Austin Figure Skating Club
Newsletter - September 2020
President's Note
Hello Austin FSC members,
August went by fast! I would like to first thank each of you for your patience regarding Testing Sessions. After much thought and consideration to make sure we follow all the protocols for all to be safe, we were able to offer 2 options these past weeks, and we had several skaters who passed their tests. Every test you pass is a new and great accomplishment which you make it possible thanks to your dedication, commitment and the support of your family and coaches: Congratulations!
We are very thrilled to announce that our competition Autumn Classic will be on October 24th and 25th. Stay tuned for more information about the registration dates. We will offer events for all levels including Adults, and it will be held at our new Chaparral Ice rink, The Crossover in Cedar Park!
Friday night Club Ice and Super Nova Socials are finally back! Please see the details below.
Lastly, AFSC Board Meeting is scheduled on September 20th, the registration link is posted at the bottom of this Newsletter. I hope you can join us to hear more about the future events. We always welcome all ideas to help make each event a successful one. Please email your ideas or suggestions for future events to contact@afsctx.org or pres@afsctx.org.
Sincerely,
Cindy Chapa
AFSC President
SAVE THE DATE
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Here is our EntryEeze website for the 2020 Autumn Classic:
All levels including Adults! It will be held at our new Chaparral Ice rink, The Crossover in Cedar Park
The Crossover Grand Opening - September 5th - 6th
Join us for the newly-announced grand opening celebrations, Saturday and Sunday, September 5th-6th. The grand opening will feature free classes and ice time. Register today before spots fill up!
You can find more information on Chaparral's website. See you at the rink!
Club Ice Announcement
Club Ice is Back!
Friday night club ice is finally back. The sessions will be held on the first Friday of the month at Chaparral Ice at Northcross from 5:15 – 6:15pm. Sessions are limited to 20 skaters. To sign up, click on the link below. Can’t wait to see you there!
Club ice dates:
- September 4
- October 2
- November 6
- December 4
Cost for members is $7.00 per session.
AFSC Featured Skaters
Annika Dawson
Coaches: Rick Reyor, Alix Vargo & Chris Castleberry
How I got started with skating: When I was 4 years old, I spent Christmas and New Years in Madison, Wisconsin, at my grandparents’ house with my cousins, aunts and uncles. My older two cousins were taking ice skating lessons at that time. I always wanted to do everything they did, so I went ice skating with them. I wanted to go fast like them, so they took turns pushing me and showing me how to stay upright. When we returned home after the holidays, I still wanted to skate. So, my parents found Chaparral Ice and signed me up for lessons. I have been skating since then!
Favorite elements: I love any type of camel spin variation and illusions.
Skating goals: I would like to take all that I have been able to learn during my training these months, physically and mentally, and apply that on the ice. I would also like to pass my Senior MIF before I go to college.
Most memorable skating-related moment: I have so many memorable skating moments, such as landing my axel and double salchow with new technique and passing my Junior Moves in the Field on my first try, but I think that my most memorable skating moment is when I was choreographing my 2020 program. I chose the music El Condor Pasa, which is considered the second national anthem of Peru. I was, and still am, so happy and proud to show my heritage through my program. My grandfather and aunt came to visit from Lima and brought some Peruvian fabric that our friend was able to use to make my dress!
Favorite skaters: Jason Brown, Nathan Chen, Mariah Bell and Evgenia Medvedeva are my favorite skaters. I love how high their jumps are and their amazing lines in their programs.
Hobbies: I have a few hobbies like baking cookies, banana bread, or other treats, and I enjoy cooking different Peruvian dishes. I also like to write poems and short stories. Writing down what I am worried about or thoughts I have in my head helps me relax.
Future profession: I believe I would be a good child psychologist or an occupational therapist. I really enjoy talking to and helping kids and adults.
Favorite quote: "What if I fall? Oh my darling, what if you fly?" - Erin Hanson.
Favorite place to travel: I first traveled to Lima, Peru, when I was 2 years old. I don't remember much of that trip, but for Christmas in 2018 my family and I went back there! It was so nice and amazing to be in my country. On the second day after we arrived, we went to La Costa Verde in Miraflores. We were able to walk along the coast line and watch the waves crash onto the beach. I was able to go paragliding in Parque Raimondi with an experienced pilot! It was amazing, exhilarating and quite a rush to jump off the cliff and sail over the city. It was wonderful to see my Peruvian family and meet new family members. I would like to go back and explore more places in Peru.
Tests Passed; Aug. 23 & 30
Congratulations AFSC club members who passed their tests!
