CELEBRATING 15 YEARS!
GoFigure! Summer/Fall 2011
Ivy League: Here She Comes!, P.4 Leading Edge Academic Center Opens, P.3 Thank you Gov. Cuomo!, P.3 Tina & Terry Lundgren, Sarah Hughes Honored at Record-Breaking Gala, P.8 FSH Team Medals at Competition, P.7 Students Meet Supreme Court Justice, P.5
www.figureskatinginharlem.org Est. 1997
Inside FSH Getting on Board…
A Letter From Our Leadership
FSH is thrilled to add two outstanding members to our Advisory Board: Nicole Feld Strauss, executive of Feld Entertainment, and government affairs specialist and former Chair of Community Board 9, Stanley Gleaton. Both have been wonderful partners of FSH and bring tremendous enthusiasm to our cause. Joining our Board of Directors this fall are two wonderful corporate professionals: Amy Abbott, formerly with UST Inc., who has been instrumental in furthering FSH’s growth and strategic vision, and Courtney Oliver, Director of Human Resources for the Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids and Family Group, who looks forward to bringing her resources to FSH.
Thanks to your generosity and support, our high-performing fitness and academics program is thriving! Inside these pages you’ll read many success stories: our sensational team of students competes and wins medals; a veteran student enters the Ivy League; our glamorous, record-breaking benefit, spearheaded by honorees Tina and Terry Lundgren and Sarah Hughes, attracts fashion’s elite; and our own students visit Washington, D.C. to glean wisdom from a Supreme Court Justice. Just as exciting, this season marks our 15th year, and we are poised for expansion. Thanks to the Cuomo administration, local elected and Parks officials, and our own students’ and parents’ activism, we have acquired significantly more ice time at our home rink at Riverbank State Park. This means we can take dozens of girls off of our extensive waiting list and expand enrollment by 50% to more than 225 girls annually.
Staff Notes
We are delighted to welcome our first Director of Events & Communications, Venas Matthews-Bazin. Ms. Bazin brings a wealth of experience, having worked at Time Warner, MTV, The Apollo, and, most recently, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Our own Amanda Johnson was promoted to Director of Programming and Zinnash Dean was promoted to Academic Coordinator. Skating Instructor Lena Grotticelli, who supported us last season as an Events Associate, is now our full-time Skating Program Coordinator. Finally, Suzanne Spiegoski will serve as this season’s Assistant Skating Director. FSH wishes skating instructor Hilary Dauffenback-Tabb all the very best as she enters Harvard University’s Harvard Kennedy School for Public Policy.
In addition, since moving this summer to our first Leading Edge Academic Center with the support of Scott Hamilton and the Pioneer Fund, we are able to offer our students 1/3 more time in educational enrichment classes, while also keeping them cool in the summer with our new Summer Dreams extension program. As we continue to provide more opportunities to underserved girls and aim high, greater academic and personal success will continue to follow. Today, we are deeply grateful to all of you—our donors, Board, professional staff of coaches, mentors, counselors, and educators, dedicated volunteers, and friends—for always advancing our vision to ensure that each deserving student has the foundation to achieve her dreams.
Junior Board Keeps Making it Happen The Junior Board had another exciting and prolific year as this group of 20- and 30-something skating enthusiasts worked together to support FSH. Chair Fiona Fong, Vice-Chair Megan Malone, Secretary Angela Ying, and Treasurer Stephanie Lee recruited new members, held a number of fundraisers, and provided helpful volunteers for FSH events. We are happy to report that the Junior Board raised several thousand dollars for the program this season, and we are already looking forward to their fall kickoff fundraiser. If you know a young professional who’s interested in getting involved with FSH, have them contact fiona@figureskatinginharlem.org.
Sincerely,
Sharon Cohen Candace S. Matthews Founder & Executive Director Chair, Board of Directors
Alumna Spotlight –
Sherrie Smith
Not only do 100% of FSH graduates go on to college, but they also get hired by some of the top companies in America. Alumna Sherrie Smith is one such example. After leaving FSH in 2002, she headed off to Northeastern University in Boston, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance. Sherrie is currently a Finance Controller at Goldman Sachs, and she still finds the time to remain involved in FSH. She recently spoke at a fundraiser in order to help expand the program that had such an impact on her life. “Besides mastering how to fall fearlessly, I remember all of the love that is FSH,” she said. “From the instructors to the counselors, and especially the parents, there was always someone there to help you out.” She continued, “I truly cherish the memories that I have from FSH.”
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In the Classroom
New Academic Center Keeps Students Aiming High Pioneer Fund Gifts $100K for Expanded Education
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igure Skating in Harlem is growing by leaps and bounds as we put even more girls on the leading edge of learning! This summer we opened our first Leading Edge Academic Center, a shining 2400 sq. ft. facility in Central Harlem, complete with classrooms/dance studio, computer lab, new office space, and storage for our more than 300 pairs of skates. The center, generously supported by Scott Hamilton, The Pioneer Fund (founded by the late Helen Myers McLoraine), and many of our loyal donors, is fast becoming a hub of educational and enrichment activity. Upon opening this summer, we held our first six-week Summer Dreams education and skating camp, taking full advantage of our exciting headquarters with classes in yoga, public speaking, and health to complement on-ice training.
FSH students, parents, staff, and volunteers now have a bright new home where year-round classes in financial literacy, communications, leadership, nutrition, and skating history, as well as expanded tutoring, test prep, and academic skills instruction can all take place. In this brand-new facility, middle school, high school, and college counseling will also be offered as we aim to keep 100% of our graduating seniors going on to and graduating from four-year colleges. The opening of our first computer lab allows technology to be effectively utilized in all of our students’ academic classes to bolster their skills and fire their imaginations. And we will keep standards high! With 90% of current students maintaining a B average or higher in school, we will continue to guide our well-equipped young ladies to some of the best high schools and colleges. In addition to all the academics, we offer a quiet space where girls can come to study or read when they are not in class. Our new Academic Center has not only spurred educational expansion for current students, but it has allowed us to increase our overall enrollment by 50% in the 2011-2012 program year, reducing our waiting list substantially. This year, 225 girls ages six to 18 from under-served communities in Upper Manhattan will be served annually with in-depth fitness and education. Our goal remains to ensure that each student gets the individual attention she needs to develop the critical thinking skills and physical health that will help her succeed in school and in life.
