Photo by Michael Williams

Merriam Aazami

At the age of 4, 16-year-old Aazami realized that she had a gift for ice skating. Now, the Notre Dame Preparatory junior is a three-time gold medalist setting her sights on the 2022 Winter Olympics.

What do you love most about the sport?

There is something about this sport that makes me feel alive and gives me the ability to express my emotions on ice.

How do you balance school, ice skating and being a teenager?

I keep my stamina by picturing what success looks like in my mind. I consistently set goals and maintain momentum through achieving them.

What advice do you have for little girls who look up to you?

Never give up on your dream. If you want it bad enough, stay focused and fight for it. Consistency is truly the key. On a journey toward personal greatness, it’s important to know you will face setbacks.

Who do you look up to?

My family, who have always supported and guided me, as well as my coaches, who inspire me every day. Athletes such as Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen, Nathan Chen, Adam Rippon, Derek Hough, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Yuna Kim, Evgenia Medvedeva, Michael Jackson and Kristi Yamaguchi.

Is there a skater whose career you’d most like to emulate?

Sasha Cohen, Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon. Cohen’s ability to break barriers in her free skates, due to her body lines and ability to point her toes during skating maneuvers like spiral sequences, triple jumps and footwork. Chen’s height and agility, with perfection in his jumps, pushes me to be more consistent. Rippon’s facial and body language on the ice brings out his personality and charisma. The constant connection with the audience causes the audience to be more engaged into the performance.

What influence do you hope to have on the Valley?

I've noticed that there aren't as many female athletes as there are males. I hope more female athletes can be encouraged to fight for their dreams. In addition, I want other athletes to get inspired to continue with their sport and reach their goals.

In what ways do you give back to the community?

I’m the Figure Skating Ambassador for The Warrior Up to Win program. It’s a free program for kids who make a sport out of eating healthy. The program is available online (warrioruptowin.com), which you can do anywhere you go. I encourage healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. At Notre Dame Preparatory, we have a culture of gratitude by completing a minimum of 30 hours of community service. I believe gratitude unlocks the fullness of life; those who are grateful are best at adding value to others through appreciation. When we realize how much we’ve been given, we have so much more to give.