Breaking the Ice with Emily Stephenson
9/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Synchronized Skating
Sept. 14, 2011
This is the first in a series of Q&A's with members of the 2011-12 Miami University synchronized skating team that will run periodically throughout the year. Today's segment is with senior Emily Stephenson, a member of the collegiate team from Troy, Michigan who is majoring in speech communication with a minor in entrepreneurship.
What is your pre-skate ritual?
Before every competition I make sure to pack three things in my skate bag: a pair of bunga pads (they are made of gel and wrap around the ankles while in the skating boot), a lucky penny that my coach from high school gave me, and a tiny guardian angel pin that my grandma used to wear every day. Also, ever since freshman year, teammate Kerrie Wilcox and I have a special quote that we say to one another before we leave the locker room. Lastly, while our team waits to take the ice for competition, I always say a prayer.
What kind of music or artist do you listen to prior to a competition?
Anything that I can dance to!
Why did you choose Miami University?
I chose to come to Miami because I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone. A lot of my friends from home stayed in Michigan to go to school, but I wanted to do something different and meet new people. I also wanted to continue to skate at a competitive level. When I saw Goggin (Ice Center) for the first time, I instantly fell in love! Miami is also the perfect sized school, not too big and not too small. As a freshman, I had no idea what I wanted to major in, but I knew whatever I chose to do it would be broad enough to pursue many different career paths.
Where is your favorite hangout on campus?
I hate to admit ââ'¬Â¦ but King Library is my favorite hangout. I can always rely on my teammates to be there if I ever need a study break!
What is your greatest accomplishment off the ice?
My greatest accomplishment off the ice occurred this past summer. I was an intern at a Fortune 500 company called Limited Brands, which owns retail brands including Victoria's Secret, PINK, Bath & Body Works, Henri Bendel and more. I worked in Human Resources, a field I knew very little about at the start of my internship. Throughout the summer, I developed my understanding of HR by working on projects like updating job descriptions, assisting in compliance issues, creating reference guides, conducting an interview and interacting with client groups. In addition, I met with various associates across the business to receive advice and guidance for the future as well as to learn about different job positions within the company. It was an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by so many kind, intelligent, and talented individuals. The people whom I worked with and met along the way are what made the experience so meaningful to me. My internship is my greatest accomplishment off the ice because it helped me to discover who I am and has given me the confidence to be successful.
What is your favorite skating memory?
My favorite skating memory dates back to Winter 2006 when my team traveled to Cape Cod, Massachusetts for a competition. While we were there a huge snow storm hit the area, taking out many power lines. My teammates and I were preparing to compete our short program; we were music box ballerinas, and our ensemble included a pink and purple dress with hundreds of rhinestones, layers upon layers of tooling for the skirt, topped off with a tiara. Before we left our hotel, we received a call that the power was out at the rink, so the short program was moved to the following day. However, we were all decked out, ready to go ââ'¬Â¦ so our coach decided it would be a wonderful idea for the whole team to go caroling through the town in our competition dresses. Needless to say, it was pretty hysterical and something I will never forget!
What are your favorite skating moves?
Moves in the field: Ina Bauers, Spread Eagles, and 135's.
On a road trip, what snacks do you bring with you?
I usually bring trail mix, chewy bars, some sort of fruit and a bag of Hershey Kisses (something I cannot live without!)
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
Even though I am small in stature, last year in the weight room I held a front isolated plank for 11 minutes.
What is the most notable thing about your hometown?
Somerset Mall in Troy, Michigan ââ'¬Â¦ the cause of my shopping infatuation!
Who inspires you the most?
My mom and dad are two individuals who inspire me the most. They have given me endless support and pushed me to believe that I can do anything I set my mind to. They have instilled within me the morals and values that make me proud to be who I am. My mom is my closest friend; she is someone who I can always rely on for the best advice and the occasional push when I need it. My dad is my number one fan and the most optimistic person I have ever known. Without my parents, I would not be where I am today, and I feel blessed to have two people who continuously inspire me to be the best person that I can be.
When did you start skating?
I started skating at the age of four.
How did you get into this sport?
My brother, who is eight years older than me, played hockey his whole life. I pretty much grew up in ice rinks, being dragged to game after game. Finally, my mom decided to take me ice skating; she told me that I stumbled around the first lap, but then I seemed to be cruising along. When I was nine years old, one of my skating friends asked me if I was trying out for the "precision skating team" (before it was called synchronized skating). I had no clue what it was, but I knew I did not want to miss out. I tried out and made the team ââ'¬Â¦ little did I know that I would one day be a two-time collegiate synchronized skating national champion!
Players Mentioned
