FACTOIDS
Full Name: Jamie Silverstein
Nickname: Jamie
Birthday: December 23, 1983
Height: 5’3”
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sports: Figure Skating
PROFILE
Jamie Silverstein began skating in 1986 at 3 years old. "My mom loved the sport and my brothers didn't take to it," said Silverstein.
Silverstein partnered with Justin Pekarek in 1995. At the 1996 U.S. Championships, Silverstein and Pekarek finished first in novice dance.
The couple finished third as juniors in 1997, second as juniors in 1998, and first as juniors in 1999. Silverstein and Pekarek also finished second as seniors in 2000.
The couple won the 1999 Junior Grand Prix Final and 1999 World Junior Championship. Silverstein and Pekarek also finished 12th at the 2000 World Championships.
Silverstein and Pekarek broke up following the World Championships. Before leaving ice dancing to attend college in 2002, Silverstein briefly skated with Brandon Forsyth.
Silverstein attended Cornell University through December 2004. At Cornell, she studies "catharsis across culture and context."
"I am examining the opportunity for liberation throughout different artistic media, and also, how one can achieve an 'emotional purge' through personal experiences within the arts," Silverstein said.
In December 2004, Silverstein took a leave of absence from Cornell University to pursue ice dancing.
"Coming back to skating is one of the scariest and most thrilling things I have done in my life so far," said Silverstein.
"My biggest life defining moment has been choosing to leave skating to go college and choosing to come back," Silverstein said. "These were both huge emotional decisions for me and I am proud of both of them."
Silverstein plans to return to Cornell in fall 2006.
After her skating career Silverstein would also like to produce an "ice-theater" that blends drama and dance in a staged theater setting, she said. Silverstein also has a "secret dream to be a TV chef."
"Additionally, I would like to work with children either in an educational or psychological field, and pen a memoir," she said. "I also intend to continue teaching and practicing yoga."
"I heart yoga," said Silverstein. She is currently a part-time yoga instructor as well as a part-time figure skating coach.
Silverstein also does volunteer work.
"I volunteer weekly at a Kindergarten," she said. "I love working with the kids and hope to one day grow up to be as selfless as the kids are.
They all act without motive or pretense and it is inspiring to witness," Silverstein said. "Plus, I still like to color."
She also enjoys browsing in bookstores and writing.
"My biggest accomplishment outside of skating has been learning to be compassionate and honest with myself, and learning to be compassionate, empathetic, and forgiving towards others," Silverstein said.
"I am always striving to be the best version of myself while still having a blast along the way. It's a work in progress," she said. "At the end of the day who and how we are is all we've got."
"My motto in life is to live compelled by both passion and compassion."
