FSCLA Members Newsletter August 2021

Summer is coming to a close but we still have lots of fun stuff in store. Holiday Show preparation is almost upon us and we have dates, times, and deadline info for you all. Our new Skater of the Month is lunging us into August. There is some new requirements for club members and their parents. Read on to find out what's going on and what's new this month!

Skater of the Month
In Skating This Month
News
Birthdays
Quotes

Skater of the Month

Carlie Ellis

Age: 17 years old

Level: Freestyle 1

Hometown: Natchez, MS

Coach: Jodi Boise

How I Got Started: I always thought figure skating looked beautiful, so I really wanted to try it out. I skated for the first time during Christmas vacation around 5 years ago and immediately fell in love. I wasn't able to start learning though until about a year ago.

Hobbies: I like to make art, usually digital. I also enjoy playing video games like Beat Saber and Super Hot.

Favorite Element(s): A bit boring, but I really like backward crossovers. They're fun to do. I also love hydroblading, even though I can't do it myself yet, it's fun to watch other people do it.

Favorite Skater(s): Yuzuru Hanyu and Nathan Chen are two of my favorites. Laura Russinsky is also one of my favorites. Her programs are always so fun to watch.

Goals: My main goal in ice skating is to learn more and have fun. It's a broad goal, but I skate because it makes me happy, so I don't necessarily have a specific goal in mind.

In Skating This Month

Beijing '22 Winter Olympic Games

On February 4, 2022 the best winter athletes in the world will gather in Beijing for the Olympic Winter Games. Yuzuru Hanyu is a favorite to win a third consecutive Olympic title, being the reigning champ in men's singles. We may even see him attempt, and possibly land, his quadruple Axel. Russia's Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, known as the triple Axel-jumping "Empress" is attempting to make the Olympic team. Pairs team Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov seem to be the favorites among international judges. Each governing body must select their teams, though many have not finished selection yet, and they each get three spots to fill. With the Winter Games only 6 months away, there's still time for teams to be selected, and for all of us to get even more excited to watch it all unfold.

News

SafeSport Training

The U.S. Figure Skating SafeSport Program provides resources for members and clubs to identify abuse and misconduct, steps to reduce it and response procedures. USFS is asking for all skating families to complete the SafeSport Training Program. This is to make sure that all members are provided a safe environment to participate in their sport in an atmosphere that is free of harassment and abusive practices. Skaters 13 and up, as well as any parent who volunteers for club activities, will need to log into their USFS or Learn to Skate portal and take the Training. It only takes 30-45 minutes and is free. USFS has also developed policies for its member clubs to help them address misconduct if it occurs, reduce, monitor and govern areas where potential misconduct could occur. For more information on USFS's SafeSport policy, the SafeSport handbook, and athlete protection plocies and more, visit USFigureSkating.org/SafeSport.

Volunteer Hours

Having parents and skaters volunteer their time and skills to assist the club helps things run smoothly. Without all of your help, we would not be able to do many of the current, and future, activities. Starting this skating season (2021-22) all club members and their parents must complete a certain number of volunteer hours per season. This applies to all skaters and their parents. If you cannot or do not want to participate in a club activity, you can pay someone to fill in for you. If you choose that route, the person filling in for you must be SafeSport certified before they can complete the volunteer hours. Any member family that does not complete their hours by the end of the season will need to pay the club $100. We will speak more about this at the meetings for the Holiday Show (see below). FSCLA and your family can do greats things, as long as we work together.

Holiday Show

It's time to start thinking about the Annual Holiday Show! To ensure that shows are trouble-free and stay organized, the Show Committee will hold meetings to hand out informational packets to all interested skaters and their parents. They will be held on Saturday 8/28 and Monday 8/30, after Learn to Skate. All skaters who are even thinking about performing in the Show must attend at least one meeting. Since all info for the Show will be given out at these meetings, if you do not attend one you will not be permitted to perform in the 2021 Holiday Show. Below are some of the dates and deadlines concerning the Show. There will be more info handed out at the meetings, though.

Date of Show: 12/4/2021 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 am
Group Practices Start: Saturday 10/23 @ 9 am
Decoration Day: Saturday 10/23 @ 11 am
Dress Rehearsal: Saturday 11/20 @ 7 am

We hope you will all join us in participating in this years' Holiday Show!

Mask Mandate

U.S. Figure Skating has updated its mask policy. The revised policy recognizes the new evidence outlined by the CDC for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the Delta variant currently circulating the United States. Masks are required to be worn indoors by ALL people (included vaccinated people) attending any Learn to Skate approved performances, Compete USA events, and USFS events or activities, despite local, state or facility policies. Exceptions: Athletes currently on the ice; Warming up outside; Management is not required to ask for proof of vaccination as a condition of participation in the event or activity; Directors and instructional staff are responsible for overall Health and Safety plan and event medical coverage. USFS's COVID resources can be found at https://www.usfigureskating.org/coronavirus.

Birthday Card

The Figure Skating Club of Louisiana would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to:

Zoey Lanclos (8/8)

Kristina Breaux (8/8)

Eddy Alvarez is one of only 3 people to compete and medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. In 2020, the 2014 U.S. Olympic speed skater and silver medalist defied the odds and made his Major League Baseball Debut for his hometown Miami Marlins. He's got his first pair of skates at the age of 5 and fell in love, and says that baseball is in his blood.

"I don't think anyone should be put into a box nor should you allow yourself to be put into that box. I had a thrill for speed, but I also had complete admiration for and passion for baseball, so those decisions were hard. I loved each sport individually. I was just blessed to have the ability to choose which one I was going to do at one time. Do things that make you happy. If there's something in your life that you feel like you need to chase, chase it." - Eddy Alvarez