Judge Robert Sweet and his coach Samvel Gezalian enjoy some ice time. The New York Times featured the judge in a story in April.


Here comes the judge!


One would never guess the age of Judge Robert W. Sweet as he glides across the ice at Sky Rink in New York City, executing the three turns, mohawks and swing rolls that make up the Foxtrot.


But there he is at 92 years old, asking his coach, Olympi- an Samvel Gezalian, curious questions about partnering and posture. After 20 years in the sport, he explained, the draw of the ice is always present, pulling him to the rink at least two days a week. Why? It’s simple, he said, “Skat- ing is exciting. It’s a metaphor for life.”


The judge began skating in 1996 after his wife, Adele, took to the sport. For him, there was something compel- ling about the never-ending challenges of torso twist, the strength it took to get over the skating side, the faith one must have to the lean of the edge as well as the mind-body connection it takes to control the extension of the free leg. Although most gravitate to more ground- ed, less precarious activities with age, the judge enjoyed the adventure.


“You have to learn, and to have determination, endur- ance and balance — and when it is done right, it is exhil- arating,” he said. “To try to keep those qualities as you age is a worthwhile challenge.”


A graduate of Yale Law School, he served as deputy may- or of New York City in the late 1960s, worked in private practice in the law fi rm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and was appointed to the federal court for the Southern District of New York by President Jimmy Car- ter. As a senior federal judge in the United States District Court’s Southern District, he still works fi ve days a week — presiding over federal cases, including a case involv- ing Facebook’s initial public off ering.


“Every time I teach him, I am simply amazed,” Gezalian said. “He has a keen desire to master skating’s complicat- ed skills, but he also knows how to have fun. Because of those two elements, there is always improvement. So you see, age can be just a number.”


46 JUNE-JULY 2015 — Marni Halasa


Skaters from across the New England region performed in the third annual Finale on Ice benefi t ice show on March 1 at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The show featured special guest performanc- es by Maxim Naumov, Jade Esposito and Nathan Rensing, Taylor Rocco, Jamiesen Cyr and Ocean State Ice Theatre. A large crowd turned out for the event, which raised money and collected new and gently used coats to benefi t the Hockomock Area YMCA Reach Out for Youth and Families Campaign and Cradles to Crayons. The show was sponsored by the Pawtucket and Providence FSC and directed by Ashley Brouil- lette. Creative Music Productions played the music and Wendy Sheri- dan served as the announcer.


Williams-Stewart to wed


Former Team USA member Megan Williams-Stewart is getting married this summer.


Williams-Stewart and former Canadi- an national team member Leif Gisla- son will exchange vows on Aug. 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.


The couple is employed at Ice Works in Aston, Pennsylvania. Wil- liams-Stewart is a professional coach and director of the learn-to-skate program, while Gislason is the director of the junior competition pro- gram.


Williams-Stewart won the silver medal at the 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy and the gold medal at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial in 2006. She last competed at the U.S. Championships in 2008. Gislason represented Canada in the junior and senior Grand Prix Series. He was a two-time medalist at the junior level, ranking eighth in the world.


The Dallas FSC Junior Board col- lected donated gifts for the Gen- esis Women’s Shelter of Dallas in December. The gifts not only put smiles on the children’s faces during the holiday season, but also allowed the Genesis staff to show each woman and child that they are safe and they matter. The shelter provided Christmas gifts to more than 300 families. Ashley Shin is president of the Junior Board, Alessandra Vani- gli is the vice president, Megan Shah is the treasurer, Riley Shin is secretary, while Amber Glenn and Courtney Lewis are the his- torians.


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