Alex VanLare

Summer 2022

Level: passed Juvenile moves in the field and Pre-Juvenile free skate, compete at the Excel Juvenile Plus level.

Q: What age did you start skating and how old are you now?

A: I started skating when I was 10 years old and I am currently 19.

Q: Why did you decide to start skating? What made you interested in skating?

A: I decided to start skating because I went to a party at the rink and I thought it was a lot of fun. Soon after, my mom signed me up for learn to skate lessons at Ice Den Chandler. What interested me was the artistic and performance aspects of the sport.

Q: What do you like most about skating?

A: My favorite thing about skating is performing at competitions. I love getting all dressed up and going out to perform in front of the judges and audience. I also love the feeling of achieving a new skill!

Q: How does skating help you in your daily life?

A: Skating helps my life because it provides a break from the stress of school and work. When I’m on the ice I forget about all my other responsibilities and am just enjoying the feeling and the focus that skating requires.

Q: How has figure skating contributed to your overall physical and mental health?

A: Skating contributes to my physical health because it provides a fun way for me to stay active in my busy schedule, especially as a college student. It helps my mental health because it gives me a place to get away from all the stress and responsibilities of daily life. I can lose myself on the ice and in my programs and elements. If I’m having a bad or stressful day I always feel better after skating because it helps clear my head and gives me something else to focus on.

Q: Any figure skating career highlights?

A: Some of my personal skating highlights are: I have competed at National Showcase and placed 5th out of 20 at my level in one of my events, I competed in synchronized skating sectionals this year and we placed 3rd in the pacific region, I have been nominated for the skate off at the Autumn Antics showcase competition for the past 6 years, and I am on the collegiate figure skating team at Arizona State University.