Junior Sara Medina’s love for figure skating led to her creation of the Figure Skating Club, which has not only has become an opportunity for Algonquin skaters to share their passion, but has also taught Medina about perseverance and patience.

Medina started working on getting the club approved during her freshman year, and last year, she began recruiting fellow students. However, competitions and similar activities were canceled due to COVID. Since figure skating is a sport, she also had to be patient while the administration worked with lawyers to formulate a document to make the club official. This year, the club is finally active with three members.

“Since it just started, the main hardship has been getting it to kick off and getting enough interest because there’s not a lot of people who do [figure skating], so it’s hard,” Medina said.

The club meets before each competition, where they split up the different events. Each skater does one element such as team maneuvers and solo skating, competing against other high schools.

“Figure skating is an individual sport, so this is a way for skaters to skate for their school and be on a team, so that’s a new dimension,” math teacher and club adviser Nancy Hart said. “Plus it opens up additional competitions that skaters aren’t qualified to be in unless they’re on a team.”

Medina and the other girls have high hopes for the future of the club, as anyone can join, regardless of their ability.

“They just have to be ready to work as a team and want to have a different kind of skating experience and connect with other skaters at their school,” Medina said. “A big part of it is skating for your school.”

Hart shares the same hopes and dreams for the future of the club. She describes Medina as the “driving force” and hopes someone will pick up the momentum she started once she graduates. 

“She’s very organized, but she’s a silent leader,” Hart said. “She’s also made strong connections with underclassmen that are hopefully going to carry on.”

Medina, who started figure skating when she was eight years old, says skating has taught her important lessons.

 “One lesson it teaches you is perseverance because it’s not possible to not mess up,” Medina said.