Twelve-year-old Angelina Huang of O’Fallon, Missouri, is quickly on her way to becoming the next Gracie Gold. This past winter, she finished fifth in the juvenile girls competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in North Carolina. Before that, she won the juvenile ladies gold medal in the 2015 Midwestern Sectional Figure Skating Championships, a 22-state competition, although her overall score was higher at the national competition. Angelina says she is passionate about figure skating, and that’s what makes her succeed. We asked her father, William, what life is like in the national spotlight.
When it’s not competition time, what is Angelina’s regular routine?
Discover fun things to do with the family
Subscribe to the St. Louis Family newsletter for family-friendly things to do and news for local parents, sent every Monday.
Monday through Saturday, three hours on the ice, 1.5 hours off the ice training every other day in ballet lessons and stretch lessons. Angelina is home schooling. She studies at least three hours every day and then heads to the ice rink.
Sunday is to make up her homework.
Where is her favorite place to get a good meal or snack after a long practice? What does she like to eat?
She loves the restaurant Sweet Tomatoes. She eats lots of protein and veggies. Edamame and bell peppers are her favorite snack. And she drinks lots of protein drinks.
Angelina seems like a very determined child who also loves to skate. What advice would you have for other parents to help encourage children to follow their dreams?
Life is short. Do whatever you like, and put 100 percent of your efforts on it.
How does it feel when you watch her skate in competition?
She is a beautiful and graceful skater. I get very nervous; I can’t even hold the video camera.
How much is an average competition dress? Figure skates?
Usually the competition dress costs around $400 for her level. Her current boots and blades cost $1,000. She buys a practice jacket ($100) and pants ($60) every 6 months.
The Price of Success
Competition entry fees:
$125 to $180 per event
Private skating lessons:
$50 to $110 per hour, plus $14 per ice session
Dance classes:
$40 to $80 per hour
Personal Trainer:
$70 per hour for stretching
Off the Books
For the figure skaters, gymnasts, hockey players, horseback riders, and other athletes who want to play just one sport all year long, state rules dictate eligibility requirements for competitions, meets, and games. For example, a student can’t play a sport in a league or club outside of school while playing that same sport during the school season. There are some exceptions, made with approval from the school’s athletic director. However, the Missouri State High School Activities Association states that a student may participate in a different sport outside of school while playing another chosen sport in school—with prior approval from your school administrator and as long as the practices are not on the same day.
