INSYNCH ‘ENDEAVOR TO
CRYSTALLETTES DRAW STRENGTH FROM THEIR ILL COACH by HOLLY MALEWSKI
When you find yourself questioning
whether you have the passion to make it through a season, or future seasons for that matter, reflect on why you fell in love with skating and coaching in the first place. Was it about watching your skaters and
the countless medals they won at competi- tions? Was it when your vision of the per- fect package, program and costume came to life? Was it the moment you realized your dreams, despite what seemed to be fruitless efforts for months, or even years? Was it the fact that you know you are the coach and you must lead by example and would never let your skaters give up or give up on them? For me, it was for every single one of
those reasons, and more. My sister, Shannon Peterson, has been battling breast cancer for just more than a year, and the battle is still not over. Her strength to persevere is my inspiration, my inner strength and my reality check. Tere were moments when I did not want to continue without her by my side, and even more moments when I did not think I could. Shannon, my sister and coaching partner with the Crystallettes, continues to push her body, mind and soul to levels I am not sure I could ever endure. Watching her fight the fight of her life made skating and coaching challenges pale in comparison. Ironically, despite the emotional tur- moil of the season, Shannon drew her
strength to battle cancer from her experiences as a skater, and we drew our strength from her. She would come to as many practices as she could. On the sideline she would sit, armed with only an iPad, bucket and blanket. She selflessly coached even though she was cough- ing, shaking, pale, exhausted and wearing a scarf or a wig to mask her loss of hair. Maybe only once a month, maybe three times … we were at the mercy of chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries. Tere was not one of us who would dare complain of an injury, be- ing tired from schoolwork, or too many run- throughs. Troughout our lifetimes we all have
faced roadblocks that seemed insurmount- able. But as we all know, skating has taught us to persevere, and that is what I will do. I will teach, as I always have, by continual self-re- flection, continuing education and by remind- ing myself of the common goal I share with my sister Shannon and our skaters. Giving up has never been an option and will never be an option. Not for this Crystallettes family. We will endeavor to persevere, both on and off the ice. You will, too.
PERSEVERE’
Shannon and Holly take a break during the 2014 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Courmayeur, Italy.
Editor’s note: Te Crystallettes are one of the most established and ac- complished synchronized skating organizations in the United States. Shannon began her synchronized skating coaching career in 1984, and sisters Shannon and Holly began leading the organization in 1987. Te teams from Dearborn, Michigan, have won numerous U.S. and international medals, and their senior team has made appearances at four World Synchronized Skating Championships. Along with all of her coaching duties, Shannon is the executive director of secondary educa- tion for Dearborn Public Schools. Te Crystallettes raised nearly $8,000 last fall for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. “Shannon’s Supporters” continue to stand by Shannon through these hard times and draw strength by remembering the Crystallettes’ motto: We ARE, we WILL, we BELIEVE.
52 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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