Rachel Horton 17

Clarkston High School

Hometown: Clarkston, MI

Years on Hockettes: 2

Years of Synchro: 10

Favorite Program: Sleeping Beauty (Junior 2015)

Favorite Element: Circle

Other Hobbies: Working-out and Yoga

An Interesting Fact: I have dual citizenship in Canada and the United States.

Future Goals:  To graduate with the IB diploma, be a direct admit to a nursing program and the University of Michigan or MSU and to do a study abroad!

Favorite Quote: “If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

Karissa Kao 16

Lakeshore High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 9

Favorite Program: Trains (Juvenile 2012)

Favorite Element: Creative, Moves in the field and circle

Other Hobbies: Playing piano, art, writing, singing and tutoring

An Interesting Fact: One of my coaches was my gym teacher since I was 4

Future Goals: I would like to skate in college on a collegiate or senior team.

Favorite Quote: “Either I will find a way or I will make one.” -Philip Sidney

Kara Burns 16

Lakeshore High School

Hometown: St. Clair Shores, MI

Years on Hockettes: 2

Years of Synchro: 8

Favorite Program: My Fair Lady (Novice 2015)

Favorite Element: Creative

Other Hobbies: Crafting

An Interesting Fact: My favorite animal is an elephant.

Future Goals: I would like to become a pediatric dentist.

Favorite Quote: “The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow.”

Caitlin Kaleta 14

Huron High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 6

Favorite Program: Casablanca (Junior 2016)

Favorite Element: Creative

Other Hobbies: Piano and baking

An Interesting Fact: I am bilingual in Chinese and English.

Future Goals: I want to be on a world level senior team. 

Favorite Quote: “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.” -Muhammad Ali

Maddalena Pederiva 17

Dexter High School

Hometown: Trento, Italy

Years on Hockettes: First Year

Years of Synchro: 9

Favorite Program: Samson and Delilah (Junior 2015)

Favorite Element: Circle

Other Hobbies: Photography, singing and skiing

An Interesting Fact: I’m an exchange student from Italy!

Future Goals: I would like to become a nutritionist and to help people be more healthy and fit.

Favorite Quote: “We know what we are, but we know not what we may be.” -William Shakespeare 

Alyson Everett  14

Saline High School

Hometown: Saline, MI

Years on Hockettes: 3

Favorite Program: Sound of Music (Open Juvenile 2014)

Favorite Element: Pivot Block and No-Hold

Other Hobbies: Art

An Interesting Fact: I have never had any type of soda before.

Future Goals: I want to go to a good college, become a lawyer, and see synchronized skating in the olympics. 

Favorite Quote: “Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountian.”

Cyndi Edelman 14

Huron High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 6

Favorite Program: Sound of Music (Open Juvenile 2014)

Favorite Element: Intersections and Circles

Other Hobbies: Baking and drawing

An Interesting Fact: I have a guinea pig named Nutmeg.

Future Goals: To make Team USA all 4 years of Junior. 

Favorite Quote: “This is the team. We’re trying to go to the moon. If you can’t put put someone up, please don’t put them down” -NASA

Ariana Gould-Tasoojy 17

Community High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 10

Favorite Program: Sleeping Beauty (Junior 2015)

Favorite Element: Wheel

Other Hobbies: Yoga, dance, and video editing.

Interesting fact: I write whenever I am facing a challenge so that I can better understand my situation and then find solutions and set goals to make progress forward.

Future Goals: I would like to go to the college of my choice, skate for a senior team, have a career that I am passionate about and remain physically fit and healthy. 

Favorite Quote: "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence."

Corinne Fereshetian 15

Mercy High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 2

Years of Synchro: 3

Favorite Program: Casablanca (Junior 2016)

Favorite Element: No-Hold

Other Hobbies: Lifeguarding and shopping

An Interesting Fact: I am a huge Michigan and Anaheim Ducks fan!

Future Goals: To skate on a senior team and to skate on Team USA.

