Senior Emma Cheney excels on and off the ice, dedicating her time to being an exceptional student and figure skater. Cheney first began figure skating when she was 4 years old and started competing when she was 5.

“I first got into skating when I had to miss a friend’s birthday that was hosted at Kendall Ice Arena and I was so upset that my parents took me to see whether I’d like it,” Cheney said. “I loved it so much that they put me in lessons, and I’ve been skating ever since.”

She skates for the Panthers Figure Skating Club, but competes individually. She typically practices at both the Panthers Ice Den and Kendall Ice Arena. She is coached by Artem Torgashev.

“My coach pushes me to be my best self on and off the ice,” Cheney said.

She is extremely dedicated to her sport with a rigorous weekly schedule. She begins the week with on ice training Monday through Friday for about 2 hours a day after school and on the weekends as well as off-ice workout sessions and dance classes on the weekends. Skating season typically lasts from August to March and training is continuous all year around.

“It’s very demanding but it’s worth it when the hard work pays off in competitions,” Cheney said.

Cheney has not only honed her skill over the years, but has made life long friendships in the rink.

“Even though I’m competing against the other girls at my rink, we’ve become a family and I consider them my sisters,” Cheney said.

Cheney competes nationally as a Junior skater and is working her way to achieve the highest level, a Senior Skater. She has traveled anywhere from California to Canada for competitions.

“My favorite competition I’ve traveled to was in Pennsylvania and it holds a special place in my heart because it was such a unique experience for me, skating in an outdoor rink,” Cheney said.

Cheney works tirelessly to be the best she can, and it appears to have paid off with her placing 2nd in the National Labor Day Competition.

“It felt great to place in the podium against hundreds of amazing skaters and was proof that all the hours I spend on the ice were worth while,” Cheney said.

Her rigorous schedule and demanding competition season can sometimes be difficult to manage, but Cheney has mastered a school-skating balance, taking 13 AP classes in her high school career, participating in a Harvard summer program, is ranked in the top percent of her class, winning the University of Pennsylvania Book Award, and holding leadership positions in National English Honor Society and the school’s Mock Trial Academic Team.

“It can be difficult to balance all my classes and skating at the same time, but it has taught me tremendous discipline that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” Cheney said.

Not only does skating affect her school life, but all aspects of her life, with her having to give up friends’ birthday parties and other social events due to a conflicting competition date. 

“It’s difficult missing events, but I’m so happy to have my support system of skaters around me who understand the commitment the sport demands,” Cheney said.

Figure skating has also impacted her wellness, as she has to be very conscious of her nutrition, sleep, hydration, and other aspects of her lifestyle that could impede her performance at practices and competitions.

“I make sure to stay very hydrated, eat a nutritious meal, and get 8 hours of sleep, before my competitions to set myself up to perform at my best,” Cheney said.

While it can be a difficult balancing act for Cheney to maintain her good grades, leadership positions in clubs and academic teams, while training 3 hours a day for figure skating, she has an exceptional support system backing her.

“My mom takes me to various competíos, sacrificing her own time, and is always there to support me no matter how I do,” Cheney said.

Cheney not only draws motivation from her mother, but also inspiration from olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen.

“I find him inspiring because he’s a perfect example of someone who successfully balances his school life and sport, by attending Yale University while simultaneously winning the Olympic gold medal in 2022, ” Cheney said.

Cheney has applied to colleges that have competitive figure skating teams and plans to carry the lessons it’s taught her throughout the rest of her life.

“Because figure skating is a sport where you fall down so often, it has taught me to always get back up, not only in the rink, but in all aspects of my lfie,” Cheney said.