Followers of everything from the disparate worlds of entertainment and sports, to big business and even politics have one basic thing in common…everyone loves a good success story. Ambitious dream-seekers the world over continue to be motivated and inspired by the always uplifting and victorious firsthand account of the underdog or wide-eyed newcomer who wholeheartedly follows their personal passion from instinctively and wholeheartedly delving into the necessary learning and information gathering, to winding up in that “right place, right time” scenario and making the right connection that leads to triumphant achievement. The inspiring journey of ice–skater/model ANITA JONES embodies that often elusive, yet not-so-fabled blueprint for success many dream of.

Born and raised on Manhattan’s upper west side, the uplifting story of current New Jersey resident ANITA JONES starts with the everyday, structured upbringing of a then bright-eyed youngster enthusiastically absorbing everything from school studies to a plethora of extracurricular exposure afforded by her single mom. Already smitten with the graceful, then-popular ice skating likes of Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill, an eleven year-old Anita’s interest was officially piqued by the physicality and energy of being on the ice. It didn’t take long for her daring and energetic spirit to lead her to the ice at the local Lasker Rink. “I was eleven when I first got on the ice,” she fondly recalls, “but I didn’t know how to ice skate. [I think] because I lived on 103^rd St. & Central Park West I knew there was a skating rink nearby. So I started ice-skating because it was only seven blocks from where I lived. It was something to do in the winter, so I would go seasonally.” Though she readily admits to the same fear of falling most fall prey to, Anita forged on and soon found herself skating back and forth with ease…often with one hand on the barrier. “Finally, I said `you know what? You gotta let go of the barrier and you’re just going to have to get out there and move your feet…and fall down.”

Within no time she not only moved away from the barrier, but made the acquaintance of more experienced skaters who were not only already watching her but helpful with tips. By the time she had the self-confidence to skate forward and backwards, one adult woman who frequented the rink on Sundays caught the attention of young Anita with her penchant for seemingly effortless skating and spins. “I looked at her and thought, `[You know] I could probably learn how to do that.’ I was so amazed, so I asked her, `Who taught you how to do all those spins and stuff?’” Obviously anxious to set the youngster on the right path, the lady – named Seree Newsome — offered what turned out to be two invaluable pointers that set the now 19 year-old Anita on the proper path. “She told me her coach was a guy named Joe Scherer,” Anita recounts. “She wasn’t a professional; she just loved skating and took lessons from him. She also told me she skated at Sky Rink, where I soon started taking group lessons.” Because Anita had already independently learned how to skate forward and backwards with ease, she was quickly advised that group lessons would be too easy for her and that she would benefit from private lessons. Within no time, she was taking private lessons from Joe Scherer. “I was obsessed with trying to do the `one-foot spin,’ and in my first lesson I got how to do it,” she recalls. “He straightened me out from the first lesson, so I was impressed. I took classes with him every week for a few years. He taught me my spins, jumps and everything.” While Scherer set his sights high for her skating, Anita concentrated on getting better, getting everything stronger and getting consistent. Though she initially wasn’t thinking about competing, through Scherer, she became more aware and focused on ice skating competitions. “I remember there were some recreational competitions, one of which was called the ISI (Ice Skating Institute). With the ISI, you had to take certain tests and compete on different levels. Joe wanted me to compete in the United States Figure Skating Competitions, which were more difficult. He wanted me to do the USFSA competitions because that led up to qualifying competitions like the regionals, sectionals and then [if you are in the Top Three at sectionals], the nationals. And then if you are in the Top Three of the nationals you go to the Olympics.” With that understanding, Anita pursued steady rounds of competitions, however remained realistic where the Olympics are concerned. “I wasn’t planning on going to the Olympics,” she confesses, “because I realized that I had started late. So I wasn’t considering that.” Nevertheless, following Scherer’s untimely passing, Anita found herself continuing her ice skating lessons under the tutelage of Scherer’s colleague, ice skating teacher/performer Denise Beaumont. “She thought I was very good but said, `you need the in-between stuff, like the footwork. And you need to concentrate on the gliding and stroking.’ I had never competed before, so she encouraged me to compete when I started working with her.” Hence, Beaumont worked on tightening up her footwork and putting programs together for her, which put her spins, jumps and footwork to music. In no time, at Beaumont’s insistence, Anita commenced to steady rounds of ISI and USFSA tests and competitions. “My first competition I won,” she recalls, “and then I have won over 70 medals…and that’s because of her. My skating just became more goal-oriented when I started working with Denise.” In recent years, Anita’s ice skating has benefitted from the assistance of other respected coaches Stephanie Egnezzo, David Lipowitz, Dimitri Gromov and Eloise Becker.

All the while, Anita has committed herself to a physical fitness regimen of aerobics and yoga to give her continued stamina and strength – both for herself and specifically for her ice-skating. “I’ve been serious about aerobics since I was 20,” Jones shares. “I do high impact, low impact…trampoline aerobics, step aerobics. I was always going to the gym. Over the past five years, I’ve been doing Bikram Yoga just to keep myself limber. The yoga helps to sustain the body because it keeps it limber and flexible to avoid injuries. Many of the positions I do in Bikram Yoga are similar to the positions I do in ice-skating. After the class you feel so invigorated…so great.”

Always one to keep herself inspired and busy, ANITA JONES has not only continued honing her ice skating skills, but has delved into everything from writing a book and delving into modeling, to conducting on-air interviews for public access television. How To Become A Prize Winning Freestyle Skater In Your Spare Time Year-Round, her self-written/self-published 2010 “How To…” book on ice skating came as a labor of love, meant to inspire interest in young African-Americans. “I wrote this book to encourage people of color and others to learn the sport of figure skating, and the essential health benefits derived from skating.” In the book, she outlines her ice-skating beginnings and accomplishments, while also providing cost-effective tips and a step-by-step tutorial on signature ice skating moves. “I am planning on issuing a new edition, like change the over and add some new things,” she offers. “I would also like to include a DVD showing the basics of skating forwards and backwards.”

Ultimately, ANITA JONES has successfully positioned herself within a rich legacy of Black female ice skaters, which includes the likes of Olympic-level skaters Debi Thomas, Surya Bonaly and Taia Babalonia. “I think they all brought unique qualities to ice skating. There has not been an African-American U.S. national figure skating champion on the senior level since Debi Thomas,” she says of this rich legacy. “Taia brought her unique ability to skate with someone else, Randy Gardner. That’s difficult. It’s hard enough to get yourself to do something on ice skates, but to do that with another person and become an Olympic world champion is awesome.”

Much like how ANITA JONES’s involvement in ice-skating was enhanced and honed by the mentors she was fortunate enough to encounter, she pays it forward by outlining a path for others to follow. “I would say stick with it and find a good coach,” she imparts. “Stay around positive people who support you in your sport. Just sticking with the skating and the discipline you learn from it will help you in all aspects of your life. If it’s something that interests you, follow it. Perhaps one day I’ll be known as a woman who inspired and helped coach our 21^st century’s new wave of Black freestyle figure skating champions.”