I remember enjoying every second of that program and just skating in the moment. I would like to thank my entire coaching team Mandy Pirich, Rose Esteb, Sam Kaplin, Rodrigo Menendez, and Kirsten Olson Vike for always supporting me and pushing me to be my very best, additionally I would like to give a HUGE shout-out to my head coach, Mandy, as I would not have the titles or be the skater I am today without her. And most of all my parents who have spent their time, money, and love to invest in me becoming the best skater I can be.
My advice to all the skaters
Is to not be afraid to step out of the box and break the typical figure skating imagine. Don't be afraid to stand out and be different from everyone else.
Skylar W.
I am graduating from Mounds View High School and will be attending Cornell University's College of Engineering in Ithaca, NY this fall. My current plan is to focus on Materials Science, and I will also be joining the Cornell Figure Skating Club. I'm a two-time MN State Singles Figure Skating Champion, have been a three-time US National Championship competitor in Pairs and Ice Dance, and I am on US Figure Skating's National Development Team. I recently won US Figure Skating's Graduating Senior Platinum Award and at the 2023 US Figure Skating National Championships in San Jose I was named to US Figure Skating's Scholastic Honors Team. This summer I plan on helping with several learn-to-skate programs. Thank you to my parents and sisters as well as all of the coaches, partners, and mentors that have supported me throughout the years and instilled a love of skating and competitive drive that I look forward to applying in college.
MaKayla D.
I started my skating journey in the third grade, and it has become a huge part of my life. My greatest accomplishments are passing my Senior Moves in the Field, making me a USFS Gold Medalist, as well as passing my Junior freeskate, and my ISI Freestyle 7 test. All of these achievements have helped shape who I am as a person. My favorite moment in skating was passing my Intermediate Freeskate. Getting past that test helped me to become a more confident skater and it helped me achieve so many more of my goals, including skating a clean freeskate at competition.
After graduating from Andover Highschool this June, I plan to attend Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes to pursue my love of cosmetology this Fall. I do know that I will be back on the ice, even if it is as a coach someday.
Note to fellow skaters
Not every day is going to be perfect, some days are just going to be downright bad. I want you to remember to find success every day, even if it is hard to find. Always find the positives even if they are small, because they always matter, more than you realize.
Cassie S.
I am a senior at Blaine High School and am also taking college courses through the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. I will be continuing my education at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse with a major in Radiation Therapy.
I have passed ISI Freestyle 5, USFS Juvenile Free Skate, and my Junior Moves in the Field tests. I plan on passing my Senior Moves in the Field test before I graduate to be a USFS Moves Gold Medalist. My favorite skating memories are from all the skate shows I’ve been a part of. It is so fun hanging out with everyone in the locker rooms and being able to skate alongside my friends.
Note to fellow Skaters:
Slow down and take a moment to see how far you’ve come. It all goes so fast, and it can be easy to get caught up in the setbacks of day-to-day skating. Progress isn’t linear but it’s still progress.
Paige S.
I am graduating from Forest Lake High School. I will be continuing my education to become a Speech Language Pathologist with my master's degree. I am also going to be continuing my skating career in college. I am a Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field and am currently in ISI Freestyle 9 and working on my Senior Freeskate. Outside of skating I am a part of the National Honors Society, Link Crew, Student Ambassador, and the lovely Jr. Board. I love reading, ceramics, being on the lake, going on adventures, and spending time with my friends and family.
I have so many favorite skating memories including getting a bronze medal at my first competition, ISI worlds in 2016, passing ISI Freestyle 8, finding glitter year-round from the ice shows, and meeting so many amazing people.
Note to fellow skaters
Enjoy every moment you have out on the ice. Give it your all each and every day even when skating is a challenge. Don’t try to compare yourself to others, instead focus on your own goals you have set for yourself. Try new things at practice and don’t be afraid of failure. Every skater falls, all that matters is how many times you choose to stand back up. Have a blast with your skating journey and never forget to smile big out there on the ice.
Isabella G.
Hi I’m Isabella and I’ve been skating for 10 years. I am in freestyle 7. I am working on my novice moves and intermediate freeskate. I started skating at the age of 7 years old with my coach Anna. During my Sophomore and Junior year I participated in Northernettes. One of my favorite skating memories is going to Colorado Springs for a competition. Skating is such a big part of my life, and it has given me life long friendships that will last forever. Next year I plan to attend Anoka Ramsey to receive my Associates degree. I will then be transferring to Mankato for my Bachelors to study Criminology.
Note to fellow Skaters:
My advice for the younger skaters is to live in the moment, and enjoy what you do. Time flies!