Progress over perfection

Miss Castle Pines Teen Autumn Hall placed fourth runner-up in Miss Colorado’s Teen pageant in June.

Five years ago, we reported on Hidden Pointe neighbor Autumn Hall and her Olympic figure skating dreams. Now a senior at Rock Canyon High School, Autumn is still ice skating and a U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist, and in June, she represented Castle Pines in the Miss Colorado’s Teen pageant.

Looking back over the years, Autumn explained her path with some highs and lows. In 2021, Autumn was the champion in the U.S. Figure Skating National Showcase and performed in the Parade of Champions in the Lyrical Pop category.

In 2023, Autumn hit a bump in the road. “I had low confidence and self-doubt and I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to continue the sport,” explained Autumn. “I then realized maybe it wasn’t the sport, but it was what I was doing with it.” She changed her ice-skating goals from a path to the Olympics to show skating. “I think of it as Olympics versus Disney on Ice,” meaning her skating style today is more artistic with musical interpretation.

In 2024, Autumn placed fifth out of 25 in the Novice Lyrical Pop routine. But when testing for the next level, the Junior Free Skate singles-skating, Autumn failed the test four times. “I was unsure if I wanted to keep trying. After I finally passed the test, I never wanted to be in that headspace again,” explained Autumn. “And with that, I rerouted my brain to be positive and learn to go for progress over perfection.” Autumn accomplished the Senior-level test last year and is currently working toward her next discipline: ice dance.

Autumn still skates every day. Her next competition is in California at the National Theatre on Ice competition. In August, the National Showcase will be held in Denver where Autumn will compete in Lyrical Pop, Emotional, Character, Trio, Small group and Large group.

All of this training occurred while Autumn participated in the statewide teen pageant, where she placed fourth runner-up. “Representing Castle Pines means so much and I want to serve my community with love and dedication,” she added.

Autumn had to create a community service initiative for the pageant. Hers is “The confidence collective: Finding and owning your light,” with a plan to uplift the next generation of girls, letting them know that failure does not define them. “Mistakes are a good thing; sometimes we even learn more from them,” stated Autumn, who plans to host some local events for young girls down the road.

To follow Autumn’s skating career or see her pageant debut, visit her Instagram pages at @skating_autumn and @Miss.autumnhall26.