BROWN NAMED DAILY POINT OF LIGHT AWARD WINNER
U.S. champion and Olympian Jason Brown is a Daily Point of Light
Award winner for his eff orts to help sick children and their families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. This past season, Brown vis-
ited children and their families at the Ronald McDonald House in his hometown of Chicago and Win- ston-Salem, North Carolina. The Ronald McDonald House provides families of seriously ill children in treatment a place to stay close to the hospital.
On his visits, Brown brought
the children stuff ed animals that were tossed onto the ice following his performances at Hilton HHonors Skate America and the Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships. “Being part of something big- ger than me is really important,” Brown said in a Points of Light blog. “There’s nothing more amazing than knowing that something you are doing is helping people, espe-
cially children when you see their smiling faces and hear their stories. And they inspire me to do more.” A native of Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, Brown grew
up in a family that believes in the power of volunteerism as a way to bond while helping others. “I love when people come together for a cause,” he says. “No mat-
ter what you do for a living, what your background is, how old you are, how young you are — volunteering brings everyone together as one, as a community. It’s teamwork at its best.”
Gracie Gold
GOLD SHINES IN ICE CHIPS The Skating Club of Boston has a long
tradition of bringing big stars to town for its annual Ice Chips show. Gracie Gold’s appear- ances April 11 and 12 sold out the house for two of the three shows and fi lled the arena with happy screams from her fans. Gold skated two programs, to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off ” and Beyoncé’s “I Was Here.” Gold, who visited the Boston Children’s Hospital while in town,
Ross Miner
went straight from Boston to Tokyo for the World Team Trophy. She hopes to return to Boston in March 2016 for the World Champion- ships.
“Boston will always have a special place in my heart,” said Gold,
who was born in the suburb of Newton, Massachusetts. “I’m so ex- cited for Worlds. I’m stoked for it. I think it will be glorious.” Ross Miner, skating in the show for the 12th time, has grown
up with Ice Chips. He skated a mature and intense new program to Justin Timberlake’s “All Over Again,” choreographed by Massimo Scali.
Simon Shnapir said his new program with partner DeeDee
Leng, to “Beneath Your Beautiful,” expressed the close and support- ive nature of their partnership. Artistic director Matt Lind, along with Kate McSwain, Pippa
Teague and Deirdre Williams choreographed the event, which also showed off the club’s young skaters and its Theatre on Ice and syn- chronized skating teams.
— Sarah S. Brannen
DENNEY/FRAZIER ANNOUNCE COACHING CHANGE Prior to the 2015 World Championships, U.S. pairs silver medalists Haven Denney and
Brandon Frazier announced Ingo Steuer as their new head coach. Steuer, who coached Germans Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy to fi ve World titles, takes over for John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana at the team’s home base in Coral Springs, Florida, after working as assistant coach to the team since last summer. “Having Ingo here and training us really opened [our] eyes,” Denney said. “A coach like
Ingo knows how to prepare a team — mentally and physically — to where we want to be in the future.” Two-time U.S. junior ice dance champion Daniel Eaton announced his new partner-
ship with Danielle Thomas in March. The duo will train in Canton, Michigan, under the di- rection of Marina Zoueva, Johnny Johns, Oleg Epstein and Massimo Scali. Eaton previously won the 2014 Four Continents bronze medal with Alexandra Aldridge, while Thomas is the 2014 U.S. novice pewter medalist with Alexander Martin. Aldridge and Eaton announced their split following the 2015 U.S. Championships, as
did three-time U.S. novice pewter ice dance medalists Holly Moore and Daniel Klaber, and junior pairs competitors Olivia Oltmanns and Joshua Santillan.
HQ PROFILE: JEANNINE COMBS
I am the Member Services
specialist at U.S. Figure Skating headquarters. I assist U.S. Figure Skating members with pass- words, updating tests, compe- tition registration, navigating the U.S. Figure Skating website and coach compliance, among other responsibilities. What is your favorite part of this job?
I really get a sense of accomplishment when completing tasks and helping others. I love the people I work with so it’s fun to come to work. What do you like to do in your spare
time? I love to read, sing and hang out with my children and husband. What would people be surprised to
know about you? I have performed in several musicals and in the opera Carmen. What would be your ideal vacation? I
would love to go to Scotland. Tell us a little bit about your family! I
have been married for almost 21 years to Dan- ny. We have three children: Tyler (17), Ryan (15) and Kylie (14). I have two Labradoodles: Katie and Luna (8).
SKATING 7
PHOTOS BY SARAH S. BRANNEN
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