Best Moment

Four downs in football, three outs in baseball, two foul shots in basketball, one chance to show everything you’ve got in figure skating. Ever since I watched figure skating on TV, I knew that is what I wanted to do. I have been skating since I was 8 years old; skating has been a big part of my life. I gained close friends from skating, and grew more responsible because I had to balance so much in my life. My best memory from figure skating was my first regional championship competition.
I practiced long and hard for one of my biggest competitions when I was 13 years old. I learned to deal with nerves; when I stepped out on the ice I focused on me and only me, I did not look at the audience or the judges. I skated one of the best programs of my life, landed everything. Stepping off of the ice, my friends and family congratulated me on my great performance. They told me I looked beautiful out on the ice, that I had the confidence. I eagerly waited for the results, my coach came down and told me that they were up and I should go look at them. I ran upstairs with my friends, while my coach told all the moms. I saw my mother crying, which can mean they were tears of joy or sad tears. My coach and all the moms beat us upstairs, I looked at the last. I started looking for my name from the bottom thinking I did not do so great, but to my surprise I placed 2nd out of 8 girls. I screamed. That moment seemed like the happiest moment of my life.
Going through that experience made me grow, and taught me to not fear anything. It taught me if I work hard at something I can do great. Figure skating helped me to grow up; however, this memory gave me the confidence to accomplish anything I strive for. I love figure skating, I’m glad I had the opportunity, figure skating relieved my stress.

Erin Hildebrandt
October 9, 2009
Section-005