Ice Skating Figures in Top Grad’s Future

Like thousands of high school seniors in the county, Jennifer Heyl is waiting with anticipation for graduation day.

But unlike most students who attended high schools, Heyl is one of many who took the less traveled route, having earned her diploma through an independent study program while pursuing her dream of becoming a professional ice skater.

Today, as valedictorian, Heyl will give the commencement speech as she graduates with 67 of her peers from Silverado Continuation High School.

“I’m nervous, but excited,” Heyl, 18, said about the graduation.

She left El Toro High School after her freshman year to join the independent study program because of its flexible schedule.

With a regimen that includes six hours in the rink and weight room three days a week, two days of ballet lessons and weekends traveling, she needed to work her classes around her ice skating training.

“I don’t regret the choice I made,” she said. “I think everybody should follow their dreams.”

As with any high school in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, to earn a diploma, independent study students must pass 230 units, which include four years of English and social studies and three years of math and science.

Heyl did her weekly assignments at home, taking tests at school every Thursday and earning a 3.81 grade point average, which was the highest in her graduating class.

Darrell De Leon, director of the program administered through Mira Monte High School at Silverado, said that many of nearly 200 students enrolled in the program enjoy the flexible schedule because they have to work or have medical needs.

Others, like Heyl, want to pursue outside interests such as acting, modeling or athletics.

“Jennifer’s an exceptional student and an exceptional individual,” De Leon said. “She’s well deserving.”

Barbara Brown, Heyl’s skating coach, said she “has made so much progress. She certainly has the skills and training to go forward.”

Despite missing out on high school clubs, friendships and campus activities, Heyl said she did not feel left out by being in the independent program, as she went to parties, shopped and hung out with her high school friends.

“I also got to go to all the proms and stuff,” said Heyl, whose boyfriend went to El Toro High.

After graduation, Heyl plans to continue to skate and attend Orange Coast College and study biology or psychology. Ice shows or coaching may also be in her future, she said.

“I’m just going to see where skating takes me and how far I can go,” she said.