MARYSTOWN, N.L. — It was a mix of joy and sorrow for members of the Ice Crystal Skating Club in Marystown who performed their annual ice show.
For eight members of the club the April 14 show at the Kaetlyn Osmond Arena marked their final performance with the skating club.
Alyssa Dominie, Julia Foote and Sarah Stone are among the skaters graduating the program this season.
Stone, who has been with the program 13 years, said while preparing for the show there was little time to reflect on it being her last one with the club. She said that moment came just before going onto the ice.
“Before we did it they were reading out stuff about us,” she explained. “I think that was the hardest part … while they were reading it I was like … I don’t want it to be my last one.”
For the graduating skaters the show didn’t just mark the end of their time with the Ice Crystals, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
“Of all the goodbyes we have this year, this is our first one,” said Julia Foote, who graduates from Marystown Central High School this year.
Foote, who has been with the club since moving to Marystown five years ago, said she has made a lot of new friends through skating.
“It’s a completely different group of people than what you would be with in school,” she said. “It’s a different type of bond, it’s unexplainable.”
Through skating she has the opportunity to interact with skaters of all ages.
All three say being part of the group has given them skills they can take far beyond the ice.
“It gives you a sense of independence,” said Foote. “It’s an individual sport, where with everything else you’re working with a team.”
Dominie added she also developed as sense of dedication, thanks to the sport.
Although they have finished with skating at the local level, all three say they have not ruled out future involvement with it.
“I think I would do CANskate,” explained Stone, who volunteered with the local program for seven years.
All agree helping younger skaters getting into the program was a rewarding experience.
“It’s really heartwarming to be able to see kids love a sport that you love just as much,” said Foote.
“And at the ice show everything comes together and they’re so excited,” added Dominie.
