Skating for the stars

Orlando Velazquez has two interests that occupy his time: his job in the front office at Anne Frank Elementary School and his pursuit of competitive figure skating.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Velazquez was inspired to try figure skating after watching a movie about a teenager who rose to the competitive level.

“I didn’t experience winter weather, so I was amazed when my parents took me to an ice rink for the first time,” Velazquez said.

Velazquez was hooked the second his blades hit the ice. 

“I fell in love with it because it is like a form of art that allows me to express myself and how I feel. It makes me feel free, like flying on a plane,” Velazquez said. 

In Dallas, he signed up for adult figure skating classes after the 2022 Winter Olympics. He never looked back. Monday through Friday, as soon as the school day ends, he drives about five minutes down the road to the Galleria Ice Skating Center. 

Once his Edea skates are laced up, it’s game on, as Velazquez edges closer to his goal to be the first figure skater to represent Puerto Rico at a Winter Olympic Games. The Olympic moment he dreams of isn’t a medal. It’s about putting Puerto Rico in the spotlight and skating on Olympic ice.

With few “off” days, training for the Olympics is no easy feat.

In addition to practicing drills, running programs, and finessing complex spins and jumps, Velazquez does off-ice exercises and takes both private and group lessons. On the weekends, he practices at Star Center ice rinks.

One evening, Beverly Mullins Ford, principal of Anne Frank Elementary, saw him practicing at the Galleria.

“I stopped to watch the ice skaters. I didn’t know he would be there at that time, but he was, and I was amazed,” she said. “I went to school the next day and told everyone I saw him and how good he was.”

Since skating competitively, Velazquez has performed in an exhibition and entered three competitions. He recently glided into first place at a competition in McKinney. Dressed as a gladiator, he skated to the theme from “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.”

“I still get chills when I think about it and watch the videos. I get this mixed feeling of joy, pride, relief, and accomplishment,” Velazquez said.

His dream of competing in the Olympics is now shared by his Dallas ISD family, who have rallied behind him since day one. Co-workers attend competitions and share his skating videos in the school’s newsletter.

“The highlight of this experience is how it united the entire staff in celebration,” Mullins Ford said. “Many staff members enjoyed discussing his skating and watching his videos. During the hectic and busy end-of-school-year period, his remarkable talent provided a bright and uplifting moment for everyone.” 

His pursuit of interests outside working hours is an example to his colleagues, she added. 

“Having a passion like sports, art, and music can help with overall well-being and have a positive impact on our physical, and mental health,” Mullins Ford said. “It gives us an opportunity to connect with others and even help manage our stress. For Orlando, I know skating will allow him to fulfill his passion to celebrate life.”

With his Olympic goal in sight, Velazquez plans to find sponsorships. He continues to work on improving his skating skills, including cleanly landing the double axel jump. One of the most difficult jumps in the sport, skaters have to complete two-and-a-half rotations in the air before landing. 

“It feels like I am flying. The rush of jumping and rotating that fast in under a second always gets me emotional,” Vazquez said. 

His advice to aspiring athletes is simple.

“Don’t be too harsh on yourself, always keep trying your best, take diligent care of your mental and physical health, and have fun doing what you enjoy,” Velazquez said. “Sports should be about passion and fun.”