GRANADA HILLS,CA- Serena Mahendru, ninth-grader from Granada Hills Charter, blazed an icy trail in San Jose to compete in the national ice skating competition entitled Ice Skating Institute’s Holiday Challenge. She won six total awards in this final event of a rigorous competition season and is recognized as one of best ice skaters in the nation; Serena won first place in two team categories, finished second place in one individual category...
and the couple’s category, third place in a trio event, and fourth place in an artistic individual event. Serena is also a tennis player on the school team and juggles both sports successfully while maintaining a full academic course load.
When asked how she finds the energy, she smiles and says, “I just love it. Skating is really enjoyable and I feel so accomplished when I practice.” Serena’s skating career began by accident when her mom Sabina Sikand signed her up for ice skating lessons at age six to prepare for an upcoming skiing trip. “I thought we were done with ice skating after the ski trip, but she loved it so much!” Sabina said. “She is so motivated. It’s all her. I was surprised that she wanted to do tennis, too!”
Balancing tennis, skating and academics isn’t easy but her tennis coach, says Serena has the determination to succeed. “She is committed to the team. Not only is she focused on her own performance, she is also very supportive of her teammates,” he says.
Serena’s outstanding performance qualified her to compete in the 2017 Ice Skating Institute’s World Recreational Team Championships in Anaheim, California, where she will compete against other talented ice skaters from around the world.
When asked how she finds the energy, she smiles and says, “I just love it. Skating is really enjoyable and I feel so accomplished when I practice.” Serena’s skating career began by accident when her mom Sabina Sikand signed her up for ice skating lessons at age six to prepare for an upcoming skiing trip. “I thought we were done with ice skating after the ski trip, but she loved it so much!” Sabina said. “She is so motivated. It’s all her. I was surprised that she wanted to do tennis, too!”
Balancing tennis, skating and academics isn’t easy but her tennis coach, says Serena has the determination to succeed. “She is committed to the team. Not only is she focused on her own performance, she is also very supportive of her teammates,” he says.
Serena’s outstanding performance qualified her to compete in the 2017 Ice Skating Institute’s World Recreational Team Championships in Anaheim, California, where she will compete against other talented ice skaters from around the world.