This week’s Athlete of the Week is senior Dani Li, who is an international student from China and leader on the spirit squad.

Li majors in international business and has been a member of the spirit squad for three years.

Despite a background in figure skating, Li is new to cheerleading.

“I learned how to cheer here at Park,” she said. “We didn’t have it back at home so it was something new.”

Li learned about Park through her aunt.

“My aunts’ friend was a recruiter for Park so he helped me as an agent,” she said.

Li was a professional figure skater for 12 years in China.

“My uncle really introduced me to figure skating,” she said. “He went to the Olympics twice and I witnessed his successes.

From that point on, I really wanted to do it. It was a huge part of my life pretty much my whole life.”

As far as accolades Li has a long resume.

“I achieved several times of junior championship medals and I placed 9th in the national games in China,” she said.  Li said that after graduation she has big plans for her future including working in the U.S. temporarily.

“I’ll probably move California and do (optional practice training) for a year then we will see from there,” she said.