I am 13 years old. I began skiing before the age of two and stepped onto my first snowboard at age five. I began to focus exclusively on snowboarding at age nine. I train with the Ski Roundtop Snowboard Team in Pennsylvania. From early November through mid-April, I practice every possible moment I can be on a mountain, including all school holidays and weekends, often extending the weekend 3 or 4 days.  In the off season I skateboard, swim, play tennis, and train on the trampoline. Starting in 2009, I traveled mid-week to Pennsylvania for specialized training in alpine snowboard racing.

I have chosen to dedicate myself to the sport of snowboarding because it is my favorite activity—it makes me extremely happy. I love being outside with my friends, working in the park, or free riding through the trees. The aspect of snowboarding I enjoy the most is that there is always something new to learn or something familiar to improve. It is especially fun to add my own personal flair to familiar moves and create a fresh perspective in the park.

My long-term athletic objective is to make the U.S. Snowboarding Team and the U.S. Olympic Team.  My short team goal for 2009-2010 is to be the Mid – Atlantic Series Regional Winner in five snowboarding disciplines and to place in the top five at the USASA National Championships in Copper, Co. In two years, my goal is to compete in the USASA Open Class, the Revolution Tour and to qualify for the U.S. Snowboarding Project Gold Camp.

Some of my other achievements off the slopes include being an honors student at  middle school. In swimming, I have won awards for high points in my age group at my swim club. I received the Arrow of Light Award in cub scouts and completed all 20 WEBELO achievements before bridging to boy scouts. My interests outside of snowboarding include skateboarding, drawing, and earning money for the winter.