Holidays on ice

Manny Everett

Times Contributor

 

“Holidays on Ice” was the theme for the Standard Skate Club’s annual carnival, which featured over 35 skaters last Friday at the Standard/Rosebud Arena.

There was plenty of activity behind the scenes with excited kids, and parents rushing around to get their children in the right costumes for specific pieces, as well as Sonya Koustrup who was overseeing her eighth carnival as the club’s coach.

On the ice the crowd was treated to a range of performances. The littlest ones aged 4-5 walked on the ice. Some had a few tumbles, while a few more energetic ones skated around (not necessarily to their music)—making up in enthusiasm what they might have lacked in polish.

The older skaters with their solo performances showed what years of practice can accomplish. Most senior skater, Nicole Ellis, a Grade eight student at Standard school, has been skating for 9 years in Standard, and performed a dance on the ice to a combination classical piece of music. Other solos were performed by Star Skaters, Kennedy and Taylor Adamson, Shaynna Duguay, Marissa Dumonceaux, and Audrey Sommerfeldt. The amount of hard work and effort that went into the performances was evident.

The evening started out with “O Canada” sung by Shelby Gregory and daughters Marley and Chloe, on the skate club’s updated sound system. Installed by Chris Seely, it enhanced the music for the evening which took the audience from New Year’s Day all the way through to Christmas, highlighting all the popular calendar holidays.

A strong turnout from the community supported the young performers and also participated in the ever popular raffles, draws and 50/50’s. Thirty-three separate sponsors contributed to the event.

The skaters will conclude their season this coming Thursday with a pizza party and fun skate, while the senior Star Skaters will still have a test day on Friday before completing their season.