BASIC SKILLS


GRANT ENABLES SC OF


Te Skating Club of Southern Connecticut (SCSC), located in Fair- field County, recently hosted its first Basic Skills competition in two years thanks to a grant program adminis- tered by U.S. Figure Skating. Te club used one of a dozen $2,000 grants awarded through the Robert V. Hauff and John F. Dreeland Foundation in an initiative to help build the sport at the grass-roots level. Te high cost of running the


competition prevented the club from hosting the event last year. “We were excited because this competition gives kids in skating schools an introduction to the next level of the sport,” said Kari Ryan, president of the SCSC. “It helps boost their confidence and increase their commitment to the sport.” U.S. Figure Skating considered 66 grant applications. Each of the 12 grant recipients committed to es- tablishing domestic community pro- grams and events that would attract, involve and inspire a new generation of future skaters. A five-member panel from U.S.


Figure Skating evaluated the grant ap- plications, which included informa- tion about projected membership in- creases, testimonials from participants of previous events and the potential impact on the community. “We wanted to come up with a


plan that involved something new,” said Susi Wehrli-McLaughlin, senior director of membership for U.S. Fig- ure Skating and member of the panel. “Te grants were created to tap into the community.” Te recipients have each used


their funds in various ways. In addi- tion to hosting Basic Skills competi- tions, they bought rental skates, host- ed skating programs for the visually impaired, created new community outreach programs and formed syn- chronized and Teatre on Ice groups, among other things. “In general, the community de-


velopment grants have been phenom- enal in terms of affecting U.S. Figure


42 JUNE/JULY 2012


SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT TO CULTIVATE ITS BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM by LIZ LEAMY


Skating,” said Wehrli-McLaughlin, adding that the grant application for the 2012‒2013 season was put on the U.S. Figure Skating website in April. Te SCSC Basic Skills event at


the Terry Conners Rink in Stamford, Conn., attracted more than 50 com- petitors from all over New York City and Southern Connecticut, most of who appeared to be happy, enthusi- astic and motivated at the prospect of participating in the sport. “We are thrilled with how well the competition went,” Ryan said. “Te skaters, parents, coaches and officials said they had a great time, which was really nice.” Ryan was also grateful to the


U.S. Figure skating judges and of- ficials who attended this event, and said they were a big reason for its suc- cess.


“We appreciate all of the efforts of the judges and officials who have given so generously of their time,” Ryan said. “Tey have played such a big role for us in terms of helping to build figure skating.” Basic Skills events such as this


one are a win-win situation for ev- eryone involved, Wehrli-McLaughlin said, especially the skaters, since they all walk away with a medal. “Participating in a Basic Skills competition such as this one helps give skaters a great deal of self-es- teem and confidence,” said Wehrli- McLaughlin, who is also a judge at Basic Skills events in the Colorado area.


At the same time, these Basic


Skills events also help young skaters to learn many important life lessons. “Te skaters learn to have the courage to get out on the ice and per- form their programs for a crowd, and to get up and keep going if they hap- pen to fall down,” Wehrli-McLaugh- lin said. “It has so many benefits and really helps to keep kids involved and excited about skating.” For more information on the grant foundation, please visit the U.S. Figure Skating website.


Deanna Gladstone, Springdale FSC; Danielle Nugent, Skating Club of Southern Connecticut; and Natalie Hernandez, Skating Club of Southern Connecticut, enjoyed the event and hanging out together.


U.S. Figure Skating officials Karen Maier, Joan Liotta, Leo Cote and Ilana Prusock played a key role in the success of the competition.


Sisters Isabella Hernandez, representing the Terry Conners Skating School, and Natalie Hernandez, representing the Skating Club of Southern Connecticut, participated in the Basic Skills competition.


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