Hoang-Vi Vu (’17) competing in the National Solo Ice Dance Championships 2015. Photo courtesy of Hoang-Vi Vu.
by Sandra On, Staff Writer
Hoang-Vi Vu (‘17) offers her take on what it’s like being a high schooler and a figure skater.
Violinist for Fountain Valley Royal Regiment (FVRR) and President of Illumination Foundation and Cheer for Vietnam, Hoang-Vi Vu (‘17) is also an award winning figure skater.
Recently, Vu went to Lansing, Michigan to compete in the annual National Solo Ice Dance Championships 2015. The competition takes in six registered skaters from each state and from there they split them into groups and compete until they make it to the final round. Vu landed second place in the initial round and fifth in the final round.
Vu also competes in competitions during summer. She has earned some awards such as the Rim of the World Open Champion (Juvenile Level), Recipient of the California Championship for Most Outstanding Performance and the Senior Free Skating Gold Medalist.
Vu started to figure skate at the age of six but she has been on ice since three. She found the passion to figure skate at a friend’s birthday party and has continued since. She trains at an ice rink in Torrance with her coach, Arleen Barton. Vu figure skates to many different styles of skate, but her favorite style is lyrical.
“I’m more of an expressive skater,” Vu said.
While traveling to compete, Vu has been able to make many friends from all over the nation. She has gained friends from areas as far as Wisconsin to Michigan. She exchanges contact information and social media to keep in touch with those she meets.
“On the last day I was there [at Lansing, Michigan], we were all crying because we wouldn’t see each other for another year,” Vu said.
Even though Vu has a passion for figure skating, she would much rather focus on her education right now. However, she still wants to be part of the figure skating community even if she is mainly focusing on school.
“Although it’s time consuming it’s very rewarding,” Vu said.
To learn more about Hoang Vi, check out this video!
