Kristina Anne Nolte
Age: 13
Maple Avenue Middle School
Saratoga Springs, New York

Athleticism strengthens the whole person, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually, as well. During the past six years, I have been give the opportunity to participate in the sport of figure skating. I presently skate at the United States Figure Skating Association women's intermediate level and have earned my gold award for completing my senior moves in the field. In skating I have learned valuable lessons about sportsmanship, hard work, and focus, all of which assist me in other everyday situations and dilemmas. Figure skating has helped me to excel in school and to become a better person on and off the ice.

Everyday my parents drive me to the skating rink so that I can practice. I stretch and warm up, and then for 2.5 hours I skate, jump, and spin on the ice. It's important for me to focus on what I'm doing because if I make a mistake on the takeoff of my jump, for example, it affects the jump's landing. Whether I'm spinning, jumping, or practicing my program, I always have to be thinking about what I'm going. During my time on the ice, I get a lesson from my coach. He watches me execute a jump and then helps me to correct mistakes. Like any determined child with a will to succeed and achieve an unfaltering dream, with each element that I execute, I strive towards perfection. With each attempt, I move one step closer to achieving my goals. Sometimes it takes me several tries to correct a mistake, but I always remember that practice makes perfect. My coach teaches me important lessons about listening, hard work, and focus.

Before a skating competition or test, I have to concentrate on coordinating hand, foot and head motions to perfect my program. This takes a lot of practice, which pays off when I skate well at an important event. It feels great when I am rewarded for all of the time and effort I've put in to my sport.

Skating has allowed me to express my feelings. By using powerful and emotional choreography, I am able to communicate with the audience and judges during exhibitions and competitions. Like an original piece of music with each note creatively sequenced by the composer, each step of my footwork is unique and innovative, created by my choreographer to help me with my expression and interpretation of music. When I skate the steps in a sequence, they come together to form an intricately choreographed program. Just like musical notes that form a harmonious melody, a well-formed program will appeal to an audience in a way that allows them to connect with the skater. It's exhilarating as well as rewarding to know when my work is appreciated.

When a competition is over, I always congratulate my opponents. Whether I win or lose, showing good sportsmanship is of great importance. Everyone wants to win, but strength of character is developed on those tough days. When I'm disappointed with a poor skate, I resolve that I'll practice harder in order to come back stronger at my next meet.

Figure skating is really difficult, and sometimes I get discouraged. Each failure, however, lays the groundwork for further resolve to do better the next time. This same positive attitude helps me in school. Because of this sport, I know how to focus better during tests and oral presentations, and I have learned how to listen carefully to the instruction of my teachers and the ideas of my peers. I now realize how important it is to study because, just like in skating, if I am well prepared, I can perform well. If I am in the middle of a math problem, and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, instead of giving up, I try harder and eventually I figure out the solution. The most important skill I've learned is always to strive to fulfill my absolute potential. No matter what I'm doing, if I try my best, then I've succeeded. Whether I'm in school or at skating, I always remember these meaningful lessons. With perseverance, determination, and proper goal setting, I can be successful in life.

My sport has helped me to become a better person. Through the challenges that I've faced, I've learned a lot about other people and myself. I've become more active in my community. On Sundays, I help skaters of all ages with our club's Learn-to-Skate program. From all of my teaching and training experiences in skating, I've learned to be more self-confident, a better listener, a good sport, a hard worker, and a young woman with clear focus. All of these traits have helped me to develop a stronger character. The lessons that I have learned from skating are of immeasurable value, and without them, I would not be the person I am today.

Sports are a wonderful way for people of all races, backgrounds, and abilities to come together and learn valuable life lessons. Whether you're just a beginner, or an expert, sports can help you to build a healthier lifestyle and a more self-confident outlook on the world. Everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from the lessons that sports teach.