About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

December 2002

12-time U.S. champions the Haydenettes take on the kids' press and answer your toughest questions!

Q:How does it feel to be a part of the best synchronized team in the U.S. and know that girls everywhere look up to you and want to be just like you? Amanda Margelofsky, 17, Fond du Lac, Wisc.

A:It is an absolutely amazing feeling to be part of a team with such a great history of success and dedication to synchronized skating. Knowing that people look up to us gives us added drive. Performing for the audience, enjoying our programs, and skating the best we can are always our main goals. It's such a surprise to us and a rewarding feeling when our performance is followed by fans and other skaters outside our dressing room asking for our autographs! WOW!

Q:Do you feel pressure to always be the U.S. champions? Tara Dudas, 11, Naperville, Ill.

A:There is some pressure to defend our national title, but we don't focus on it. Our coach, Lynn Benson, never mentions winning. Our focus is on giving our best performance. We work hard to make sure we are in top form for every competition so that each time we take the ice we can skate our programs even better than the last time.

Q:How do you balance school, a social life and skating? Is it hard to prioritize? Do you have any regrets about your life involving skating? Marissa Mahon, 16, Dallas, Texas

A:Synchronized skating at the senior and World level requires a significant commitment by each of us and our families. One of the first things we learn coming through the Hayden programs is how to prioritize our time and accept responsibility. While our skating commitment requires us to miss some school, it also provides us with educational and personal growth experiences that we would never get in a classroom. We can assure you - most of us are packing our blades and our books when we travel!

Experiencing new countries and cultures, and learning important life lessons such as communication, team building and relationship skills, time management, organization, commitment and dedication help us grow. Skating on a team gives us a social life with people who share our dreams and goals. Skating is a wonderful thing, a true blessing, and we have no regrets.

Q:Do you all find it hard to leave the team when you graduate or are too old? You must be good friends, so do you come back to visit, or do you completely separate from the team? Barbara, 14, Boston, Mass.

A:Not everyone on the team leaves when they graduate high school. The Haydenettes team has a mix of high school and college-age girls. Many of the skaters join the team after they begin college. Because of the lifelong relationships we build, it is common for Haydenette alumni to make visits throughout the season. We see them at competitions, and we love their support. The common bond of being a Haydenette and the relationships we develop make it impossible to separate completely.

Q:What did it feel like when you finished your free skate at the World Championships last season? Tori Sanchez, 13, Clifton Park, N.Y.

A:It was truly our most memorable moment from the 2002 season! We felt extremely proud to represent our country in such an important competition. It was a phenomenal skate for us - we were so focused, and we gave the performance everything we had. We finished feeling great about ourselves and our skating, and it showed - we moved up to fourth place in the world with that performance!

Q:Do any of you also skate in any other disciplines of skating? Caroline, 11, Kihei

A:Our coach says that synchronized skaters are becoming the most versatile skaters around. In addition to the hours we spend perfecting our synchronized programs, we are required to train in ice dancing, freestyle and moves in the field - no other part of competitive skating has this level of cross-training and skill development. If you watch our programs, we use them all! By continuing our individual skating we improve the level of the team's skills and also continue to enjoy figure skating.

Q:How much extra time do you spend together as a team, and what activities do you do off the ice to bond together? Ashley, 13, Pelham, N.Y.

A:We have team dinners and social activities throughout the season, and many of us drive to and from practice together. Team members live in different towns and at different colleges, so by getting together outside of the rink we grow closer together. Of course we argue that a little shopping when we travel should be part of our training, too!

Q:How many hours a week does the team practice? Chelsea, 9, Michigan

A:LOTS! Our weekly training schedule includes on-ice practice and off-ice strength and conditioning, and weight training. The number of hours can vary week to week depending on our training needs, the time of year and where we are in terms of the competitive schedule.

Q:What is it like to compete as a team as opposed to being a singles skater? Which is more nerve-wracking? Megan S., 12, North Reading, Pa.

A:Synchronized skating is unique because all of the thoughts experienced by a single skater are being experienced by a team of 20 at the same time. There are some nerves, but it is also exciting, energizing and FUN! Singles skating is a more solitary activity than synchronized. Nothing can compare to the emotional and physical bonds we share in synchronized and the support we give each other through it all - from practices to performances!

Q:I have been skating on the same team for almost six years and recently joined a new team where the level of skating is a lot harder. I'm always worried, I lose my concentration, and I am often nervous. What is your secret to handling the pressure? Jeanne Bettencourt, 17, Leominster

A:Practice every day just like you would compete. We learn that what you do at practice is what you will do during a performance. By making every practice move as important as a competition, your body will know just what to do when the time comes, and that feeling will give you confidence to skate your best. Most of us were nervous when we first skated with the Haydenettes. Try to turn your nerves into the extra energy you need to take on the challenges of your new team. Concentrate on your own skating, not on how hard it seems. Remember, enjoy the process of learning new skills and meeting new teammates! And trust in yourself and your team - they want you to succeed, too!

Q:How do you get psyched up in the locker room before a competition? Do you do any cheers or songs? Stephanie, 12, Fond du Lac, Wisc.

A:We are psyched before we even get to the dressing room! Arriving at the competition and seeing and hearing the crowd gets us excited! We sometimes have a TV crew following us around and that is always a charge - but we don't let it interfere with our focus. Once we get to the dressing room we have routines we follow - a series of songs we listen to, small rituals we perform, and we have one special Haydenette cheer that gets us going. We also always have words of wisdom from our coach!