Favorite Quote: “The Team, The Team, The Team.” -Bo Shembechler

Anna Veijalainen 16

Hartland High School

Hometown: Lahti, Finland

Years on Hockettes: First Year

Years of Synchro: 4

Favorite Program: Cabaret (Junior 2015)

Favorite Element: No-Hold

Other Hobbies: Snowboarding

An Interesting Fact: I am an exchange student from Finland!

Future Goals: I would like to skate for a senior team back in Finland and to finish my studies. 

Favorite Quote: “Good, better, the best - never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best”

Kallan Roan 15

Pioneer High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 7

Favorite Program: Hero (Junior 2016)

Favorite Element: Pivot Block

Other Hobbies: Playing the violin and piano

An Interesting Fact: I have perfect pitch.

Future Goals: I hope to go to college and sicker a career that I am passionate about. 

Favorite Quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Neldon Mandela

Liza Pritchard 15

Dexter High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 7

Favorite Program: Motown (Novice 2014)

Favorite Element: Moves in the Field

Other Hobbies: Baking, shopping and sleeping

An Interesting Fact: I compete in National Solo Dance.

Future Goals: To skate on Team USA, go to California Berkeley, become a triple USFSA gold medalist and to skate at worlds.

Favorite Quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”

Alicia Bertch 15

Skyline High School

Hometown: Willis, MI

Years on Hockettes: 4

Favorite Program: Time (Juvenile 2009)

Favorite Element: Pairs Element

Other Hobbies: Freestyle skating and playing guitar.

An Interesting Fact: I love prosciutto!

Future Goals: To go to the Olympics. 

Favorite Quote: “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.”

Holly Sperling 15

Dexter High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 8

Favorite Program: My Fair Lady (Novice 2015)

Favorite Elelement: No-Hold

Other Hobbies: Track

An Interesting Fact: When I was 9 I got my black belt in Tae Kwan Do.

Future Goals: To be determined ;) 

Favorite Quote: “Always go with the choice that scares you the most. Thats the one that going to help you grow.”

Emily Krile 16

Pioneer High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 9

Favorite Program: Sleeping Beauty (Junior 2015)

Favorite Element: Circle and Moves in the Field

Other Hobbies: Baking and reading.

An Interesting Fact: I help coach the Introductory Hockettes!

Future Goals: I would like to go to a good college and continue skating. One day I would like to work with high level athletes on injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Favorite Quote: “The Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success.” - Vince Lombardi

Irene Schimmel 16

Dexter High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 7

Favorite Program: Train (Juvenile 2012)

Favorite Element: Pivot Block

Other Hobbies: Music, reading, and hanging out with friends.

Interesting Fact: I played the bassoon for 6 years.

Future Goals: I would like to compete internationally, get into my dream college, and travel the world.

Favorite Quote: “Start unknown, finish unforgettable.”

Samy Delva 15

Pioneer High School

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Years on Hockettes: 7

Favorite Program: Tiki Room (Beginner 2 2011)

Favorite Element: No-Hold

Other Hobbies: Photography, art, tubing, spending time by the lake.

Interesting Fact: I love traveling and I love roller coasters!

Future Goals: Earn an international medal and pass my senior moves in the field test. 

Favorite Quote: “You are never fully dressed without a smile.”

Allison Phillips 16

Hartland High School

Hometown: Brighton, MI

Years on Hockettes: 8

Years of Synchro: 11

Favorite Program: Hitchcock (Junior 2014)

Favorite Element: No-Point Intersection

Other Hobbies: Drawing

An Interesting Fact: I love discovering new music.

Future Goals: I want to move to Boston and go to a good college. 

Favorite Quote: “Do good and good will com to you.”

With a new competition season beginning in a few weeks it is time to meet the new team! We begin with:

Svea Wagner 16

Washtenaw International High School

Hometown: Södertälje, Sweden

Years on Hockettes: First Year

Years of Synchro: 4

Favorite Program: Nightmare (Junior 2014)

Favorite Element: Creative

Other Hobbies: Dancing, climbing, playing video games and drawing.

An Interesting Fact: I am German, born in Denmark, raised in Sweden and now living in the US.

Future Goals: To become US champions with the Hockettes! 

Favorite Quote: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” -Steve Jobs