NORTHBOROUGH – After two years of waiting, an Algonquin Regional High School junior has pioneered her school’s new figure skating club.
Sara Medina applied for the club her freshman year. But COVID-19 quickly derailed efforts. Multiple years later, the club has finally welcomed members.
“I knew there were a couple of people in my school who did it,” Medina recently told the Community Advocate.
Lengthy process ends in club’s approval
Medina found her love for skating when she was three years old, moving on to learn more advanced techniques when she was eight.
She has been a life-long attendee of NorthStar Ice Sports, taking skating lessons and honing her craft there over the years.
Though she briefly participated in a synchronized skating team in middle school, Medina said she normally skates as an individual.
Medina reflected on the process of forming her new skating club, noting administrative setbacks she faced when applying for the club, including liability concerns with the school.
“This year, we are able to talk to the principal again to get it approved,” she said. “They had to check with their lawyers and stuff because it’s considered a sport.”
‘Hopefully they’ll be able to continue this’
The club now practices nearly every day after school, much like other high school sports. Some, like Medina, then participate in lessons after their practice.
The club attended its inaugural competition in Cape Cod with other high schools across the state last week.
“It was really cool,” Medina said of that opportunity. “It was a really different experience than normal figure skating competitions because it was with other high schools.”
Medina said she hopes the club will continue in her absence as she looks toward participating in collegiate skating after she graduates.
She does have a fellow skater, a freshman, who helped found the club.
“Her mom is really involved in skating,” Medina said. “So, hopefully they’ll be able to continue this.”
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