Our story began...
…… one typical day at the rink practicing individual freestyle routines. Coach Jennifer Gray Sarver approached us about possibly trying ice dancing together. Unsure about what to expect, we decided to give ice dancing a try. Immediately, we both fell in love with the sport of ice dancing and it became our passion. Gold Medalling at our very first ice dance competition (Erie Invitational, July of 2005) sparked our Ice Dancing desire. Our most recent accomplishment was at the 2008 US Junior Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah where we placed 9th overall in the Juvenile Ice Dance Competition.
What's new....
Currently we are in training for the 2008- 2009 ice dancing season. We have passed our Novice Moves, the Pre-Silver Dances and the Rocker Foxtrot. We worked with our choreographer on our new free dance in March. Now we are ready to practice, practice, practice!
Practice has paid off! We passed our Intermediate Free Dance Test on July 9, 2008.
Now a little about us...
Jessica Elizabeth DeMaria - born January 6, 1995, is now a 7th grade honor student at Western Beaver High School. Jessica (also known as "Goofy" at the rink) has been skating since she was 5 years old, starting in the Beaver County Figure Skating Club Learn to Skate Program. Along with Ice dancing training, she also works on Novice Moves and Juvenile Freestyle Programs. Jessica has received numerous gold, silver and bronze medals for her individual freestyle, compulsories, spins, and moves in the field events. Her favorite subjects are Science, Reading, Spelling, and of course Gym class. Jessica has had two of her poems published, one in "A Celebration of Young Poets" and the other in "Young American Poetry Digest". Aside from skating and school, she also enjoys her IPod, playing video games, miniature golf, bowling, bike riding and vegging-out at the movies.
Dean Emerson Miller - born July 21, 1994, is now a 8th grade student at Blackhawk High School School. Dean began his skating career at the age of 5 in hockey skates. As the youngest child he took lessons because his sisters did. His favorite part of skating was the Holiday Ice Show. Over the next several years he had little interest in skating lessons until he heard there was a show coming up, then suddenly he would want to skate because he had to be in the show. He loved the audience! At age 9, he got his first pair of figure skates and has been a dedicated skater ever since. Dean's favorite subject is Science. Dean is an avid Nintendo gamer, loves to ride his new "Rincon" (bike) and is into Nitro RC cars.
It's about dedication...
Jess and Dean's goal is to skate their best and continue to do well in competitions. We are working hard to keep improving. This year, in addition to our on-ice private lessons and practice sessions, we also work off-ice with a personal trainer and ballroom dance instructor. Our goal for this year is to make it to the 2009 U.S. Junior Championships in Lake Placid, New York.
