Genre:Autobiography

Kwan was inspired to become aworld-class skater after watchingBrian Boitano win a gold medalat the 1988 Winter Olympics.Just seven years old at the time, she thought, "Okay, tomorrowI'll go to the Olympics." Shequickly learned that realizingher dream would take manyyears of hard work!

Amateur (n)

Definition: a person inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activityExample: A young ice skater begins as an amateur for fun.

Artistic (adj.)

Definition: satisfying standards of artExample: Michelle’s skating moves are very artistic.

Audience (n)

Definition: a group of people who considered spectators watching an event.Example: A good audience watches, listens, and applauds.

Compete (v)

Defintion: To strive for something usually a prize or acknowledgement.Example: Michelle had to compete against other skaters.

Elements (n)

Definition: a component or part of somethingExample: Michelle had to learn and perform the required elements.

Pressure (n)

Definition: A condition that is hard to bear and usually is related to stressExample: Michelle was under a lot of pressure to perform.

Technical (adj)

Definition: Skills usually having to do with a technique and how well it was executed and performed.Example: Michelle had to master thetechnical skills of skating.

USFSA

USFSA stands for UnitedStates Figure SkatingAssociation.

elite

Sasha Cohen and MichelleKwan are elite skaters.

Lutz

The Lutz jump was namedfor Alois Lutz.

revolutions

Elvis Stojko does manyrevolutions when hejumps.

choreographers

Choreographers create themoves a skater performs.

Nationals

Many skaters compete inthe Nationals competition.

gnarled

Hands, feet, and tree branches can become gnarled.

distributed

When your weight is distributed evenly, it is harder to fall.

eligible

Skaters practice long and hard to be eligible for the Olympics.

professional

Professional skaters put on shows and get paid.

scholarships

Scholarships help students and athletes get trainingand higher education.

overwhelmed

People and animals canfeel overwhelmed byevents in their lives.

images

Creating a positive image about yourself can helpyou succeed.

eligible

requiredpresentation

overwhelmedrevolutions

audience

images

gnarledartistic

professionaldistributed

Nationals

amateur

USFSAscholarships

Worldspressure

elite

compete

Lutzchoreographers

elementstechnical

judges