You have had so many achievements in your skating career. What title or skating-related achievement are you most proud of?
I'd have to say that the skating achievement that I am most proud of is passing my Senior Free Skating test. It was the best feeling in the world, since I was battling injuries and low self esteem, if you know what I mean.

You just graduated from high school, congratulations! Do you plan to go to college or pursue your skating career?
Yes, I plan on going to college this fall, to the University of the South, better known as Sewanee. Unfortunately, my skating career will come to a standstill since the closest rink is at home, which is about an hour and a half drive away. At this point in time, I have no idea where my skating will go. I would like to come home on the weekends or something and at least get a chance to keep up on my jumping, etc. But I don't know if that will happen, with my college schedule and all. Let's just put it this way, my competitive days are probably over. But when I'm through with college I plan to continue my skating career in a different fashion. I'd like to become a coach, but I think education comes first, since it can last a lifetime and a real skating career comes only to a few.

How do you feel skating will effect your every day life in college?
I believe that skating has taught me to get through any obstacle with a fight and through effort. So, hopefully on those long nights of studying and cramming, my skating characteristics will help me pull through. I also think that skating has given me a competitive edge in life. I'm always trying to do just as good as the other person, whatever the situation is.

Many people have helped you throughout your skating career. By what one person do you think you have been influenced the most?
Well, you're right, there have been many people who have helped me along the road. If I had to narrow it down from friends and family, especially my mom, dad, and Karena [Kwauk's younger sister], I'd have to say my coach, Mrs. Dotson. She has helped me through every single event of my career thus far. From finally getting a camel spin and double sal [salchow] to passing my Gold Test. She's taught me so much about the sport and is the one responsible for getting me stuck in the sport, probably for life! But through her teaching I have achieved so much with so little resources, and I thank her for it!

Karena, your younger sister, skated with you for quite a while. What is one thing you hope you have taught her?
I really hope that I have taught her to use her head! To think through a jump and through any part of skating. But most of all, I hope that I have taught her that the music you skate to is the most important way of capturing your audience and to use it to your own benefit. I hope that she remembers always to give the music to the audience through the program and through style.

What is the funniest, most unique, or most embarrassing experience you have ever had on the ice?
I have to say that one event will sum this question up entirely!!!! Last summer, at the Showcase Team Event 2000, I was a team captain. Well, we were trailing behind badly, and I guess you can say the other team was clobbering us. So, my fellow teammates told me to do anything that came to my mind in my interpretive program, which was to some Boogie Music. And I might add that I have never skated to anything but classical music. So I was clueless as to what to do. When I went on the ice, I made a complete idiot out of myself dancing extremely embarrassingly, but everyone laughed at the time, so I thought I was doing ok. I attempted a back flip later on in the program, of course failing and landing smack on my buttocks and giving myself the biggest bruise and cut on my knee at the end of it all. It was the most embarrassing thing I had ever done and everyone said it was hilarious because no one thought I had that kind of stuff in me. Well, at the time I felt ok about it all since we ended up winning. But whenever anyone mentions that program to me I get so embarrassed! And I'm telling you that that was a once in a lifetime program, never ever to be performed again!

So many little girls are becoming more and more interested in figure skating. If you could advise them one thing, what would it be?
If you are absolutely sure that you are willing to devote yourself to figure skating, then by all means, reach for the stars! Never get your hopes up if something is in the way of your dreams. But remember to always follow what your heart is saying! (I know that sounds corny, but you've got to remember that dreams can change).