During her first two years at EvCC, Haley Palm has actively pursued an English degree by day and a future in figure skating by night. Palm, a 17 year old running start student from Snohomish, was first introduced to skating at age 10, when a friend invited her to a birthday party at Comcast Arena in Everett.

“I started skating and it just clicked I guess,” Palm said. “And then I saw the movie Ice Princess, which really inspired me to become a figure skater.” Now in her seventh year, she mostly skates through a club in Everett that coincidentally performs at the same arena that she began in, Palm is aiming high. “After graduating, I plan on transferring to a nearby university so I can continue pursing it [figure skating],” Palm said. “I am considering the Olympics and Disney on Ice.”

Palm currently participates in competitive figure skating, traveling as far as Idaho for competitions. Yes, she is that good. Despite being only two notches below Olympic level, she is leaning toward Disney on Ice. “The Olympic route would be awesome, I mean, it’s the Olympics.” Palm said. “It is just a lot of work, especially with school.” Disney on Ice provides a fun, theatrical environment, which does offer a lot of benefits.

“It is a lot less stressful and you get to travel around the United States,” Palm said. “One of my friends is actually a skater for Disney on Ice. She has been gone for six months, visiting a variety of states; I think that would be really fun.” However long her figure skating career lasts, Palm has a plan for when it is over. After graduating from EvCC this upcoming spring with an Associates degree of Arts and Science, she plans on transferring to a four-year university in pursuit of an English degree.

“Later in life, when I am broken and in a wheelchair [from skating], I want to teach English in high school,” Palm said. “It is definitely my strong suit, I have always loved reading and writing.”