There are certain joys that come along with being a grandparent. Getting to watch your grandkids grow and become adults of their own can be a great event.
Alexa Simeca and her partner Christopher Knierim (Photo Provided)
Sun City residents Mike and Cookie Sheller have had a front row seat in watching their granddaughter grow up – and they’ve seen it all play out on ice.
Alexa Scimeca is an American pair skater and the granddaughter of Mike and Cookie. With her partner, Christopher Knierim, she is the 2012 Cup of Nice champion and the 2013 U.S. national silver medalist.
According to her grandparents, Alexa started skating when she was in second grade, at just seven years old, and has not stopped since. She continues to push herself to achieve her dreams of competing in the Olympics.
“When she was in grade school at a higher level, she would wake her dad up to have him take her skating before school. So before school she would skate, then she would get out of school early and skate,” Mike said.
“That was her life,” Cookie added.
The Shellers have been to numerous events of Scimeca’s over the years.
“You can just feel the adrenaline and the excitement. Just hearing her blade on the ice is fulfilling. And just to look at the expression in her face and her eyes and see the look of joy. She just loves it,” Cookie said.
Scimeca and her partner just won second place at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship last month and will be competing for a spot in the 2014 Olympics.
Having a chance to be a part of the 2014 Olympics brings exhilaration to Scimeca.
“It feels unreal, but realistic at the same time, if that makes sense,” Scimeca said. “I know it’s an achievable goal we can do, but I never thought it would happen.”
With all the traveling and preparing for competitions, it is important Scimeca can find something to help stay focused.
“I have a great relationship with my partner. While traveling, we can focus on things other than skating. He helps me stay calm,” Scimeca said.
Scimeca and Knierim have been partners for just under a year, but the way they work together says otherwise.
“They say pair skating really takes about four or five years before you really click. That’s what’s so amazing about this,” Mike said.
“They both have the knowledge and experience, and they both know what they want,” Cookie said.
Scimeca’s grandparents, Mike and Cookie Scheller. (Photo Provided)
By keeping in constant contact with her family and remembering where she came from, Scimeca is able to stay level-headed.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of setbacks over the years. I had a rough time getting to where I am, so I don’t take anything for granted,” she said. “I had to work for everything I have.”
It’s clear to see that the relationships she has with her family and partner play a big part in keeping her grounded.
“She likes for me to pray with her, and I tell her to stay focused when she gets nervous before a competition. But I’ll tell you, as soon as her blade hits the ice, it is all over with,” Cookie said. “She is a very professional person.”
