|
My name is Stephanie Amanda Duncan and I am a 13 year old figure skater at the Huntsville Skating School and Training
Academy. I have been skating for 7 years and am currently at the Intermediate Freeskate level, and Novice Moves in the Field
level, working on the Novice Freeskate and Novice Moves in the Field levels. I also excel at
school, where I am always on the A/B Honor Roll. I am a member of my schools National Junior Honor Society, and my schools
Civic club, S.O.A.R., (Serving Our Area Responsibly.) I was chosen this year to participate in the Duke University Talent
Identification Program. I am also participating and representing my school in the Alabama Stock Market Games for the
school year 2008/09. And I like to represent my school and compete at math competitions. How
did I get started skating, well during my kindergarten graduation the teacher asked each student what we wanted to be when
we grew up. Most of the kids said that they wanted to be a nurse, a police officer or a firefighter, my response was "I
want to be an Olympic Ice Skater." My mom was surprised and in shock, she also said no, but a friend of hers from her
work told me that if I got a good report card he would take me and my brother ice skating. I got straight A's and a skate
date was set.
After my mom saw me on the ice she knew something was going to have to be done. She talked to
my Grandma and Grandpa in Albuquerque. Grandpa said "If she wants to be an Olympic Ice Skater then we will do whatever
it takes to make that happen." Grandma and Grandpa began paying for me to take classes, after about 8 months it was
time for me to start taking private lessons, they continued paying for my lessons and ice time. During this same time my
Grandpa was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and was only given 6 months to live. He had to retire from his job of 30 years
and started getting treatments. He continued paying for my skating expenses. He lived for 2 more years and continued helping
with the majority of my skating. After he passed away my Grandma continued helping with my expenses.
My mom
and Grandma now try to split the expenses, but its gotten harder. My mom is just a server, who's trying to get her degree
in Pharmacy Technology, so money is often in question. As I move up in my levels of skating I need more ice time, more time
with my coaches and more time with my personal trainer, and its become obvious that the only way this can be achieved is through
sponsors and so I am looking for help in continuing my training through the levels I have yet to master.
My goals are to represent the USA in National and International competitions and to eventually represent the USA at the "2014"
Winter Olympics. Why the "2014" Olympic games? Well you see I am not eligible to represent my sport at the Olympics
until I am 16 and the "2014" games are the first games I'll be eligible for. Until that time I'd like to continue
with my training program, which includes, on and off ice training,body conditioning, dance and nutrition, but I need some
help with the expenses.
|
