Meet Dessie, an award-winning figure skater. Learn how BMOS helps her balance school with her intense training schedule on the ice.
Where do you live?
I live in Frederick, MD.
Favorite subject:
I think my favorite subject is math.
Favorite snack:
My recent favorite snack is popcorn.
Tell us about your skating background:
I started doing public skate sessions with my family when I was five years old, and started lessons soon after. I started skating freestyle (with jumps), then switched to dance, which I have been doing for nearly four years.
What lessons have you learned through skating that apply to your life?
I would say skating mostly taught me perseverance and dedication. In skating, there are a lot of times when you have to keep skating even when you feel too tired, and this carries over to real life in many ways, including school. I think it also taught me about time management, in my practices and with life outside of skating.
What do you like about going to school online?
I love the flexibility Bryn Mawr gives me to create a schedule that works for me.
Take us through your typical day as a figure skater and online student.
I usually wake up at 6:20 a.m., and I exercise a bit before school starts at 8:45 a.m. I have all my classes consecutively, so I finish school at 12:45 p.m. and go to the rink from 2 to about 6:30 p.m. I usually complete my homework in the car, but I also work on it before school and after practice.
When you take breaks from school at home, what do you like to do?
I love to just walk outside for a few minutes in between classes, it helps me feel more relaxed and excited for my next class. Sometimes I get something to eat as well.
Would you rather travel back in time or travel to the future?
I think I would rather travel back in time, because I like not knowing what each day will be like.
Who is someone you look up to?
I look up to my moms, because they both went to veterinarian school, which is really hard to get into. They do so much for my brother and me.
What activity/class have you enjoyed the most through BMOS?
I really enjoy success coaching, as I have never had that before and I find that I look forward to it each week now. I also really like our community—in success coaching and in school in general!
What’s something you want people to know about BMOS?
It is an amazing opportunity because it allows so much flexibility and a great education as well.
