Jessica Burns, senior at Huron, lives between the rink and school, balancing Huron’s Diploma Programme, a junior ice skating team, and now an injury.
“Unfortunately, I fractured my knee two weeks before nationals, and so I was on crutches and lost time right before the competition,” said Burns, “Skating with an injury will likely cause me not to be able to skate my best, but I am going to do what I can right now and enjoy that I qualified to be here.”
As a decorated skater, Burns’ perseverance through injury remains important,
“At this point, all the training I’ve done this year will hopefully be enough, and I am just going to do my best,” Burns said.
Past resounding success gives Burns confidence heading into nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah. Last year, Burns earned two silver medals at nationals to add to the seven from previous years. Aside from success, Burns loves the energy of the competition and the support from other skaters in the atmosphere. She distinctly remembers the French Cup in Rouen, for the atmosphere,
“All the kids from schools around the area came and were chanting USA with their French accents,” said Burns, “They asked us to take pictures and sign autographs after we got off, which was amazing.”
The love of the community keeps Burns going even in times of hardship. As a senior in high school, Burns gears up for decisions of the future,
“I see myself joining a senior team and continuing to compete for Team USA – I am currently on a junior team and this will be my fourth year- We don’t have senior teams loca[lly].” Burns said, “So I am looking for colleges where there are senior teams.”
When pursuing the details of her future, Burns is wedged in a frustrating situation,
“[With] my skating goals on a senior team, there aren’t many local options I can pursue, so I won’t be able to stay in Michigan,” Burns said, “[It] can be super frustrating for college applications because I don’t have any instate options.”
Decisions regarding her skating future are not easy,
“It has influenced my friendships because most of my closest friends are from different schools or cities,” Burns said, “I never would have met most of them if not for skating.”
But for now, she chases down senior year, allowing her foundations from skating to hold strong, as she returns from Utah triumphant, winning first place in two of her three events,
“I started skating at three years old. Skating has shaped my life.” said Burns.
