Skaters dazzle at show

For eight-year-old Kalem and seven-year-old Kallie Diabo, one of the biggest things to remember when heading to the rink is which skates to bring.

The two are fierce on the ice during hockey games, darting around with laser focus. On other evenings, they’re at figure skating practice, blowing the audience away with their dedication to graceful routines that are full of personality.

Their mother, Rebecca Scott, said that commitment to their sport was especially clear at the 31st annual figure skating show hosted by the Kahnawake Figure Skating Club (KFSC) last weekend, which this year saw 90 skaters share routines with the theme “One Hit Wonders.”

“Overall, I was left speechless,” said Scott. “You watch these kids go from not knowing how to skate, to zooming around all over.”

Kallie planned to surprise her mother with her performance, since her father had taken her to her practices throughout the season.

“The whole number really awed me, just watching how far she’s come with certain things,” Scott said. “How much confidence she’s gained in herself is super rewarding as a parent.”

Kalem performed a solo to the song “Cotton Eye Joe,” an opportunity that he was ecstatic to be given by his coach, Bethany Douglas, who Scott said has gone above and beyond to make all the children feel special and supported.

Alongside coach Kimberly Cross, who Scott said was always giving pep talks and encouragement after hard practices, Douglas helped Kalem and all the other skaters shine at the show.

“I did love when he took his cowboy hat off and swung it around,” Scott said. “He had the biggest smile on his face.”

Kalem said his favourite moment was performing his solo. He said it was nerve-wracking when he fell during the waffle jump part of his routine, but his preparation ensured he wasn’t hurt. Kallie said she loved skating to the song “Kung Fu Fighting.”

“I liked the outfit a lot, it’s nice,” she said.

Many parents gave their time to ensure everything ran smoothly, including John J. Rice, who volunteered to operate one of the spotlights. His 13-year-old daughter Emma-Lee Rice skated to “The Rhythm of the Night” and “Groove is in the Heart.”

“It was a proud moment for sure, she worked so hard, and to see her smile on the ice let me know it all paid off,” John said.

Emma-Lee had taken up figure skating to improve her skating before planning to start hockey next year, but after the show decided she wants to dedicate herself more to figure skating instead.

“My favourite part of the routine was the spins and spirals we did all together, it was so fun,” she said. “When it was our turn, it felt so good, I was so nervous but it went away once we started.”

Emma-Lee’s mother, Jessica Bush was also in the audience cheering her on.

“I saw her smiling really brightly,” Bush said. “I was so proud, I felt joy to see her, because when she started, she didn’t know what to expect, and it ended up to be something really great and now she loves it.”

Laurie Montour, who is the mother of coach Douglas, volunteered at the merchandise table on the day, and also got a chance to see the skaters perform.

“Overall, the show was amazing, they continue to amaze and dazzle, and it’s just amazing to see how they progress from the time that they’re starting, learning how to skate, to now,” Montour said. “I had a lump in my throat watching a few of them.”

Montour is a grade one teacher at Kateri School, and said it was a special experience to see some of her young students on the ice, including Kallie.

“It was so cool to see them in a different atmosphere than the classroom and in the hallways,” she said. “They were on the ice, shining, doing their best and just having a great time.”

After putting on another impressive show, the coaches, volunteers, and skaters of KFSC are ready to take a well-deserved break before starting it all over again for next year.

“Kahnawake has some very talented kids,” Scott said.

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