Solebury School Senior Sarah Mannherz '20 Wins Prestigious Platinum Level Graduating Senior Award from U.S. Figure Skating

Solebury School announced today that Solebury Senior Sarah Mannherz '20 has been awarded the prestigious Platinum-level Graduating Senior Award by the Program Development Committee of U.S. Figure Skating. There are four categories of recognition based on competition and test achievements in all disciplines of figure skating, with Platinum being the highest. 800 students receive the awards annually in all categories.

"We are so proud and impressed with Sarah's accomplishment and the level of excellence this award recognizes," says Tom Wilschutz, Head of Solebury School. "To have achieved this success all the while being an outstanding student and an equally impressive member of the Solebury community speaks volumes about Sarah. Our warmest congratulations."

Sarah began figure skating at the age of two. She was enrolled in a group class by her grandfather, who signed her up for private instruction after just one class. "He thought I was good," Sarah says with a laugh. She has been training with the same coach ever since. "I also have had a coach for competition, moves in the field, and freestyle." Sarah has been competing since she was six. A dedicated skater, Sarah says she "skates as much as possible," which means up to seven days a week in training, in addition to her school work and afterschool theater tech activities. When she's not training, Sarah coaches toddlers on the ice and works at the rink where she skates.

This fall Sarah will be attending University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she will be majoring in Theater Tech and Design and minoring in Fine Arts and Art Education. She plans to continue skating. When asked how she feels about receiving this award, Sarah replies with characteristic modesty. "It's cool," she says. "I'm proud." And she smiles.

"We have seen Sarah's dedication, creativity, and focus while she was a student at Solebury School; clearly she has developed that through her passion of figure skating, and we are thrilled that U.S. Figure Skating has recognized that and honored her with their Platinum Award," says Tim Gallen, Director of College Counseling at Solebury School. "We look forward to seeing her continue to flourish at University of the Arts and beyond."

The U.S. Figure Skating Graduating Seniors Award recognizes the hard work of student-athletes who have participated in figure skating throughout high school. Selection for this award speaks to a skater's continued commitment to succeeding in their athletic and academic endeavors.