Thank you Governor Cuomo! We are extremely grateful to the Cuomo administration for working on our behalf to expand our ice time by nearly 40%! This is a victory for greater community and gender equity at our home rink at Riverbank State Park. Additional thanks go to Community Board 9, our new State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey and Upper Manhattan public officials including: New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer; Congressman Charles Rangel, New York State Assemblymen Keith L.T. Wright, Denny Ferrell, and Daniel O’Donnell; Council Members Inez Dickens, Robert Jackson, Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Ydanis Rodriguez; and New York State Senators Adriano Espaillat and Bill Perkins.
BALANCING ACT
Evan Lysacek Lectures on Time Management 2010 Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek made a special trip to Harlem to give an inspiring lecture to FSH students. He focused on the importance of time management, goal setting, and following your passion. A discussion about balancing the demands of skating and academics followed.
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In the Classroom Gold Stars Crystal Burgess won 1st place in her category—Physics—at the national NAACP Act-So competition. She took her project studying water content in volcanic magma to Los Angeles, and she brought the gold medal prize back home.
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H H H Dequanea Nealy, Florence Ngala, and Tatiana Williams attended CUNY’s Summer Law Academy with Professor Jenny Rivera. Nyasha Franklin will attend the renowned Buxton School in Williamstown, MA on a full scholarship in the fall. Sabrina Casiano was class valedictorian at her 6th grade graduation.
Skate Dreams Meiling Meets the Ivy League
“As I prepare for my next journey at Brown University,” Meiling expressed, “I will carry on the values and lessons I have gained from Figure Skating in Harlem. I hope to one day give back to this program all that it has given to me.”
Cassidy Hayslett, a first grader, earned an Excellence in Reading Award, placed in the 90th percentile on the Gifted and Talented test, and scored several grade levels above her own in her Reading and Math exams at her school.
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Jiordan Ali was selected to intern at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office this summer.
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Over nine seasons at FSH, Meiling learned to set goals on and off the ice and to never give up. Step by step, she overcame obstacles and discovered that the most important part of falling down is getting right back up and trying again. Today, Meiling has blossomed into a confident, thoughtful leader, having served as co-captain of the Synchronized Skating Team and winning numerous awards for her academic achievements.
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Meiling recalls her early days at FSH clearly. “I was quiet and shy, but very eager to learn how to figure skate. When I took my first step onto the slippery ice, little did I know that I was taking my first step in a journey that would shape me into the person I am today,” she recalls.
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Brittney Zapata scored a 100% perfect attendance record and remained on her school’s Principal List with an A average throughout the year.
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Raised in Harlem, the second oldest of four siblings, 18-year-old Meiling Jabbaar joined FSH when she was just nine years old. As part of our program, she mastered the habits of hard work and discipline. Now with her skates in hand, she will glide forward this fall and enter the freshman class at Brown University on a full-tuition scholarship.
Winter Baxter is heading off to boarding school at the prestigious Blair Academy in New Jersey.
Paula Assou and Ryan Rivera served as delegates to the UN International Year of Youth Culmination Celebration held at the United Nations headquarters.
Take the A train to Harlem 90% of FSH students met their goal of maintaining a B average or better; 25% of whom achieved an A average. These are the FSH students who maintained an A average for the 2010-2011 academic year. Amazing work! Jiordan Ali Jaize Francis Sharendalle Murga NiKaila Saunders Taylor Anderson Nyasha Franklin Katalina Nelson Thaliya Thompson Anayah Augborn Janai Garrett Maasai Newport-Davson Zenzile Tonge Zoe Bryant Kayla Hudson Caroline Panton Cheyenne Walker Tyira Bunche Kai-Alexandria Huntt Ronelle Pelissier Sole Williams Great Imani Camara Meiling Jabbaar Elenie Perez Aniya Young Job! Zerlinda Diaz-Gerloven Joyanne Joseph Anjonu Quintano Ellison Estwick Summar Lowe Layla Russell
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In the Classroom
From Surgery to the Supreme Court
Students Explore Careers in Business, Government, Law and Medicine Our annual Career Week brimmed with excitement as dozens of students peered into the future, envisioning new professional possibilities for themselves, guided by those at the very top of their game. Five of our oldest high school students— Jiordan Ali, Crystal Burgess, Bria Clark, Meiling Jabbaar, and Scarlett Jimenez—took the trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. where they met with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. In preparation for the trip, they attended a special class at Columbia University Law School with Professors Monica Wagner and Ted Shaw, where they learned about the history of the highest court in the land. Professor Shaw also shared his impressions of his former high school classmate and spoke with great pride of her journey and accomplishments. After taking a tour of the Court itself and stepping into its historic chamber, students were well prepared for a lively Q&A with Justice Sotomayor. The Justice spoke candidly about her extraordinary career and journey, the obstacles she overcame, and what propelled her deep interest in the law. Impressed by our students’ intelligence and engagement, she urged them to work very hard and to always dream big. Jiordan Ali,
16, was so inspired by the visit that she applied and was selected to intern at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office this summer. In Washington, students also visited the State Department and learned about careers in the Foreign Service. They had an informative meeting with Secretary General Nancy Powell and two other foreign service officers. That was followed by a tour of the White House, where our girls were greeted by Tina Tchen, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chief of Staff. Ms. Tchen spoke about her legal career prior to joining the White House. Finally, our students were treated to law school classes at the American University Law School. A lecture by Professor Jenny Rivera focused on the topical issues of civil rights and gender issues. Students were seated as jurors in a mock trial and were able to listen to both sides of a civil personal injury case. “Our trip to Washington D.C. was an influential learning experience,” said Crystal Burgess, 17. “Meeting so many government officials and learning about the different branches of government made me realize how much work goes into managing our country and how important it is to know your rights as a citizen.”
