Unity Skating Club's annual ice carnival is a year-end showcase for all skaters in the club right from the age of three up to the 17- and 18-year-olds experiencing their last figure skating event.
Audience members were not disappointed with the phenomenal decorations the committee put up to enhance this year's theme, A Few of My Favourite Things. Right from a giant iPod to the bubbliest bubble bath, the background depicting many of their favourite things complemented the wonderful costumes worn by each skater.
It was a bittersweet night for four Grade 12 girls who have been with the club over a decade. Kaitlyn (Katy) Robertson and Robin Belliveau have been with the club for 14 years, while Jenna Winterhalt and Brandi Braun are right behind them with 13 years seniority.
The girls were excited but sentimental at the thought of participating in their last USC ice carnival. Both Katy and Jenna said their schedules and the availability to participate or teach in programs where they will be for post-secondary education will determine whether they are able to continue expressing their love of figure skating. Robin, on the other hand, is taking a year off of school and is hoping to coach again next year. Robin has earned her Dance Gold, Skills Gold and Senior Bronze Freeskate titles.
All senior girls were awarded a solo in this year's showcase. They each had input into the choreography and chose their own music and costume. The girls all admitted they will miss the fun whether it was in practice or competition. They cherished the camaraderie and the group numbers they got to perform each year.
The graduates surprised MC Gerald Hauta, and the audience, when they popped in a number not listed on the program, in addition to their multiple performances that night, which gave them a send-off they deserved.
Even though there were some tears, the smiles far outshone the saddest moments, knowing they had been part of a wonderful group they loved and made many happy memories with.
The popular glow in the dark number was back where the entire arena was darkened and skaters emerged to be seen only by the glow sticks attached to their black costumes. It is a stunning number that wows the audience both by its appearance and the awe it evokes as to how performers can manoeuver on the ice and complete their routines in complete darkness.
Backstage was a bustle of costume changes and parents lining up kids well ahead of their next performance so they could warm up and line up ready to shine on the "stage," striking out of their comfort zones to perform for the crowd of approximately 500. Parents offered the warmth of a jacket or blanket to skaters as they exited the ice. Behind the curtain, skaters twirled and stretched preparing for their upcoming number and ensuring all props and costume pieces were in working order.
The players' boxes were full of parents and skaters getting the best seats in the house to snap photos and film their children or watch their friends. The lobby was full of parents running the popular flower/stuffie booth where appreciative audience members purchased items to throw out for the performers they knew. The program and 50/50 business was kept hopping as well. And, with an entire day devoted to set-up, it took dozens of parents following the event to take it all down.
It's an event that starts in the planning stages at the beginning of the season when a carnival chair is chosen and a theme soon follows. From there it is weeks and weeks of choosing music, planning routines, assembling and/or making costumes as well as lining up the many jobs for parents to work at prior to, during and following the carnival.
Of course, the ice carnival is a source of pride for long-time skating club coaches Michelle Brown-Mclean, Colleen Smith and Corinne Van de Meutter. They get to share in the excitement and enthusiasm of kids performing for the crowd, as well as share in the pride of a performance well done. The club is fortunate to have three coaches who dedicate so much time into developing the club and its skaters each season. All three coaches have been with the club for many years.
In addition to the excitement of performing, three skaters were chosen to receive awards sponsored by Credential Financial Strategies. Presenting the awards was Aaron Mielke, investment and insurance advisor.
This year, the Spirit of Skating award was presented to Latania Huard, who is six years old. She is in kindergarten at UPS and has been skating for two years. When Latania was asked if she wanted to join hockey, she quickly replied, "No, I want to go on the ice and twirl like the other girls."
The second Spirit of Skating award was presented to Grace Lindsay who is also six years old and attends UPS. This is her first year of CanSkate and she is always eager to learn jumps and spins like her older cousin.
The CanSkater of the Year was presented to Rachel Burston who is 10 years old and also attends UPS. It was noted that Rachel is very kind and caring and is always happy to help others.
Once carnival is over, the club starts to wind down for the season. The senior girls will continue to skate for most of March but the CanSkate program was done after March 4. There will be another partnering session for girls working on dance tests, along with a couple of test days. With increasing numbers in hockey and skating, the club is challenged finding enough ice time to accommodate everyone. Senior girls shared lessons this year rather than just having private lessons.
More time was allotted to CanSkate as it is a safety issue having too many kids on the ice at one time. The new CanSkate program is solid and the club saw kids improve quicker this year. The coaches can't say for certain whether that is attributed to the new program or the fact they had enough ice time to allow them two sessions.
The graduating girls will be missed but there are a number of girls moving up from group test. The club is very grateful for the new cabinet built by the "hot stove" corner in the arena, enabling the coaches to have quicker and easier access to their tools for CanSkate instruction.
The club was also proud to have a good pass rate at their January test day. Competition this year was a little tougher for the participants but they still rated fair. As with any organization, the Unity Skating Club is always looking for new executive members. This next year a new president will need to be found as Kerri Green is stepping down after several years in this role.
