Arielle Farhi, a senior at South High School, is the recipient of a 2014 Graduating Seniors Program Silver Level Award given by the US Figure Skating Program. The Award is based on skating proficiency and academic achievement. Arielle qualified for this award by competing in regional synchronized skating championships at the novice level and passed the Juvenile Free Skate Test and the Junior Moves-in-the Field test.
Brenda Glidewell, director of Skating Programs, US Figure Skating, said of the Graduating Seniors Program: “It recognizes student-athletes who have worked hard to pursue figure skating while maintaining their academics. Figure skating requires the same dedication, perseverance, and time management as any varsity sport.”
Arielle regularly gets up around 6 a.m. to train before school, a schedule she has followed for years, skating some 15 hours a week. She plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall on an academic scholarship and skate for the university’s collegiate Spartan Synchronized Skating Team, ranked third in the nation.
Congratulations to my daughter! I am so proud of her – for all of these years of hard work at school and on the ice. And, for each day, getting up and saying not “I can’t – but I will.” Her unwavering dedication and perseverance have forced this self-proclaimed night owl to become an early bird for endless pre-dawn rides to the rink.
Continuous effort not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our true potential – Winston Churchill.
Arielle’s USFS award comes on the heels of today’s announcement that US Figure Skating will host the 2017 World Synchronized Skating Championships in Colorado. What a grand way to celebrate! To all my skating friends, I will see you bright (and early) tomorrow at the Twin Rinks at Eisenhower!!!!