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Skaters

Karen Zhou

Born:

August 21, 1991

Birthplace:

Lafayette, Ind.

Height:

5' 2"

Level:

Senior

Hometown:

Mission Viejo, Calif.

College:

University of California, Irvine

Training Town:

Lake Arrowhead, Calif.

Club:

All Year FSC

Coach:

Rafael Arutunian, Karen Kwan-Oppegard

Choreographer:

Cindy Stuart, Jeffrey Buttle

Started skating at the age of 5 because "my cousins started and told me to give it a try" ... Trained with Mary Becktell from 2003-07 ... Graduated from Rim of the World High School in 2008 ... Recipient of many scholastic awards including Academic 2nd Bar and Most Outstanding Student in AP Calculus, French 3 and Algebra 2 ... Volunteers with the All Year Figure Skating Club ... Supports the American Red Cross ... Hobbies include figure skating, shopping, eating, biking and reading ... Favorite country to travel to is Italy because "it was so gorgeous, the people were incredibly nice and generous, and the food was absolutely amazing" ... Has a passion for business ... Would like to become a successful businesswoman after her skating career ... Biggest life-defining moment was when she qualified for the 2008 U.S. Championships and then was given the opportunity to represent the United States in Italy ... Something that not many people know is that she skipped the eighth grade ... Listens to Suzie McNeil and Natasha Bedingfield ... Would like to meet Reese Witherspoon because "she is a great role model for everyone."

KAREN'S FAVORITES
Favorite sports figure: Kobe Bryant
Favorite sports team: Los Angeles Lakers
Favorite city: Selva val Gardena, Italy
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite author: Stephanie Meyer
Favorite magazine: Reader's Digest
Favorite gadget: iPod
Favorite vacation: Beijing, China
Favorite performers: Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Jordin Sparks
Favorite reality shows: America's Next Top Model, Hell's Kitchen
Favorite drinks: Boba, smoothies, frappuccinos
Favorite vacation spots: Rio de Janiero, Brazil; Edinburgh, Scotland
Favorite quote: "Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise." - Kobe Bryant

KAREN'S 'THREE THINGS'
Three things people would be surprised to find out about me: I eat a lot, I love to write and talk, and I am a huge Lakers fan.
Three people I'd like to have dinner with: Stephanie Meyer, Reese Witherspoon and Luke Walton
Three things I hate doing: Running on the treadmill, eating seafood and biology
Three things I love doing: Skating, reading and eating
Three television characters I wish were real so I could hang out with them: Dr. House, Logan Huntzberger and Serena van der Woodsen
Three favorite movies: August Rush, Pride and Prejudice and Eagle Eye
Three things I must have when I leave the house: Phone, iPod and purse
Three favorite bands: Paramore, All American Rejects and Linkin Park
Three people I would like to meet: Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom
Three favorite TV shows: Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls and House
Three favorite books: The Twilight series, The Host and The Hunger Games
Three favorite web sites: Facebook.com, Yahoo.com and icenetwork.com
Three favorite foods: Filet mignon, gnocchi and cookies 'n' cream ice cream cake
Three favorite drinks: Boba, fruit smoothies and caramel frappuccino

2010 Season Notes
SP Music: "Reverie" by James Judd, Julian Lloyd Webber and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
FS Music: Selections from the soundtrack of The Piano by Michael Nyman and the soundtrack of The Hours by Philip Glass

Goals for 2009-10: To perform two successful programs at the U.S. Championships and do my best throughout the entire season.
2009 Season Notes
SP Music: Isaac Albeniz's "Asturias" performed by John Williams
FS Music: "Daphnis et Chloe" by Ravel

Costumes designed by Shelley Dornbush

More action from senior ladies short program

Karen Zhou's free skate from the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships 400K | 700K
Karen Zhou's short program at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships 400K | 700K