Austin Figure Skating Club
Newsletter - November 2020
President's Note
Dear Members,
I hope you are enjoying these first few days of the Fall season! To me, nothing is better than a cup of coffee with a freshly baked pumpkin bread in the comfort of my house with my family. How are you staying cozy these days?
The 2020 Autumn Classic gave some athletes the opportunity to show off new skills and programs since March. Overall, it was a good event and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our several volunteers and officials who worked before, during and after the competition. We now have a good idea of how to be prepared for our 2021 Excel Bluebonnet Open Competition in April. We will need more volunteers to help cover all the needed spots to provide each athlete a safe and good experience. Please, consider this opportunity to support our Club and earn some volunteer hours while interacting with some enthusiastic skating families.
As a friendly reminder, all club member families need a total of 15 hours prior to June 30, 2021. Renewal registration begins July 01, 2021. Families that do not meet the 15 volunteer hours will be responsible to pay $50.00 in additional to the registration fee.
We were very happy to offer a Testing Session after the 2020 Autumn Classic was over. Congratulations to all the skaters who passed their tests.
Last year’s Christmas party involved learning some fun dance moves. We are excited to plan something special for this year too. Stay tuned for more information.
There is a lot to be thankful for, even in this difficult and challenging year. I hope you enjoy time with family and we wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Cindy Chapa
AFSC President
**Cancelled** AFSC Skate and Dress Sale
**Cancelled** Will be rescheduled
Buy or sell new or used skating apparel
Buy: Skates, blades, competition and practice dresses, stockings, guards, soakers, skate clothing, etc.
Sell: Drop off your items Saturday morning of the event. Find your consignment form for detailed directions on our website. If you need to make other arrangements please contact - Stephanie Schmid 512-797-1368
Saturday, November 14, 2020 12:00-4pm
Chaparral ICE @ The Crossover
1717 Scottsdale Dr. Leander, TX 78641
Saturday, Nov 14, 2020, 12:00 PM
The Crossover, Scottsdale Drive, Leander, TX, USA
Qualifying Series News
Unfortunately, US Figure Skating Association officially canceled the Qualifying Series on November 02, 2020. AFSC want to recognize two Associate Club Members, they’ve dedicated hours of training, hard work and determination to prepare for such an incredible opportunity.
AFSC Associate Members:
Kaitlin Sauer
Michael Chapa
2020 Nine States Figure Skating Championships
Congratulations to our skaters who participated in this competition last month!
- Christopher Chapa
- Amelia Chen
- Anne Marie Chien
- Kira Dalkiewicz
- Julia Eltsova
- Kseniia Eltsova
- Allison Gerloff
- Anaiah Machamer
- Elizabeth Merene
- Amaryn Michelson
- Kaya Ridenour
- Ava Sadasivan
- Stephanie Schmid
- Noa Syed
- Leila Smith
- Natalie Smith
- Paige Smith
- Mikayla Yu
Club Ice Announcement
Club Ice is Back!
Friday night Club Ice is back. The sessions will be held on the first Friday of the month at Chaparral Ice at Northcross from 5:15 to 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:
- November 6
- December 4
Cost for members is $7.00 per session.
AFSC Featured Skaters
Leila Smith
Coaches: Keauna McLaughlin & team
How I got started with skating: Just before turning 6 years old, I told my parents I wanted to learn how to ice skate. They enrolled me in Basic 1 Learn to Skate classes and I haven’t stopped since! I moved up levels quickly in the first year then began private lessons with Coach Karen and Coach Keauna. I continued advancing through private lessons - medalling at local and travel competitions and passing my first two Moves in the Field tests. Now, I am ready to take my skating to the next level, transitioning from recreational to competitive skating.
Favorite moves/elements: Bullet spin, camel spin & all jumps including split jump
Most memorable skating-related moment: When I first landed my axel!
Favorite skater: Keauna McLaughlin
Hobbies: Harp, drawing, reading
Favorite place to travel: Paris, France
Natalie Smith
Coaches: Keauna McLaughlin & team
How I got started with skating: At 4 years old my parents enrolled me in Snowplow classes because my older sister Leila wanted to learn to skate and I got dragged along. I immediately fell in love with the speed and the sparkle but since I was so little I was getting lost in the shuffle and overlooked in the Learn to Skate classes. That’s when I met Coach Keauna who recognized both my talent and my frustration. She started coaching me in private lessons, which reinvigorated my love for the sport. I have been skating with Coach Keauna ever since!
Favorite moves/elements: Spread Eagle & Ina Bauer
Skating goals: Quad Axel!
Favorite skaters: Keauna McLaughlin, Mikayla Yu
Hobbies: Reading, playing the flute
Future profession: Archeologist
Favorite place to travel: I would like to go to Japan. I have never been but I know I would like it there!
Paige Smith
Coaches: Keauna McLaughlin & team
How I got started with skating: Having been dragged to the ice rink to watch my sisters take lessons, I could not wait for my turn to get on the ice! After my 4th birthday I started my first Snowplow class. It was only 4 months until I started private lessons of my own with Coach Keauna to prepare my first competitive program. In my first year of skating I competed at local events and traveled to events in Dallas and Houston. My second year of skating, COVID hit and despite spending a good portion of the year off the ice I have stayed committed to my training and have continued advancing my skills.
Favorite element: Sit spin
Skating goals: To get my spiral all the way into a split
Favorite skater: Keauna McLaughlin
Hobbies: Drawing, swimming
Future profession: Fashion designer
Upcoming Test 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
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.
MITF app
Available in Google Play and Mac App Store
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
The next Board Meeting is on November 22 from 2pm-4pm.
Please register in advance for this meeting using this link.
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
The Nutcracker on Ice
Friday, December 11 at 7pm
Saturday, December 12 at 7pm
Cedar Park, TX - The Crossover
These performances are sanctioned by US Figure Skating through the Austin Figure Skating Club.
Amazon Smile
If you don't already have charitable group or school that receives donations through your purchases, consider putting Austin Figure Skating Club as a recipient of those donations. This is a great and painless way to earn a little more money for Club activities. To have your purchases generate donations to the Club click on this link.
Thank you for considering shopping with Amazon to benefit AFSC
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