Want to see humanity at its finest? Simply refer to the photo to the left. Any of these bright, promising kids could grow up to become the next Boitano or Yamaguchi. Barring that, they may become something almost just as impressive as an Olympic gold medalist: an Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader.
“Every kid has their own goals for figure skating,” said Shelby Hagedorn, Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club (EPFSC) coaching director. “As coaches, it’s our job to learn what each one wants from the sport. A fun activity to share with friends? An intense passion that will take them to competitions? Wherever their ambition lies, we’ll show them the way forward.
“And we’ll treat them to a happy, rewarding childhood while we’re at it. Figure skating helps children grow in every right way. Grace. Athleticism. Confidence. The psychological fortitude to pick yourself up after you’ve fallen down. Figure skating teaches kids to believe in themselves, and to have a whole lot of fun while they’re at it.”
“Figure skating certainly taught my own daughter resilience,” said Meg Villarreal, EPFSC board president. “Judging is relatively subjective at lower-level competitions. Whereas one judge might place a premium on power or artistry, another might favor skaters who showcase the best technique. It may sound capricious, but it puts healthy pressure on kids to develop well-rounded skills, and to meet challenges head-on and keep charging ahead.
“The EPFSC is a group effort: the kids, their parents and other family members, the coaches and volunteers, and anyone in our community who attends our live shows. We’re hugely thankful to everyone who came out to Dreamworld on Ice, our Barbie-inspired show last March, and hope you’ll check out our upcoming performances on EdenPrairieFSC.org.”
Do you believe you (or your child) could become the next Dorothy Hamill? There will be classes for all ages during summer skate school at the Eden Prairie Community Center. Registration starts June 5th at EdenPrairie.org.