Back in New York City, our middle school and high school students also visited a number of diverse workplaces. A major highlight was a visit to the New York headquarters of UPS, a Fortune 500 company. Beyond the signature brown trucks with which they were already familiar, our students met with female executives in several different departments to understand what it takes to run a major corporation. Yet another group of students had the opportunity to meet with entrepreneurs right here in Harlem, including a trip to meet with the owners of Harlem Lanes, our local bowling alley. Others took a look inside the world of veterinary medicine, getting up close and personal with feathered and four-legged patients at Animal General. And finally, it would not be Career Week without FSH Board Member Dr. William King taking our students under his wing to watch him perform live surgeries at the Hospital for Special Surgery and Joint Disease. Our future FSH doctors, lawyers, local entrepreneurs, corporate titans, and yes, Supreme Court Justices, are just beginning their journeys. Thanks to the generosity of our hosts, they now have strong, personal role models to look up to and emulate.
Here We Grow Again!
Our students’ appreciation of the arts and culture grows each year, thanks to the varied field trips in which they participate. Events this season included: • • • • •
The New York City Ballet Women’s Sports Foundation Gala Dinner Broadway Show: Memphis World premiere of Rise, historic figure skating documentary Beyond the Game panel discussion on women & sports at Barnard College
• D isney on Ice presents Princess Wishes Ice show with exclusive pre-show VIP reception • The Big Apple Circus courtesy of Bloomberg • The Terry Connors Open – Synchro Competition • TaDa! Youth Theatre • Country Line Dancing class
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On The Ice
So You Think You Can Skate… Dance? Maybe. Skate? Absolutely! Our 14th annual ice show proved that more than 125 community girls, ranging in age from six to 18, can take on the real challenge: they CAN skate! Dressed in show-stopping costumes designed by Lovie Couture, all of our students from the beginners to seasoned veterans showed off their skills with flair! Their magic on the ice was witnessed by the more than 1,200 community supporters who came out to cheer them on at Riverbank State Park in Harlem in late March. Capping off a season of long practices, of falling down and getting back up, students explored different genres of dance on ice including ballet, jazz, flamenco, country, African, jive, and hip hop. Students entertained the crowd with 21 different group numbers, duets, and solos, displaying skilled moves from waltz jumps and edges to camel spins and axels. Yes, they came to perform and perform they did! The Walt Disney Company and Bernadette Longford graciously served as our title sponsor and provided a stellar group of Disney VoluntEARS who helped usher both shows. At Saturday night’s show, we paid special tribute to the New York Women’s Foundation, honoring them for their tremendous, long-standing support of our effective girls’ development program. On Sunday afternoon, FSH was extremely thrilled to receive a generous $10,000 check from UPS to support our education and skating initiatives. UPS was first introduced to FSH by student Kai-Alexandria Huntt and her very proud family.
Parents Rally for Community Skate
Weather Can’t Dampen Spirit or Support friends skate and mingle. On Saturday, February 7, our festive outdoor event, however, came with a twist… raindrops and plenty of them.
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osted by the FSH Parent Association, our annual Gwendolyn Simmons “Soul on Ice” Winter Skating Party is a popular community FUN-draiser held in Central Park where students, families, and
Still, the show went on and more than 600 members of the Harlem community, including Sonia Manzano (Maria from Sesame Street) and board member Dr. William King, braved the weather to support FSH. Together, they enjoyed great music, food, raffle prizes, and exciting exhibitions performed by our students. “The skating party was not dampened by the ‘liquid sunshine,’” said Dr. King. “It
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actually enhanced the exuberant support and cohesiveness of family, friends, and the community cheering on our young ladies who performed so well!” The weather didn’t dampen contributions either. With tickets just $15 each including skate rental, our parents raised $36,000! An additional $5,000 was raised by one student, Zjana Ray, and her mom, Mia Moore, who donated countless hours of their time in order to receive this matching gift from Mia’s employer Bloomberg! We thank Pepsi, Make My Cake Bakery, Costco, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Spoonbread Restaurant, and Fairway for their in-kind sponsorship as well as the entire community for their unwavering support.
On The Ice Feld Entertainment Rolls Out the Red Carpet FSH Is Recognized at Madison Square Garden
Synchro Team Wins Medals in Competitive Debut Preceded by months of hard work and extra practice, Harlem Ice, Figure Skating in Harlem’s own synchronized skating team, made their exciting competitive debut during the Reflections Synchro Invitational on February 19, 2011. At the Giants Center Arena in Hershey, PA, an enthusiastic crowd witnessed as Harlem Ice competed for the first time and took home the bronze medal, surpassing teams from up and down the eastern seaboard in the Open Juvenile division. World-famous live events company, Feld Entertainment, known for producing the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Feld Motor Sports, and more, welcomed over 200 members of the FSH family to the opening night of Disney on Ice presents Princess Wishes at Madison Square Garden. Our youngest girls, many of whom dressed up in princess costumes, especially enjoyed the exclusive pre-show VIP reception where they met Snow White, Ariel, Mulan, and other Disney characters, as well as Olympic Champions and FSH supporters Evan Lysacek and Sarah Hughes. As the fabulous show began, Sarah Hughes welcomed the whole audience and spoke about the impact of FSH in the community! We look forward to a “happily ever after” future with Disney on Ice and Feld Entertainment.
