INNISFAIL – For 54 years the Innisfail Skating Club has been wowing crowds with its year-end showcase.
This year’s annual event Shining Stars included close to 60 local skaters of all ages and levels.
The celestial-themed show began with a performance to the song Fireball and finished with a finale to the song Sky Full of Stars.
“The coaches are really pleased and excited that our skaters have worked so hard the entire year to bring this performance together and showcase the talents of our skaters,” said Nicole Sabasch, head coach. “We couldn’t be prouder of them and we’re very excited for this.”
The two-hour year-end showcase wraps up the skating season for the club, and featured solo performances, group numbers and duets. It also welcomed guest performances by Kenyon Monahan and the Solstice Pre-Novice Synchronized Team.
“All of our skaters have improved this year,” said Sabasch. “We couldn’t be more pleased with our skaters and we’re excited to have our guest skaters here today. We couldn’t be happier with our showcase.”
Sabasch is joined by fellow coaches Julie Roy, Teagan Peddy, Devlyn Beeman and Erica Rafuse, who is also in her last year as a skater with the club.
The 18-year-old STAR skater began skating with the club when she was just six years old and today, in addition to skating, also coaches pre-Can and Can-skate levels.
“It is my last year skating so I’m really excited for the show,” said Rafuse, noting some of the memories she’s made over the years. “The show is always the highlight of the year. We come together and do duets. I met my best friend here. I’ve learned lots of great lessons and passed lots of tests,” she added.
Rafuse noted what she loves about the sport.
“I love that you get to go out and do your best and you’re not always judged against someone else for the testing,” she said, adding she spends about six hours, four days a week practising. “I definitely want to coach but I’m pretty much done with skating now.”
Rafuse performed in four numbers during the Shining Stars showcase, including a solo, a duet with her best friend Ashley White, a group STAR skate number and the finale.
As a coach, Rafuse was also eager to see her young skaters show off their progress made over the past several months.
“In the show today you get to see all of our skaters from ages three to 18 and we have a few guest skaters too,” said Rafuse. “All of the kids are really excited. We’ve been practising their numbers for a few weeks now.”
The Innisfail club has played an important role in her life and has been like a second family, she said.
“It was a very big part (of my life). This was my favourite sport,” Rafuse concluded.
