Skate club hosts awards banquet

Posted on: J A McRae

Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter

The Strathmore Figure Skating Club hosted its first awards banquet on Thursday May 6. The entire club and their families joined together at the Civic Centre for dinner followed by awards. Dinner began at 5:30, and the awards ceremony took place at 6:30. Every girl in the club received an award.  

“We’ve got a few who will receive a ‘most improved’, but it’s mostly about personality,” said Leanne Woodcock, one of the coaches. 

Some of the girls in the club have volunteered their time, helping out once or twice a week with the CanSkate program. Woodcock wanted everyone to walk away with something, because she did not want anyone to feel left out.

Donella Swan has been with the skate club since 1997. She received an award for being the most committed. This is her last year with the club. Some of the other awards handed out were for best attitude, smile and sparkle, and what a charmer.

Friday was test day for the skate club. Judges came in from Skate Canada to evaluate the girls. Sasha Sandmaier tested for the junior bronze.

“I passed testing, it went really well,” said Sandmaier. Of the 17 girls who tested, everyone, except one who missed one part, passed their test. The test was different for each of the girls. It was dependent upon their level of experience. Some of the girls have recently learned new dances, and others had been working on their skills for a year. The club currently has 27 members, and many of them practice year round.