Skating to “Explosive” by Bond and led by co-captains Jiordan Ali and Meiling Jabbaar, this determined 12-member team performed a clean, energetic program and made a strong first impression with judges and other teams alike. With added confidence, Harlem Ice upped their game and won a silver medal in the Wallace Spring Synchronized Classic in Fitchburg, MA, just three weeks later. Judges praised them for their speed, grace, and poise. Each proud Harlem Ice teammate, ranging in age from 11 to 17, articulated to coaches last year their desire to enter competition and represent their community. To accomplish this, they were required to learn and pass their Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test in front of a USFSA judge. In addition to testing and traveling an hour and a half each way for extra ice time on Sunday nights, the team members put in time off the ice to learn and perfect the complex footwork, formations, and choreography required for their competitive program. Harlem Ice also performed at a number of exhibitions: at Wollman Rink, at World Ice Arena’s holiday show, at the One Step Closer AIDS benefit in New Jersey, and at Riverbank State Park’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The team wrapped up the season by performing at FSH’s annual ice show and at the Skating with the Stars Gala. The team already has big plans for next season, including its first trip to the Eastern Synchronized Skating Championships. In the meantime, their success has inspired the creation of a new competitive beginner 3 team of 15 younger FSH girls, who look forward to bringing home medals of their own in the upcoming season.
NEW SUMMER PROGRAM IS WAY COOL
More than 50 students kept cool this summer, skating and learning with FSH. Ten students who submitted winning essays were awarded coveted spots at the Chelsea Piers Summer Figure Skating Camp. An additional eight students traveled to upstate New York for an intensive skating experience at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center. And for the first time, FSH offered 30 students a stimulating in-house summer extension program, consisting of on-ice instruction at the City Ice Pavillion in Long Island City, Queens combined with educational classes in our new Academic Center. Public speaking, nutrition, study skills, and yoga classes rounded out a comprehensive summer experience that everyone agrees was “way cool.” These students are poised to have a leg up on becoming effective leaders and mentors in the coming season.
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Thank You! • • • •
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink Lasker Skating Rink Long Island City Ice Pavillion New York Olympic Regional Development Authority • Riverbank State Park • Skating Club of New York • Trump Wollman Rink
Skating with the Stars
Skating with the Stars
Fashion Elite Join in Honoring Tina and Terry Lundgren and Sarah Hughes
Tina and Terry Lundgren
There is simply no other way to say it: Our 2011 Skating with the Stars Gala was a resounding success…the best ever, in fact! With the dedicated help of our stellar honorees, leadership, and supporters, fundraising for our educational programs and our new Leading Edge Academic Center reached new heights!
Silas Chou, Vera Wang and Tommy Hilfiger
Michael Weiser, Karen Hoguet and Julie Weiser
Deborah Norville, Karen LeFrak, Josie Natori
Sarah Hughes and FSH students
Andrew Rosen, Neil Cole, Terry Lundgren, Silas Chou, and Kenneth Cole
Tina and Terry Lundgren and Sarah Hughes, who were honored for their longstanding, impactful support, made the red carpet and ice sparkle along with Honorary Chairs Donald and Melania Trump and Tamara Tunie. Event Chairs Maria Cuomo Cole and Kenneth Cole and Ann and Andrew Tisch, alongside Co-Chairs Allison Schneirov Fisch, Candace S. Matthews, and Teresa A. Teague, joined Vera Wang in presenting special awards to the honorees. The Star Leadership Award was presented by Reginald Van Lee to longtime supporter Lola West. More than 500 guests were joined on and off the ice by an array of world-class skating talent including: Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, Johnny Weir, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, Todd Eldredge, Timothy Goebel, Jeremy Abbott, Emily Hughes, Adam Rippon, Joannie Rochette, Lucinda Ruh, and Fumie Suguri. The evening was punctuated with two fabulous performances by Figure Skating in Harlem’s Synchronized Skating team. Tina and Terry Lundgren hosted a fabulous post-gala dinner and were joined by fashion titans Dee and Tommy Hilfiger, Lizzy and Neil Cole, Celia and Silas Chou, and Vera Wang, among others. FSH members Nyasha Franklin and Meiling Jabbaar were selected to receive FSH’s first annual Scholar Award, each receiving a $500 academic scholarship from Tina and Terry Lundgren which left a lasting image on the devoted guests and friends who came to support this most worthy event.
Tina Lundgren receives award from FSH student Tanay Davis
Allison and Steven Fisch with their children Samuel and Rebecca and Tina Lundgren
Teresa Teague, Ann and Andrew Tisch, and Candace Matthews
Danielle Monroe (student), Aliyyah Baylor, Reginald Van Lee and Lola C. West
Sarah Hughes with parents John and Amy, sister Emily and nieces
Guests with Andrea Joyce and Jeff Tweedy
Donald and Melania Trump and Evan Lysacek
Margaret Giordano, Marei von Saher, Margaret Langan, Vernaliz Co, Beth Rowley, and Sharon Cohen
Tamara Tunie, Federico Castelluccio and Yvonne Maria Schaefer
Michele, Rachel and Ross Greenburg
We give our heartfelt appreciation to Event Chairs Anne and Arnold Gumowitz, the members of the benefit committee, including the Lowey family, the board, and volunteers from Disney VoluntEARS, Macy’s and Bloomingdales for supporting our event—a celebration that raised over $600,000. Special thanks also go out to our corporate sponsors Amway, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, American Express, BNY Mellon, Citi, Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Feld Entertainment, Calvin Klein, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, Marshalls, The Nielsen Company, Peerless Clothing International, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, Ronald McDonald House of New York, Sean John, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, UPS, The Walt Disney Company and Warnaco Inc., as well as our in-kind sponsors including CooperKatz & Company, Four Seasons Resorts Costa Rica, HBO Sports, United Airlines, and S&G Sportswear.
