Mariel's coach notes that she is an exceptionally graceful skater. Her goal is to do well at the winter ice skating shows. In March, she will participate in the Cheshire Ice Show, the biggest skating event in New Hampshire. Afterward, hopefully she will qualify for the New England Regional Figure Skating competition next fall. Her deafness is not a problem, said her mother, Julia Westervelt.
Figure skating is an expensive sport and money is always a problem.
Skaters need to buy new skates every two years, pay coaches and competition entry fees, pay for lessons, ice time, and costumes. Mariel and her mother are busy looking for a sponsor now to help with expenses. Mariel's mother thinks so. Copyright 1998, All Rights Reserved Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center Gallaudet University 800 Florida Ave.