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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamford's Alexandra Elam is a ballerina on figure skates. And that applies to more than her poetry-in-motion on the ice rink.
Alexandra, a 13-year-old rising eighth-grader at Greenwich Academy, also takes ballet classes at Stamford Twin Rinks. She said dancing has boosted her blossoming skating career, which she will showcase at the 2011 State Games of America in San Diego, which begin Aug. 4.
"I started taking ballet two years before I started skating,'' said Alexandra, a sharp, articulate teen who also plays field hockey, basketball and lacrosse at Greenwich Academy. "It helps me a lot with stamina and strength; it helps with my flexibility. Ballet has also helped with my body alignment and core strength. It's helped with my whole presentation."
Alexandra started skating when she was 5. She has improved dramatically in the past few years under coach Susan Hamel-Bottari. Alexandra finished first in the Pre-Juvenile Division at last year's Nutmeg State Games. That victory punched her ticket to the State Games, a biennial event featuring top athletes from across the country in sports ranging from archery to wrestling.
"Where she started, and where she is today, she's a totally different skater,'' Hamel-Bottari said. "It's great what she has accomplished. The most important thing for me is if Alex can compete and feel good about herself, then I've done well."
While Alexandra competes in other sports, figure skating is her favorite. One reason she competes in summer events is so she can concentrate on schoolwork. "It's a very unique sport,'' she said. "It's very artistic. When I first started skating, it was in public skating sessions, and I could barely pick my feet up. I started taking lessons and it's all starting to come together."
Alexandra also made the first sketch for the dress that she will wear at the State Games. She wanted it to reflect her music choice, "Phantom of the Opera." "I think I'll always remain connected to skating,'' Alexandra said. "Whether it's creating dresses or coaching or competing, it's something I'd love to stay involved in." She said she is focused on the State Games but winning isnt everything. "I'd like to do well, but I really just want to have fun,'' Alexandra said. "That's the main thing, but it would also be nice to bring the gold back to Connecticut."
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