The Niverville Skating Club celebrated the end of its second season with the annual Achievement Night at the Niverville Arena on Friday, March 10. The theme was “movin’ and groovin’”.
The club boomed this year with 65 CanSkaters, 13 CanPower Skaters, 15 Adult CanSkaters, and four Star Skaters who also started learning synchro skating, a new program in Niverville this year.
On Achievement Night, all the skaters hit the ice to showcase their newly learned skills in front of family, friends, and the community. Special guest skater Cynthia Kote, from the La Broquerie Skating Club, performed a solo. The 16-year-old has already passed her Junior Bronze dance, Senior Bronze dance, and Senior Bronze free skate. Other solo performances included local skaters Miquaela Olatundun (Star 3) and Elizabath Huddleston (Star 2).
The synchro skaters debuted their very first performance, which led to an invitation for them to perform at the Morris Skating Club Ice Show as guest skaters.
“We are so proud of them,” says Niverville Skating Club board member Leslie Bardal. “And a special thanks to the Morris Skating Club for the use of the matching yellow dresses.”
Bardal was impressed to see just how far the skaters in the various programs have improved over the course of one year. “Many of them could barely stay standing in November. With an increased level of confidence, and the encouragement of a great coach and program assistants, they were able to demonstrate speed, agility, control, and balance.”
Two awards were given out: CanSkater of the Year and CanSkate Champion. Sara Desmarais was named CanSkater of the Year for her tremendous development and love for the sport. Isabella Raftis was recognized as the CanSkate Champion. This was Raftis’s first year in CanSkate, and she completed the first three stages this season.
“[Sara] always came dressed for figure skating and developed a true passion for the sport,” Bardal says.
All the board members would like to thank Coach Meghan Rafferty for her skill, patience, and encouragement throughout the season, along with all the volunteer assistants and parents who helped on and off the ice.