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Harry Smith and skating fan
Jake T. Austin and guests
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Evan Lysacek signing autographs
Awards and Honors
Student Award Recipients Best Attitude Jiordan Ali Paula Assou Kailah Bonaparte Che Bryant Mone’t Bush Autumn Clark Zerlinda Diaz-Gerloven Ramia Duran Jaize Francis Kayla Hudson Meiling Jabbaar Kiemyn Lopez Caroline Panton Thaliya Thompson Tiya Williams
Lasting Memories
Students Take Home Awards Over four hundred members of the Figure Skating in Harlem family gathered on May 7th at Riverside Church to celebrate our girls’ successes at the annual Denise Hicklin Awards Ceremony. Dressed in their finest, our students performed their own poetry, gave speeches, and received awards for their accomplishments throughout the year (see list of winners right). Following are excerpts from a speech by graduating senior and Cup of Life winner Bria Clark (pictured center). Bria and her mother Brigida have been exceptional members of FSH for 11 years! In fact, they have been instrumental in helping to grow, shape, and lead the program to where it is today. We are tremendously grateful for all of their contributions and the legacy they are leaving. “Good evening. My name is Bria Clark and I have been a member of Figure Skating in Harlem for 11 years. I have learned eleven songs, worn eleven costumes, and skated with hundreds of girls throughout my time here. I have learned how to be a teammate, a friend, and a leader. Out of all of the lessons that could summarize my time here and explain my accomplishments, the most outstanding is self-assuredness… We all have exhibited this selfassuredness the first time we stepped out onto the ice. No matter how unsure or afraid we may have been, we did it. We fell, we got up, checked if we were safe, we did it again, and a light within me flickered. The women in this program have given me the safety and the room to grow and have faith in myself, even when it wasn’t popular. When I was little, I wrote a letter to Ms. Sharon explaining how unfair it was to still be stuck with the eight- and nine-year-olds. A couple of other ten-year-olds that felt the same signed the letter. We were changed the following week. This is my earliest memory of the power of truly being self-assured. Ms. Jaki always said: ‘If you don’t think highly of yourself, no one else will,’ and those simple words saved me, especially in my school. It was important for me to make a mark in each of my classes as the hard-working, deserving student, not just as the only black girl in the room. FSH has helped to groom me into being independent. The many trips and solo bus rides to Chelsea Piers, the first trips without mommy on the train to Lake Placid, and the plane to the Power Girls Conference in Atlanta helped to teach me that I could make smart decisions on my own. This year, I am choosing among four-year colleges…” Bria Clark has chosen to attend Virginia State University this fall.
Most Improved Anayah Augborn Mame Boye Kemisa Doumbia Yezabeth Duran Christie-Iris Edwards Janai Garrett Shayna Gattis Gabrielle Holder Melodi Jones Eliyah McKayle Maasai Newport-Davson Ryan Rivera NiKaila Saunders Aryel Thompson Tatiana Williams Perfect Attendance Olivia Alexander Hydeia Bernard Tanay Davis Cassidy Hayslett Kai-Alexandria Huntt Destiny Moore Eliyah McKayle Maya Miller Taylor Paige StarAsia Smith Alexah Tonge Zenzile Tonge Solé Williams Aniya Young Amina Potts Perfect Attendance and Punctuality Tiffany Delvalle Joyanne Joseph
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Teamwork Award Paula Assou Kolby Couch Bria Culpepper Tanay Davis Aniya Edwards Ryan Rivera NiKaila Saunders StarAsia Smith Sandra Williams Kennedy Best Communicator Award Christie-Iris Edwards Student of the Year Award Ryan Rivera Gene Kitt Citizenship Award Crystal Burgess Meiling Jabbaar Cup of Life Award Bria Clark Meiling Jabbaar Scarlett Jimenez Staff Appreciation Award Trudy A. Stallings Arnold Cohen Parent Volunteer Award Denise Tutt Volunteer of the Year Award Fiona Fong Karen Markham Summer Camp Scholarships Lake Placid Paula Assou Crystal Burgess Tanay Davis Eliyah McKayle Maya Miller Zjana Ray Ryan Rivera NiKaila Saunders Chelsea Piers Taylor Anderson Anayah Augborn Ellison Estwick Michaela Joseph Amiri Lathen Sage Mendoza Taharie Murga Caroline Panton Thaliya Thompson Shamyah Williams
Awards and Honors And Still I RISE Thanks to our strong partnership with US Figure Skating, 50 FSH students had the opportunity to attend the worldwide premiere of the film Rise, a historic documentary commemorating the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Team which was tragically lost in an airplane crash. The star-studded evening, hosted by Matt Lauer in Times Square, featured a discussion with skating legends such as Scott Hamilton, Dorothy Hamill, Brian Boitano, and Michelle Kwan.
Japanese Media & Researchers Focus on FSH This year, FSH hosted two exciting visits from Japanese guests curious about our program. NHK Japan Television created a four-minute feature about our program through the lens of 13-year old student Eliyah McKayle and her family. It was so popular in Japan that the feature ran again all across Asia on NHK World. In addition, 20 researchers and scholars from a prestigious Tokyo university toured the FSH program as a way to learn about successful social entrepreneurship in the U.S. They identified FSH as an innovative model program and were thrilled to see our girls and staff in action. The Skating with the Stars gala was also featured in a stunning 2-page spread in Japan’s World Figure Skating Magazine.
Ryan Rivera Steps Up as Student of the Year Figure Skating in Harlem annually acknowledges one student who exemplifies teamwork, leadership, academic excellence, and overall active participation in the program by giving them the Student of the Year Award. Ryan Rivera not only met but exceeded these expectations during the 2010-2011 season, making her our staff’s choice for this prestigious honor.
Student Spotlight – Scarlett Jimenez Scarlett Jimenez is a veteran FSH skater and straight-A student. Perfecting her skills on the ice since the age of 9, she is now a proud high school graduate and has accepted a full engineering scholarship to Lafayette College. As a leader and mentor, Scarlett made tremendous contributions to the FSH Synchronized Skating Team. “I have learned that many exciting and wonderful opportunities exist, and Figure Skating in Harlem has been the bridge and support that connects me to these opportunities,” said Scarlett while accepting her Urban Hero Award in 2009. We are so proud of you, Scarlett, and we wish you continued success on your journey.
