HHS sponsors 30 varsity athletic teams, but three HHS students have been lettering in a different way. Winnie Brand, Grace Dosdall and Abigail Rhodes, all juniors, letter in a non-HHS sport: Figure skating.

Dosdall and Rhodes both skate on synchronized skating teams with teams ranging from  8-20 skaters. Brand focuses on individual skating and competes against other skaters in solo competitions.

The three of them have all been skating for years. Rhodes and Dosdall have both been skating since the second grade and Brand has been skating since the fifth grade.

Even though figure skating is not a HHS sport, the practices and lettering requirements are tough. Skaters have practice every day, and most days practices are held at six in the morning.

Although skating requires a lot of work, Dosdall doesn’t mind the 6 a.m. practices.

“It’s a good stress reliever. Going there before school gets me ready for the day,” Dosdall said.

A varsity letter is a time-honored tradition that student athletes have always strived for.

“It’s kind of like an achievement you can get and show everybody with a jacket that you were good enough at skating to be able to letter,” Rhodes said.

Dosdall, Rhodes and Brand all skate with the Lake Minnetonka Figure Skating Club. Throughout the year, they each compete in individual or team competitions. To finish off the year, the club puts on a big show featuring all age levels and teams.

“The show is my favorite part of skating,” said Brand. “It’s not like a competition, but it’s more like getting to show off what we’ve learned and we’re all together.”

Brand understands the value of earning a varsity letter. As a member of the ultimate frisbee team, a team that cannot award letters, she knows what it is like to work hard and not be awarded a letter.

“I think everyone’s sport should be able to letter. We should be able to reach our goals and then get that as a reward,” said Brand.

Although none of the skaters are in it for the letter, they all agree that the recognition for their hard work means a lot. Although Rhodes has yet to letter, she is excited about the opportunity too.

“It would be really exciting because it would prove how hard I’ve worked to get it and all the tests that I’ve taken and hours that I’ve put in would finally pay off.” Rhodes said.