I started figure skating because I saw my friend do it in a show and that made me want to do it, but I had been thinking about it, though, throughout the years. I started figure skating when I was 6. I was having so much fun, too, that is until I found out my friend figure skated and that she was in a higher level than me. That really pushed me to work even harder until eventually I caught up to her and got to relax. Now it has kind of grown on me and I love it because I am the youngest and best in my class. At first, my mom signed me up for only one day a week, but she saw how good I was doing and signed me up for two days a week. So this year I will figure skate twice a week at Lakeview Arena.

The safety in figure skating is really important. You need good skates that will last you the whole year. You can’t just order figure skates off of the internet; you have to buy them from a good person. It’s really important that you tie your skates tight enough so that you don’t roll or break your ankle. My helmet is a new design and it’s called the hat helmet. It’s a winter hat with protective padding and it even keeps you warm.

The difficult part of figure skating is getting the skills memorized. However, before you even get to practice the basic skills, you have to master marching and plain skating. I recommend if you’re a beginner and no matter what age you are, that you start at a level called Snow Plow Sam. My tip for very young skaters is to never give up and make sure to try your best.

I have routines to help keep me in motion and from going crazy! My routine goes like this: I go to the free skate section and practice my skills. I have 25 minutes for that. After my 25 minutes of practicing, I go to the teaching section where my coach lets me know what I have to work on and teaches me new skills. I level up by passing those skills. My goals are to work on balance, master my spins and hopefully one day to perform a solo in the spring ice show.

We work really hard all spring for the once-a-year ice show. Personally, I have been in four ice shows. The ice show is held at the Berry Events Center. The ice show is where skaters dress up and skate to a theme song. Last year the theme was “I’m with the band,” and there were old 1980s songs and all the costumes were crazy. My costume had a sequined base with skinny straps and was really colorful and wild. I skated to “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind and Fire.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ivy Pomeroy is 9 years old. She is in the fourth grade at Sandy Knoll Elementary School and loves to figure skate.