“Ryan is responsible, focused, and truly understands what it means to be part of a team. She sets her goals high for her skating, for her studies, and for her future, both at FSH and beyond,” said Founder and Executive Director Sharon Cohen. Ryan was an alternate on FSH’s first competitive synchronized skating team, and she was always supportive of her teammates and willing to step up when needed. Her dedication and focus then led to her a spot as a full member of the team for the 2011-2012 season. Ryan earned the Most Improved Award from the synchro team and received a scholarship to attend summer camp in Lake Placid for the second year in a row.
Media Matters
FSH was featured in numerous media outlets this season, including: • Barnard Magazine • Caribbean Life • CBS News • El Diario • Entertainment Tonight • Fox News • Harlem News • Ice Network • New York 1 • New York Amsterdam News • New York Daily News
Paddy Kennedy Speak Up! Award Debuts For the first time this year, Figure Skating in Harlem honored an outstanding student public speaker with the Paddy Kennedy Best Communicator Award. This award is given in honor of Paddy Kennedy, former FSH public speaking teacher and creator of our Speak Up! curriculum. This year’s best communicator acknowledgment went to 14-year-old Christie-Iris Edwards. An eight-year veteran of FSH, Christie-Iris is known for her quiet leadership and powerful poetry.
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• New York Social Diary • NHK World • Skating Magazine • The New York Beacon • The New York Times • The Today Show • Universal Sports • Women’s Wear Daily • World Figure Skating Magazine • WPIX Channel 11… and others!
Our Foundation of Support Feld Entertainment Allison Schneirov Fisch & Steven Fisch Gregory Galdi Annie Goodman Anne & Arnold Gumowitz Dee & Tommy Hilfiger The Hyde and Watson Foundation Calvin Klein Elaine & Ken Langone Lucinda E. Knuth Charitable Gift Fund Marshalls Milly by Michelle Smith New York City Department of Youth and Community Development The New York Community Trust Mildred Anna Williams Fund The Nielsen Company Regina Parimi Peerless Clothing International The Philadelphia Foundation Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation Ronald McDonald House of New York Sean John Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer Teresa & Paul Teague UPS Foundation Julianne & Scott Wagner The Walt Disney Company Warnaco Inc. Women’s Sports Foundation Go Girl Go! Zegar Family Foundation
Donor Spotlight – UPS Executive Director Sharon Cohen, FSH student Kai-Alexandria Huntt, and Moises Huntt accepted a $10,000 check from UPS’ Laura James, East Coast Region Community Relations Manager, at the Ice Show. FSH is extremely grateful to UPS for their generous gifts and sponsorship, not to mention their inspiring participation in this year’s Career Week programming.
Our foundation of support
We are tremendously grateful for the generous support from:
50,000 and up
$
The New York Women’s Foundation The Pioneer Fund
25,000-$49,999
$
Altman Foundation The Carl Marks Foundation The Catalog For Giving Maria Cuomo Cole and Kenneth Cole Macy’s & Bloomingdale’s Miriam and Arthur Diamond Charitable Trust Ann & Andrew Tisch
1,000-$4,999
$
Amy Abbott Tim Adams Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn Amy Ayres Phillip Azzollini, Esq. Bank of America Aliyyah Baylor Christine & Philip Benanti Stacey Bendet Eisner Vivian & Stanley Bernstein Louise & Vince Camuto Joyce Chang Con Edison Conte Family Annette & Peter Corbin Vera Dauffenbach & Wilfred Tabb EiHFanForum Alicia Ernst & John Katzman
15,000-$24,999
$
Amway Bloomberg Goldman Sachs Heisman Trophy Trust Helena Rubinstein Foundation JE & ZB Butler Foundation Ellen & Douglas Lowey, Jillian Lowey Michael Picotte
5,000-$14,999
$
American Express BNYMellon The Charles Henry Leach, II Foundation Celia & Silas Chou Citi City of New York Parks and Recreation Lizzy & Neil Cole Columbia Community Service Becky Crouse Michael DelPorte Council Member Inez E. Dickens, 9th C.D., Speaker Christine Quinn and the New York City Council Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Thank You Macy’s and Rocawear! Everyone at FSH thanks Macy’s and Rocawear for partnering together and once again providing team warm-up suits for each and every FSH student.
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Our Foundation of Support Barbara & Meyer Feldberg Figure Skating in Harlem Junior Board The Finegan Family Fitzgerald + CO The Foundation for Global Sports Development The Frederick Loewe Foundation Judy Gallent & Scott Metzner Dr. & Mrs. Antonio M. Gotto Rick Granados Julie Greiner & Michael Weiser Agnes Gund HBO Valerie Held The Heyman Family Fund Karen & David Hoguet The Huxley Family John Idol Lisa & Donald Jackson Council Member Robert Jackson, 7th C.D. Andrew A. Jacono, M.D., F.A.C.S. Andrea Joyce & Harry Smith Alexa Kamen Susan Kittenplan & Scott Fulmer Gabia Konce Barry & Christina Kringstein Stacie Young Krinsky & Glenn Krinksy Meg Langan & Evan Ladouceur Brian Lattman Larry Leeds Karen & Richard Lefrak Michael Levine Loida Nicolas Lewis Amanda & Tom Lister Mackay/Thorpe Family Michelle Maiter Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Fund Rick Martin Massey Knakal Charitable Foundation Candace Matthews Sherman & Christopher Meloni Richard Monti & Family Suna Murray Josie & Ken Natori Jeanette & Joe Neubauer The Nickel Family Susan & Marvin Numeroff Fareedah Nuri Robin Parkes Betsey & Edward Pick Polo Ralph Lauren The Prescott Fund For Children And Youth Robin Quivers Michael Rogan Beth & David Rothenberg Jane Schneirov & Andrew Kronenberg Stanley Shopkorn Speyer Family Foundation Liz Stern Lise Strickler & Mark Gallogly
