Cheriyon Thomas started skating when she was 8 years old. Her 3rd-grade teacher took her class on a field trip to Paramount Iceland because they were reading a book about a black figure skater. Once on the ice, she fell in love, and others noticed she was the only kid in the class that did not fall the entire time. Later that day, she went home excited about her experience, and shortly after her grandparents signed her up for classes.
She began with group lessons and then advanced to private instruction where she started competing locally throughout the United States. During that time, she skated individually and with a synchronized skating team where she gained a national title. By the age of 18, she was encouraged to help out at her local ice rink, Aliso Viejo, where she started her coaching career of now 20 years. She is a professionally ranked senior-level instructor along with holding PSA and USFS ratings and certifications. More than anything, she loves what she does, and she cannot wait to share and expose all to this wonderful and beautiful sport of figure skating.
