49th Ice Show Thrills with Memorable Last Performances by Seniors
The Glenview Community Ice Center’s Spring Ice Show, Planes, Trains and Hydro-Blades is the highlight of the year for over 250 figure skaters in the Glenview Skating Academy and the Glenview Blades Synchronized Skating teams. It’s an opportunity to showcase all that these skaters have learned and accomplished. For our graduating high school seniors, it’s also a bittersweet event because as much as it’s exciting, it also marks their final turn on the show ice. This year there are eight skaters saying their farewells. We asked them to reflect on their figure skating careers and share some of their favorite memories.
meet our senior performers
Natalie Duncan
Natalie has been skating for 14 years. This is her 8th show and she’ll be skating in five numbers. Skating has taught Natalie the value of teamwork and perseverance. She is grateful for the friends she has made and the coaches who helped her to advance and to never give up. As a member of the Glenview Blades, Natalie learned the importance of collaborating and communicating with teammates. “Skating in general is a difficult sport, and it takes time and effort to learn a new skill and make it consistent. My friends and coaches have made a huge difference in my life and have helped me to get where I am today,” she says. Natalie will be pursuing a double major in psychology and criminal justice at Western Michigan University this fall. She will also be competing on the school’s synchronized skating team.
Zoe Kaiser
This is the ninth show for Zoe, who has been skating for 11 years. Memories are many, but one of her favorites is of attending Saturday morning soloist practices. “Even though it was really early, it was fun to show up to the rink in my pajamas with such a fun group of people,” she said. For her solo performance at this year’s show, Zoe will be skating to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. She is excited to demonstrate all the things she has practiced and mastered throughout her skating career, but she’s also sad knowing this is her last show. This fall, Zoe will be attending the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to study at their engineering school. She hopes to skate for their competitive team and start collegiate competitions.
Janine May
Although this is her first ice show, Janine May has been skating and competing nationally and internationally for over 10 years. As she looks back on her figure skating career, Janine says her proudest moment happened when she traveled to France for the World Theatre on Ice competition. At home, Janine’s favorite skating memories are of hanging around with friends during public skate sessions. Figure skating, she says has taught her how to make sacrifices, stay disciplined and work with others. Janine will be attending Purdue University this fall, and she hopes to continue coaching and skating recreationally.
Colleen Paisley
Over the past 15 years, Colleen has made many wonderful friends doing the sport she loves the most. “The amount of time we have all spent sweating, working hard, smiling and laughing together is unmatched, and I am forever grateful for that.” For her 8th and final show, Colleen will be skating in several numbers including her solo performance, and she’ll be a choreographer/helper for the younger skaters in the Snowplow Sam number. Colleen would like to thank the GCIC staff and coaches, some of whom have known her since she was three. “They have seen me grow and blossom into the person I am today.” This summer, Colleen will be working at GCIC as an assistant camp director of Camp Ice Cool, before attending Western Michigan University in the fall to study social studies and secondary education. She will also continue her skating career as a member of the school’s synchronized skating team.
Maria Paradies
In her 11-year skating career, Maria has also participated in 11 ice shows! She credits being a member of the Glenview Blades for learning how to work with others to achieve a common goal. Maria is excited to perform for the final time, but she will definitely miss skating at GCIC and all the people she has become close with. Maria’s solo routine is choreographed to the song I Saw the Sign. Maria’s future plans include attending the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign to pursue a degree in engineering. Maria will also be a member of their synchronized skating team.
Maggie Parsons
Maggie has been skating for 14 years. Though she admits that performing in her 10th and final show will be sad, Maggie would rather focus on all the opportunities skating has given her. “Some of my favorite childhood memories come from these shows; It’s where I’ve met my best friends and so many people I look up to. I’d like to think of my last performance as a celebration of all my years skating at GCIC, rather than a goodbye.” You’ll find Maggie working as a counselor at Camp Ice Cool this summer. She’s headed to Indiana University in the fall to study art education. Maggie is looking forward to coming back to coach at GCIC over her breaks.
Jacy Robbins
Over her 14-year skating career, Jacy is most proud of earning her designation of US Figure Skating Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field and Freestyle. “These two achievements encapsulate the hard work I put into both disciplines. My Senior Freestyle test was the last I ever took; it was a successful and bittersweet end to my competitive skating.” Following her 12th and final show, Jacy will miss seeing her fellow skaters around the rink and the students she has nurtured as an instructor. Jacy will major in architecture at Vanderbilt University this fall where she also hopes to pursue club skating at the local ice rink.
Ava Winer
Over the past 15 years figure skating has taught Ava a lot about perseverance and collaboration. “I’ve also learned to make the best of every moment, whether that’s 6 a.m. practice, competition, or even just laughing at funny falls! I feel so lucky to have skated with incredible coaches and teammates who have inspire me to succeed and do my best,” she says. For her solo performance in her 10th show, Ava will be skating to the song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” This summer, Ava will be working as a camp counselor at Apachi Day Camp before attending Tufts University in the fall. “Although they do not have a formal skating program, I hope to continue skating recreationally at a nearby rink,” Ava says.
