Sophia Evans a "Creativeskater", for March/April 2011
By: Elizabeth Hollett Shackett

This August, San Diego will be hosting the State Games of America (SGA), a national grassroots multi-sport competition. Sophia Evans, 11, is among the athletes who qualified for this event because she won a medal in the Pennsylvania Figure Skating Championships. Medal winners from 45 State Games nationwide have earned the right to compete against other winners and will match their skills and competitive desire in a national arena.

Sophia says her main goal for SGA is to complete good jumps “especially the doubles.” Her focus in practice has definitely been on improving jump execution while learning new choreography. Her favorite skills are the axel jump and flying camel spin however, she has an excellent Ina Bauer. “What I like best about skating is the floating sensation that it gives to me and how it feels when my blades glide over the ice.”

Like many skaters, Sophia first started in a Learn to Skate program at age seven. She now skates 4-5 days per week while balancing home schooling and other activities like piano and French classes. Sophia has a love for literature and also enjoys activities like pond water analysis, biology, computer science and mock trials at Open Connections, a “school” for homeschoolers.

Sophia aims high with an ultimate goal of reaching international competition like her favorite skater Ashley Wagner who is the 2010 U.S. bronze medallist and U.S. Team Member. Sophia is very fortunate to share some practice sessions with her and is amazed by Wagner’s ability to make everything look easy. “I really admire her work ethic and she is very nice and approachable,” says Sophia.

I have choreographed all of Sophia’s programs. Her current Freeskate program is to the music
from the Braveheart soundtrack and her Artistic program is to Fireflies by Owl City. Past
programs include a Piano Concerto and Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez.

Sophia's Upcoming Events:
          April 2011:     Juvenile Moves and Preliminary Freeskate Tests
          April 2011:     IceWorks Skating Club Annual Ice Show, Aston PA
           May 2011:     May Day Open, Laurel, MD
      August 2011:      State Games of America, San Diego, CA
    October 2011:      South Atlantic Regional Championships, Aston, PA
         
Sophia started skating in the learn to skate program at IceWorks.  Her first instructor was
Elizabeth.  Elizabeth's technique focused on good fundamentals and having fun.  When Sophia
started private lessons, we asked Elizabeth to be her private coach.  She has been with her ever
since.  Elizabeth made sure Sophia obtained strong basic skills as well as increased focus. After
4 years, the base work is really showing itself in Sophia's strong footwork and good jump
technique. She has an amazing ability to bring out the personality of each skater when she
choreographs routines.   As a parent with two incredibly different skaters, I love watching as
adds grace and beauty to Sophia's routines and edge and character to my youngest daughter
Vivienne's routines.  She truly helps each skater become the skater they were meant to be and go
as far their dreams and efforts can take them.  By Deborah and Jim Evans.

Tests Passed
Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field
Pre-Preliminary Freeskate