Hope Turock U.S. Figure Skating Association Lisa Vanacore VF Sportswear Vitale-Biro Family Mary Ellen & Karl Von der Heyden Robin Wagner Wendy Walker Vera Wang Lisa & Lewis Warren Dawn West
500-$999
$
Anonymous Ariel Investments Armand Arman Bank of America United Way Campaign Tanith Belbin Nicholas Benton Berlin Rosen Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Katherine Bristor & William Priest Brian Burke Madeline & Thomas J. Burrell Elizabeth & Jay Chandler Charles Scribner Fund Sharon Cohen Michael Colantuono Jennifer Crawford Ray Dalio Dorothy Rebecca Davies & Jeremy Kramer Kathleen Decker Sue Delanerolle Sarah Fargo Lisa Fields Jane Fiore Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. Georgia & Ron Frasch Lori & Eric Friedman Ann & Richard Fudge Brooke & Edward Garden Debbie Gordon Eric Grabino Michele & Ross Greenburg Janet Grove Ellen, Richard, & Lanie Halpern HaeRan Han Shantie Harkisoon Nancy Herrmann Jo Lynne & David Johnson Anne Keating Ann Kershner Kathleen & Francis Kiernan Karin & Paul Kingsley Julia & Rona Kirsh Debbie & Mark Kosinski Lee Llambelis & Ellis Cose Mr. & Mrs. François Maisonrouge Susan & Greg Milmoe Marilyn Monter
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David Moore Craig Morelli Liz & Gregory Myers Alexander Navab Craig Overlander Susan Paolercio & Elena Paolercio Nina & Christopher Parker Mindy Perlmutter Timothy Pfeifer Pascal Pinson Tracey Riese Robert & Jane Harrison Family Foundation Robyn Roth-Moise & David Moise Mary Jo Rubino Stephen Sadove Myron Shevell Tony Spring Nancy Streeter Fusako Suzuki Martha & William Sword Eric & Jan Woglom Amy & Tom Wolf, The MAT Charitable Trust Erin Wolf Joey Yao Tim Youngsworth
up to $499
Sil Lai Abrams DeJuanna Adams Leslie Adams Aetna Foundation Thomas Armstrong AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign Candida Aversenti Elizabeth & Steven Ayres Laura Bald Denise Beaumont Amy Beier Janet Dewart Bell & Derrick Bell Judith Benitez Jennifer Bensch Shirley Berkowitz Cordia Beverly Daphne & Gary Bloore Carol Blumm Sheila Boston Judith Breidbart Jeffrey Brick RenĂŠe & Tom Brodie Odiney Brown Sally Butler The Byer Family Sara Cakebread Jennifer Calvert Serena Chew Susan Chun Nancy Clark Vernaliz Co
Our Foundation of Support Brooke Cohen Sharleen Cooper Cohen Melanie & Howard Cook Sylvia & Charles Covino Frederick Cox Mary Crispin Mary Dandrea Reverend Jacques Andre DeGraff Bridget Demouy Mildred Dennis Pat Derousie-Webb & Robb Webb Willamina Diaz-Gerloven Joyce & David Dinkins John Donnelly Ellen & Stephen Dubner John Duck Howard Duong Barbara Eades Violet & J. Christopher Eagan Roy Eappen Beverly Ehrlich Mary English Norman Faria Toni Fay Rachel Feder Finish Line Youth Foundation Allyson & Jonathan Fischer Mike Fogarty S. Michael Free Ian Fuller FX Concepts, LLC G.A.B. Associates Insurance Brokers Inc. Louis Gagliano & Stefan Handl Victoria Garwood Tracy Gaskins-Bermiss Mary Ellen Geisser Ruby Gelman & Shimon Shkury Martin Gilliard Susan & Tony Gilroy Tiffany Glenn Colleen Goujjane Michael Gould Greater Green Bay Figure Skating Club Keith Green Marguerite Greene Ann Greenthal Samuel Guillory Allison Guttu Ken Hadall Stacey Hadash Dorothy Hamill Richard Hanley Todd Harkrider Iris Harrison Mary Hauck Peggy Hazard Anne & Scott Heekin-Canedy Alicia & Leon Henderson Wendy Hilliard Amy & Samuel Liam Hodman
Valerie & Jim Hoffman Margo Holliday Lolita Hoover Howard L. Ellin Charitable Fund of The New York Community Trust David Hughes Ira and Julie Cohen Charitable Foundation Philip Jack Lily Jaffie-Shupe Joanne & Gregory Jamrosz Adina Johnson & Stephanie Devane Wilma & Aldie Johnson Jaya Kanal Rochelle Kaplan Nancy Kass Amy & Aaron Katz Kate Keller Gail & Stephen Kittenplan Caitlin Klingbeil The Koffman Family Donna Kreeger Michael Kremen Jill & Michael Kuller Ilene Landress Donald Lanier Jill Lanier Diana Lee Bree Lehman Sara Lenet Brian Lesser Valery Levine Morris Levy Lisa & Saul Locker Marianne Lynn Benjamin Mandel Doreen Martinez Shari Mason William McCallum Jeanine Meyers Rick Miller Judith & Mark Minter B.S. Mitchell Bonnie Monte Susan Montgomery Alberta Morgan Paul Mullins Sarah Pacheco Najarian Rachel Nash Rhonda North NYC Soccer Academy Corp. Kate Heller O’Reilly Gregory Page Kate Passow Lilli-Marie Pavka Barbara Lynn Pedersen Barbara Peyton Elena Pipko Roseann Pittakas Chris Pollok Eleanor Polson
