There's also more than meets the eye to Alissa Czisny, whose model looks mask determination and focus. This spring, hot on the heels of her first U.S. senior title, she earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Bowling Green State University after juggling the demands of college and skating for five years.

“Discipline is her middle name,” longtime coach Julianne Berlin said. “She's so organized. Everything is thought out and planned out."

"I've always enjoyed school and it was always important to me. Both [school and skating] teach discipline and time management skills. It's been good for me to have a little diversity, if nothing else.

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