Pre-Preliminary Moves
Natalie Smith, Miriam Li, Amaryn Michelson and Kaya Ridenour
Pre-Preliminary FS
Michelle Martinez
Preliminary Moves
Alexa Whalen, Leila Smith and Camille Mei, Gia Mukherjee
PreJuvenile FS & Juvenile Moves
Ella Pryor
PreJuvenile Moves & Preliminary FS
Samantha Hanna
Pre-Juv Moves
Amaya Yanaze and Ainsley Harris
Intermediate Moves
Ava Sadasivan, Maddie Fielding
Adult Gold Moves
Lauren Wojcik
Adult Silver Moves & FS
Stephanie Schmid
Adult Silver Moves
Malaina Johnson
Adult Pre-Bronze Moves
Courtney Handman
Upcoming Test Sessions
Update 9/7/20: Next test session is October 3rd at the Crossover. Sign up on Entryeeze.
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As you know, this has been a challenging year for scheduling test sessions and other in-person programming! The club was recently able to offer two, 2-hour test sessions on August 23 and August 30. This ice time came up on short notice and we regret that we were unable to announce the sessions in the last newsletter. Keep an eye on this space (and on your email!) for future sessions.
If you would like to take a test at another club while waiting for the next one to be scheduled with Austin FSC, links to some of the clubs that have test sessions coming up are below. If you decide to do that, we can generate a permission to test (a form that says you are a member in good standing with AFSC). Send requests to terrysk8@gmail.com.
Dallas FSC test information: https://www.dallasfsc.org/test-sessions
Texas Gulf Coast FSC test information: http://texasgulfcoastfsc.org/testing/
Skating Club of Houston test information: https://www.skatingclubofhouston.org/testing
We will hopefully be able to have a test session in Austin in the fall and will keep you updated as we have information on dates.
Austin FSC Introductory member
Shining Bright Aspire!
$75
To be an Aspire member of Austin FSC, skaters must be enrolled in LTS Specialty classes with Chaparral Ice. Membership is 1 year!
Includes:
Badges, Aspire Tee Shirt w/club logo, Zoom classes, Parent Webinars, activity fellowship with Mentors from Austin FSC, Introduction to training plan and Compete under Austin FSC name!
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
Next level of membership Join Anytime!
Bridge
Includes:
First year new member a club jacket!
Full Member Austin FSC and US Figure Skating (USFSA) include and not limited to club ice, activities, events and special privileges. Also USFS Magazine!
Super Novas Program
- We are so excited to announce we ordered T-Shirts! We will contact everyone with details
about how and where to pick them up.
- Super Novas are open to all members currently in FS6 and below, and have not yet passed
Pre-Preliminary Moves!
- Super Novas meet the 3rd Saturday of the month at 4:30pm at The Crossover during
the school year. Our time on the ice is full of fun games, and the activities are designed
to challenge the skaters' skills in a fun and playful environment.
- Please visit www.afsctx.org for more information.
- If you have any questions, please email Renae Sundgren at sk8procool@gmail.com or
call 512-470-7118.
Congratulations to our Adult Skaters for passing the following USFSA tests:
Adult Gold Moves
Lauren Wojcik
Adult Silver Moves & FS
Stephanie Schmid
Adult Silver Moves
Malaina Johnson
Adult Pre-Bronze Moves
Courtney Handman
To find out more about USFSA Adult skating program:
https://www.usfigureskating.org/skate/skating-opportunities/adult-skating
Visit https://www.facebook.com/afscadultzone to keep up with AFSC Club offerings of Zoom off-ice trainings, seminars, clinics, social meetings, showcases and competition opportunities that are geared solely for the Adult skaters. Please feel free to post and add opportunities from other clubs along with any helpful skater videos.
If you have any ideas or suggestions of activities that you'd like to have happen for us please don't hesitate to reach out! All feedback is helpful!
Stephanie Schmid
AFSC Adult Zone Committee Chair
512-797-1368 text or call
The Adult Zone Facebook page
AFSC Board Meetings
Next Board Meeting is on September 20th at 2pm. Please, register in advance for this meeting using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkduGhrjgvGtGzMzpO4abNl7GmE_tg3cuD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Membership Renewal
2020-2021 Membership year is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021
If you haven't yet renewed your membership, please remember to do so as soon as possible. You cannot test or compete unless you have a current membership with US Figure Skating either through a club or as an individual member.
Upcoming Competitions and Events
Southwestern Nine States Competition - Hosted by Dallas FSC
Allen, TX - Event Center and Community Ice Rink
Autumn Classic - Hosted by Austin FSC
Cedar Park, TX - The Crossover
Save the date! All levels including Adults! Registration info to come.
Visit our club website:
Our Home Rink
Bluebonnet Open
Crossover Rink - now open!
1717 Scottsdale Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78641
(512) 252-8500
Austin Figure Skating Club
The Austin Figure Skating Club (AFSC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that promotes the sport of Figure Skating in the Greater Austin area.
AFSC is the only US Figure Skating Association member club in the Greater Austin area.
Email: contact@afsctx.org
Website: afsctx.org
Phone: 512-965-7895
Facebook: facebook.com/austinfigureskatingclub