TOWAMENCIN- The sound of ice skates brushing against the icy rink is all too familiar to North Penn senior, Sarah Yang. She has traveled around the world competing in ice skating competitions with her synchronized skating team. This hobby has earned her national titles, shaping her hardworking character and resilient spirit.

Yang began skating at the young age of 6 years old taking group lessons at Hatfield Ice. She eventually worked her way up to the the USA affiliated Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team, giving her the opportunity to compete in two national competitions in 2018 and 2019.

“Last year I got gold at nationals, so I was crowned national champion that year. This year, I moved up two levels to the highest level possible. We got silver, but we qualified for the world team… and we traveled to Finland for the World championships,” said Yang

In April, Yang’s team earned 8th place in the World competition in Finland, a difficult feat to accomplish amongst the most talented teams in the world. Yang’s European travels also include Austria for the 2019 Mozart Cup and Croatia for the Zagreb’s Snowflakes Trophy.

“We go a week before the competition starts so we can train and get used to the time zone difference, and then we compete our two programs; and we have one day where we go out and explore the city,” added Yang.

Throughout high school, Yang was required to drive to New York or Connecticut on the weekends for her ice skating practices, often leading to limited time for schoolwork, but she managed to maintain her grades. Competitive ice skating has shaped Yang’s character, helping her develop essential skills like time management and resilience.

“[Ice skating] requires a lot of discipline and resilience mentally and physically,” explained Yang. As an advanced ice skater, getting right back up after a fall on the hard ice is crucial during a routine.”If you get a correction or some harsh criticism, you have to be able to take it and apply it, rather than getting upset, added Yang.

Yang could not have reached her full potential without the help from her mom, the most important supporter in her life.

“[My mom] has been the biggest supporter. She is the one that drives me down to New York and Connecticut for practice, which is a lot of driving,” said Yang. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without her.”

Yang’s future career path was inspired by her parents, who are both in the computer science field. Yang will attend Drexel University this fall as a computer science major.

“I did take computer science AP course in junior year, and that was kind of the starting point. My parents are also both computer science majors and they both work as IT’s, so that’s where I guess my interest started. From a small age they were always working, explained Yang.

June is an exciting month for Yang with Reflections Night and graduation day approaching soon. At the end of the month, Yang will be in North Carolina for a three day long synchronized skating camp, called One Team MVMT. The organization specializes in spreading synchronized skating across the world.

“At the end of June, I’ll be going to North Carolina because there’s this camp my coach asked me to be a team leader at. They invite a bunch of USA skaters, and even Canada skaters to come and help coach the kids,” described Yang.

Whether it be spreading her knowledge to young skaters, or keeping up with the results of her team’s competitions, Yang will always have one foot planted in the door of the synchronized skating world after high school.