On a Roll – Hinkle Lands a Spot in World Championship
During the week, Chelsea Hinkle excels as a junior Accounting and Finance dual major, but as soon as Friday afternoon rolls around, it’s time for her to lace up her skates. When Hinkle hits the rink, she jumps and spins like any of the most famous figure skaters. Hinkle, however, doesn’t compete on the ice.
A competitive roller figure skater, Hinkle practices for at least 18 hours on the weekend during the academic year and 30 to 40 hours a week during the summer. Despite the long hours, her dedication has finally paid off. She recently placed in the National Roller Figure Skating competition in Peoria, Ill., qualifying to compete in the World Championship in Freiburg, Germany in November. This will be Hinkle’s first World Championship and her first time competing abroad.
“It’s been my dream to make it to Worlds. The last couple of competitions, I have missed it by one point,” said the 21-year old. “I was happy, but I didn’t want to upset my sister. I was disappointed that she was not competing because we would not be training together for Worlds. It’s the first time I beat her in the sport.”
Roller figure skating has been part of the Hinkle family since her parents met at a roller rink. Their father, Steven, continues to teach and does inventory at a roller rink in their hometown of Voorhees, N.J. Naturally, both Hinkle and her sister, Lindsay, 24, started to skate as soon as they could walk.
“I went to daycare part time. Every time I was not in daycare, I was at the roller rink. It was an easy way for my dad to work and watch us,” explained Hinkle, whose mother, Deborah, a materials engineer, designs her costumes. Hinkle plans to wear a purple feathered costume when she dances to the score of the ballet The Firebird during the World Championship.
Hinkle will travel with the U.S. Olympic-sponsored Roller Figure Skating Team to Germany for 10 days. Since she will only be competing the first three days, she will have the rest of the time to explore the country with her family.
An aspiring chief financial officer, Hinkle said she was encouraged to study Accounting and Forensic Accounting by Dr. Dorothy McMullen, associate professor of Accounting, and Dr. Margaret O’Reilly-Allen, chair of the Accounting department.
“Accounting is the language of business,” said Hinkle, a student worker in Advancement Services on the Lawrenceville campus. “You can go into a job with an Accounting degree and go anywhere in the business.
Recently, the honors student’s hard work was recognized when she was awarded the $2,000 Ritchie-Jennings Scholarship through the Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Hinkle credits her experiences in the classroom and on the rink instilling the skill, drive and confidence she needs to be successful in the business world.
“I have learned the value of time management – extreme time management. You have to be on the ball,” she explained. “I have also developed a good work ethic. You have to work hard to try to get a certain goal. It’s not always easy. It’s a skill you can incorporate in a job.”
