British School of Boston Students to Perform, Volunteer During U.S. Figure Skating Championships

AMAICA PLAIN- Despite more than a decade of figure skating lessons, Joelle Young doesn’t spend much time dreaming about bringing her craft to an Olympic level.

But on Thursday, the high school senior at the British School of Boston will get closer than many: performing with the Skating Club of Boston during the opening ceremonies of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the TD Garden.

“It’s so hard to get to the Olympic level of skating, and most of us will never get there,” Young said. “But it’s really nice to get to be a part of this competition and be there as the skaters compete.”

Young, who will also serve as an award presenter during the competition, is one of four British School of Boston students who will volunteer during the national championships.

Year 7 students Nori and Annie D’Arbeloff and Year 9 student Juliet Burr will act as sweepers during the event, collecting the flowers, stuffed animals and other items thrown onto the ice after performances.

The opening ceremony of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships will be held Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. Following the ceremony, the country’s top figure skaters will take to the ice to begin their quest for a spot on Team USA leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

This year, the U.S. Championships serve as the final qualifying competition before U.S. Figure Skating nominates the 2014 Olympic Figure Skating Team. The Olympic team will be announced on Jan. 12.

The championship’s opening ceremonies on Thursday will pay tribute to “The Hero’s Journey,” and will feature performances by more than 85 performers, including figure skaters, acrobats and dancers. The ceremony will celebrate 100 years of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and will celebrate the stories and victories of athletes and their transformative journeys.

“I’m just excited to be part of something that is so historic,” Young said of her role during the championships. “We’re going to be seeing Olympians being made, so that is really cool.”

Visit ticketmaster.com for tickets to the opening ceremony of the championships Thursday night and the event immediately following the ceremony, the Championship Ladies Short Program.