The Cutting Edge: How TPH Kansas City is Leveling Up Alexis Snyder’s Figure Skating & Future
When TPH Academy Kansas City student-athlete Alexis Snyder steps onto the ice, she isn’t skating for medals, rankings, or applause. She’s skating for herself — for the rush of flying across the rink, the satisfaction of hitting a clean jump, and the joy of seeing years of dedication reflected in the numbers.
“I skate for myself,” Alexis says. “I love being able to fly across the ice and the satisfaction of landing a big, clean jump.”
That self-driven passion, paired with the flexibility and support she’s found at TPH Academy, has helped her reach levels she once only dreamed about.
Alexis laced up her first pair of skates at six years old, and from that moment on, she never stopped climbing. She placed 12th at the 2020 Southwestern Regional Singles Challenge as a Juvenile girl, earned an invitation to the 2023 Pacific Rim Advanced Novice Open — her first international event — and later finished 10th in the Midwest at the 2024 Midwestern Sectional Singles at the Novice level. Her competitive momentum kept building. She was selected for the prestigious 2024 Jump on It! Camp, then returned to Sectionals later that year, finishing 7th in the Midwest as a Junior.
By the end of her 2024–25 season, Alexis ranked 4th in the Southwestern region, 7th in the Midwest, and 25th in the nation. In November 2025, she passed her gold singles test — becoming a triple gold medalist in Skating Skills (Moves in the Field), Solo Free Dance, and Freeskate. Every season has moved her forward, and she’s only gaining momentum.
As her training demands grew, Alexis needed an academic and training model that worked with her schedule — not against it. That search led her to TPH Academy Kansas City, where academics and skating finally fit together. “TPH helped me schedule my days to get the most out of every skating session, every workout, and every academic block,” she says. “It’s helped me find a new love for skating and academics by the amazing people there.”
Instead of the long days many young figure skaters face racing from school to the rink and back again, Alexis now gets to train when she needs to, complete her academics in a rhythm that fits her skating schedule, and still enjoy being a kid with gym time, recess, and friends who inspire her. And even though skating is an individual sport, she never feels alone due to the tight-knit environment at TPH Academy Kansas City. “We’re all working toward improvement in our sports and academics every day,” she says.
Her growth hasn’t been limited to the ice. Alexis credits TPH Academy Kansas City with giving her teachers who challenge her academically and personally, a quiet workspace where she can focus, strength and conditioning coaches who push her, classmates who celebrate each other’s wins, and a culture that brings joy into every day. “TPH [Academy Kansas City] provides me with a place to have fun every day,” she adds — a small sentence that captures something big, because for youth athletes, keeping the sport fun is essential.
Looking ahead, Alexis hopes to master all of her triple jumps and continue developing as an elite skater. She also plans to attend college, skate collegiately, and pursue her growing interest in biology — a passion sparked by taking AP Biology this year at TPH Kansas City. With the Academy’s support and collaborations with local Blue Valley schools, Alexis is even able to take her AP exam.
From her first strides at age six to earning her triple gold medal at 16, Alexis Snyder is carving out a path built on grit, joy, and ambition. At TPH Kansas City, she’s found the structure, support, and community that help her rise on the ice, in the classroom, and in her future.
Ready to level up like Alexis? Start your journey at TPHAcademy.com/Apply-Now.
About TPH Academy:
TPH Academy is an academy-style, focused environment where dedicated student-athletes study, train, and play at their highest potential. TPH Academy’s core purpose is to lead the world in the holistic development of student-athletes, advancing – in and beyond the game – the next generation of impact players. For more information about TPH Academy, please visit tphacademy.com and check out the 2023-2024 TPH Academy Impact Report.
