I began figure skating when I was 10 years old. This may seem young, but in the world of skating I was at least 6 years behind. I flew through each level and never failed any of my discipline tests until I reached the second to last technique (moves in the field) test. Once I passed that one, I went on to attempt my last moves in the field test and failed. After that failure, I quit skating for about a year. When I came back I attempted the test again and failed a second time. This led to another gap in my skating, this time lasting two years. When I came back, I was determined to finish this test. I was ready to go out in front of judges for a third time and a week before the test, my skates were stolen from my car. By the time I had gotten the insurance money to get new skates, COVID-19 had shut down the world. I had to wait yet another year until I would put the test out. When I was finally ready and able to put my final moves in the field test out, I was 22, almost 23, years old. I hadn’t had a formal skating test in six years and the nerves were almost unbearable. I went out in front of the judges and gave it my best shot. It was that day that I finally passed my last moves in the field test, which certified me as a gold medalist in this discipline. Figure skating has taught me determination and persistence. While I quit the sport multiple times, I have always come back because it is my passion. I’m now a certified coach and have students of my own that I hope to take through their own tests so they can achieve the same feeling I had when I passed my test.