Spotlight on Jennifer Don

When and how did you begin skating?
I started skating at the age of 10 and a half. I had always admired the beauty and athleticism that skating had to offer. I had always wanted to skate when I was little. When a rink opened up near my house, my parents took me skating. I immediately fell in love with the sport.

What are your long-term goals, both on and off the ice?
Skating and school are both very important to me. I believe that skating well always be part of my life--whether I'll be skating, coaching, or judging. Right now I'm focusing on next season and hoping to make it back to Nationals. After I finish high school, I plan on going to college and pursuing a doctorate degree or majoring in business.

What aspects of your skating do you want to improve the most this summer?
This summer I plan to work on getting new triples. I also want to improve my speed and glide across the ice. I will also be devoting a lot of time to my programs.

Can you describe your Nationals experience a little?
Nationals was an unbelievable experience. I had a lot of fun. It is exhilarating to be able to compete with so many other good skaters. I really loved meeting new friends and catching up with people I hadn't seen in a while. It was also great to cheer for my friends. Nationals was extremely well organized and well run. The volunteers did a great job! I also enjoyed the "National's experience" of watching the top skaters. Being there to watching Michelle Kwan's short program was amazing. Since Nationals was held in Boston a lot of my friends had the opportunity to come watch. It was great to be one of the hometown girls that was competing there.

How has your friendship with Jenny Kirk affected your skating?
Jenny and I are great friends. She is so sweet and a wonderful person. Jenny motivates me and I really admire her skating. Jenny and I spend a lot of time together and we help each other through both school and skating. She and my other friends at the rink inspire me. Jennifer Kirk, Colette Irving, Matthew Lind, and I have formed a group to help each other. We call ourselves Congress and together we make ourselves better skaters.

Will you be moving up to Junior this year?
Yes, I plan to take my Junior Free skate test soon.

What skaters do you admire the most and why?
The skater I look up to the most is Michelle Kwan for her grace both on and off the ice.

What should we look for in your programs next season?
My programs are always a work in progress. I plan on keeping both my long and short for next season. Next season, I should have new jumps in my program. Right now I am working on several new triples. I'm also focused on new spin combs. I would like to have two solid programs that I enjoy. I love both pieces of music I'm skating to and think that I will be capable of doing a lot with them.

What is it about skating that makes you love it so much?
There is some sort of magical quality about skating. It is an ethereal sport that meshes beautiful artistry and dynamic athleticism. I love to skate for people and it is a great feeling to know that others enjoy watching you skate.

Interview compiled by Ellie Michaelson; June 2001: Vol II Issue VI