After a brief retirement, Oakland’s own Alysa Liu is looking to compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. As the figure skating superstar hopes to capture gold for the U.S., those who have seen Liu since the start of her journey say she’s making her hometown proud. As people fill u p the skating rink the Oakland Ice Center. Banners hung in the rafters, recognizing the many achievements of Liu. “I am so proud, I am just in awe that she’s become this successful,” said Scarlett Simon, ice skating coordinator. Simon grew up training alongside Liu at the Oakland Ice Center. “I truly have seen her from this little tiny pipsqueak making slime everyday to this amazing woman who was grown so, so much,” Simon said. “All her friends are still in the building, skating as adults now, so it’s fun to have her in the building,” said Glenn Martin, general manager at the Oakland Ice Center. Martin says Liu continues to inspire the next generation of ice skaters whenever she comes back to train at the site. And he says the skating community is excited to see her come back from retirement and go for the gold. “She’s doing it for herself. Alysa’s driving the bus, it’s everything she wants,” Martin said. And when Liu does train at the center, Simon says her students are taking notes. “Their eyes are as big as saucers and they’re like ‘oh my goodness it’s Alysa!” Simon said. And they’re hoping to cheer her on in Italy as Liu continues to serve as an inspiration to the next generation of ice skaters coming out of the Bay Area. “Especially just being a kid from Richmond and Oakland, seeing you can be the next Olympian,” Simon said. ...read more read less