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Phokion Potamianos Kathy & Gillian Presto Jane Quinn Leslie & Andrei Rebarber Marylou Reiff Hillary Roberts Joyce Roche Kathryn Rodgers Donald Rose Rianna Rosenberg Robert Rosenbluth Beth D.L. Rowley Myrna Ruskin Jeffrey Russell Vic Russo Elizabeth Sackler Diane Samuelsen Lawrence Satterfield Patricia Sawyer Todd Schaub The Schein Family Susan Scherr William Schmid Eric Schorr M. Lynn Shaftel Noah Shaftel Patricia & Michael Shannon Kenneth Shelley Deborah Shulman Lowery Stokes Sims The Smith Family SNR Denton The Stebbins Family Jephtha & David Tausig-Edwards Jennie Thompson & John Stellebotte William Thompson Tian The Tilson Family Time Inc. Time to Give Back Campaign Melissa Torres-Gallegos & Jody Gallegos Kristi Tortorella Bernadette Treacy Sarah & Christopher Treanor Linda Trembicki & Grande Bucca Karen & Michael Van Horn Edith Van Slyck Jennifer Vicinie Marei Von Saher Stacey & Jeffrey Weber David Wess Gina & Louis Wetstein Marilyn Wilhelm Linda Wimberly Martha Withington & John Kelsey Audrey Woods Amy Worrell Linda Yanchuck Mary Yelenick Angela Ying Shirley Zamora & Jeffrey Barrett
Our Foundation of Support Zog Sports
In Kind
15 East 19 Entertainment American Girl Amway Tanith Belbin Bloomberg Bradford Portraits Ryan Bradley Bravo Carolina Medical Rehabilitation Frederico Castelluccio Chelsea Piers Andy Cohen CooperKatz & Company, Inc. Costco Countess LuAnn de Lesseps Disney on Ice
Disney Worldwide Outreach Dunkin Donuts Elite Island Resorts Fairway Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica Half Price Books Chelsea Handler HBO Sports Heisman Trophy Trust Iconix Jackson/Ultima Judy Schiller Photography Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Live With Regis and Kelly The London New York City Lovie Couture Evan Lysacek Macy’s & Bloomingdale’s Make My Cake Olympic Regional Development Authority
Peanut Butter & Co. Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of New York Rao’s Rocawear SG Sportswear Ramona Singer Skaters Landing The Skating Club of New York Spoonbread Starbucks Toqueville Transpack Trump National Golf Club U.S. Figure Skating Association United Airlines Up2Us Vera Bradley Foundation Johnny Weir Charlie White Kristi Yamaguchi
Figure Skating in Harlem’s Team Honorary Board of Directors Tai Babilonia Dick Button Dorothy Hamill Scott Hamilton Sarah Hughes Debi Thomas, M.D. Board of Directors Candace S. Matthews, Chair Teresa Teague, Vice Chair Phillip Azzollini, Treasurer Brenda Lovie, Secretary Sharon Cohen Allison Schneirov Fisch William L. King, M.D., P.C. Margaret Langan Julianne Wagner Wendy Walker, Esq. Tamara Tunie, Chair Emerita Advisory Board G. Stephanie Ali Tanith Belbin Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell Liz Cho Stanley Gleaton Timothy Goebel Susan Kittenplan Alexandra Levin Bernadette Longford Tina Lundgren Evan Lysacek Lynn Plage
Jayson Salomon Susan L. Taylor Robin Wagner Mary Wilson Susan I. Wright
Holly Hester-Reilly Raegan Johnston Alison McKeown Meredith Paddock Kelly Sager Rachel Shaftel Katie Shuman
Staff Sharon Cohen Founder & Executive Director Trudy Anita Stallings Director of Development Venas Matthews-Bazin Director of Events & Communications Amanda Johnson Director of Programming Zinnash Dean Academic Coordinator Krystal Hall-Glass Program Manager Lena Grotticelli Program Coordinator Domenique Zuber Grants Associate
Education Staff Bernice DeAbreu Dean of Students Jaki George, Social Worker Diana Almestica Andrea Bellissimo Itina Bivens Zinnash Dean Joanie Johnson Rachel Johnson Hilda Pacheco Gregory Pierce Yvonne Estrada Mike Suppe Lisa Torres Althea Vega Alicia Wade S. Elaine White
Skating Staff Amy Luebke, Skating Director Suzanne Spiegoski, Assistant Skating Director Carrie Cohen Hilary Dauffenbach-Tabb Ashley Duenas Rachel Greenburg Lena Grotticelli
Student Interns Bria Clark Meiling Jabbaar Scarlett Jimenez
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Volunteers McKenzie Bolt Joselyn Bennett Joy Ciarcia-Levy Rebecca Davis Kristen Dayton Alexandra Duisberg Rachel Feder Fiona Fong Kristen Gerringer Amy Hodman Alex Jacoby Rebecca Jennings Arden Kreeger Grace Lee David Lovegreen Jillian Lowey Karen Markham Kendyl Murtaugh Megan Noonan Severina Ostrovsky Rianna Rosenberg Hannah Ryan Cinda Scott Vanessa Voltolina Angelo Watler Newsletter Jennifer Niederhoffer, Editor Jeanine Davis, Art Director Photography: John Aquino, Greg Partanio, Judy Schiller, Will Schneekloth, Carol Seitz
361 West 125th Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10027 www.figureskatinginharlem.org
Teamwork, Leadership, Character
What can you build on a foundation of ice? Our vision is to empower every young girl with the foundation to achieve her dreams. She will be a powerful speaker, an effective leader, live a healthy lifestyle, and be a global citizen. Please help us by making your tax-deductible contribution today.
2012 UPCOMING EVENTS – CELEBRATING 15 YEARS
Soul on Ice Winter Skating Party Saturday, February 4th at Lasker Rink, Central Park
Annual Ice Show Late March – Date TBD at Riverbank State Park
Skating with the Stars Benefit Gala Monday, April 2nd at Trump Wollman Rink, Central Park
Awards Banquet Early May – Date TBD at Riverside Church
Yes! I’d like to become a friend of Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) at the level of: l $2,500 Olympian l $1,000 World Champion l $500 Gold Medalist $ l 250 Silver Medalist l $100 Bronze Medalist l $50 Competitor l $Other_______
Name
l My/Our check for $__________ is enclosed, payable to Figure Skating in Harlem. l Please charge $__________ to my: l Amex l Visa l MasterCard l Discover
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Please send all contributions to: Figure Skating in Harlem, 361 W. 125th Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10027
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