N AT I ONA L SK AT I NG M ONTH SC of Amherst
Ann Arbor FSC
North Atlantic FSC
Ann Arbor FSC Ann Arbor, Michigan
Troy FSC
A RECORD YEAR!
Clubs celebrate with a variety of fun activities
Now in its 15th year, National Skating Month (NSM) continues to grow with each individual suc- cess story. For the fifth consecutive year, the demand for NSM kits broke a record, with 554 kits mailed out to participating clubs and programs. More than 520 events were held in 48 states. Each NSM kit contained posters, Basic Skills magazines, gloves, skill cards, stick- ers and other fun items that are shared with the public through giveaways and raffles. Also included were free lessons, exhibitions and fun activities. It’s easy to see the concept behind this year’s slogan “Skating is a Blast!” Here are some of the club reports from NSM.
34 APRIL 2016 compiled by BRENDA GLIDEWELL
SC of Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts
We celebrated National Skating Month on
Jan. 24 in conjunction with Team USA selections for the World Championships, which were held last month in our home state of Massachusetts. Te celebration experienced a wonderful turn- out. We asked our skaters to wear red, white and blue to support Team USA. After the learn-to- skate formal lesson time was over, we distributed red, blue and silver beads and American flags to the Basic Skills participants, helpers and coach- es. We took a group picture and then celebrated “It’s Great to Skate,” with a reception party that included cookies and punch for all families and friends. Participants went home with a gift item or two from the National Skating Month kit. Te U.S. Figure Skating posters remain proudly post- ed at our home rink, the Mullins Center practice rink on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.
We had our Special Olympics athletes and therapeutic class members on the ice with their family, friends, teachers, classmates and club members. We had approximately 150 people on the ice for the community skate portion of the afternoon. It was amazing to watch our spe- cial-needs skaters hand in hand with their friends, circling the rink and trying to teach them a skill. Te junior Hockettes synchronized skating team helped as well. Tey were wonderful with adults and kids alike, and I think it’s always important to bring all the facets of the club together to support various events, as it provides a sense of belonging for all club members. We ended the afternoon with 200 audience members watching an exhibi- tion that included all the Hockettes teams pre- paring for Midwestern Championships, as well as the Special Olympics athletes preparing for the Special Olympics Michigan State Winter Games. I loved watching our team members cheer for our special-needs athletes. Also recognized were our Special Olympics athletes, who had just returned from the World Test Games in Austria.
North Atlantic FSC, Maine We hosted an open house on Jan. 3 to cel-
ebrate National Skating Month. Our coaches and junior coaches offered mini skating lessons to registrants, and all who attended enjoyed the door prizes from U.S. Figure Skating. Our winter learn-to-skate program began the following week, and many families have signed up for the new ses- sion. We look forward to welcoming all of our new skaters.
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