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Skating through the past and inspiring the future

‘It’s amazing to keep that spark for 30 years’

By Samantha Davis 5 min read

MARSHALL -- The Southwest Figure Skating Club (SWFSC) held a memorable, nostalgic and inspiring anniversary celebration while hosting its 30th annual Ice Show on Saturday.

Along with performing a variety of numbers between groups, duets and soloists between a wide range of music, one of the highlights of the show was an alumni performance. The club welcomed back skaters of past years to come back together once again on the ice for a special routine, which was to "Umbrella" by Rihanna.

"It’s crazy, and it didn’t hit me until we were in the alumni number. I was looking at everyone around me, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen you in over a decade, I haven’t seen you in almost a decade and a half,' like that is crazy," Mikayla Chesley, former skater and current coach of the SWFSC, said. "It was really fun, and it’s nice because Jodi (Schreurs), our head coach, it’s basically like all the girls she’s ever coached in the last like 20 years, and the coach before Jodi was there in the alumni number, it was just so awesome. I know all the girls enjoyed it."

The alumni number took place toward the end of the show, with past skaters from varying states and cities making the trip to Marshall to reunite and honor three decades of the club.

"At the alumni practice this morning (Saturday prior to the show), after we learned our numbers, we were all just hanging out and just doing tricks with each other," Chesley said. "It was just so fun, I loved it."

Displayed round the Red Baron Arena and on the video board in the rink, a collage of photos with past memories and current skaters were showcased to add to the nostalgia of the day.

Another special moment of the day was the club's lone senior this year, Evea Powers of Marshall High School, taking to the ice for her final ice show as an active member of the SWFSC.

"It was a lot harder than I thought, I was a little more emotional than I thought I would be at the first show, but it was a lot of fun. I’m really going to miss this," Powers said. "I think I had a great competition season. I had a lot of fun just trying to not be too hard on myself."

Powers was in a few different numbers throughout the show, including her own solo of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. She initially began skating at 7 years old.

"It’s very nostalgic. A lot of people that I grew up with are here, they graduated when I was little and I just joined. Like a lot of the alumni were my role models, so they get to be here and watch me do my final show, which is really nice," Powers said about the club's 30th anniversary. "They all have a great passion for it. It's amazing to keep that spark for 30 years."

The SWFSC initially got its start in 1996 by a small group of community members and parents who wanted to bring the art of figure skating to the region, which was found to be successful and has quickly grown since.

SWFSC hosted two shows on Saturday, one in the afternoon followed by an evening performance. Amidst the variety of numbers and music for this year's theme of "Blades and Beats," were also some unique routines such as solo tributes to loved ones, a friends and family number, and a sports number where some skaters welcomed into the rink a friend who plays a sport.

"I was ecstatic. I love my group. I would meet them behind the curtain, and I would make them do big, deep breaths all together to calm their nerves," Chesley said of watching her group's performances as a coach. "As soon as I’d send them off, I’d sprint all the way down this hallway and try and make it over there, so I could watch. When they would get off the ice, I made sure to give them all big hugs."

Along with being in the alum number, Chesley also had a duet with fellow coach Miranda Doose to Taylor Swift's "I Did Something Bad."

This year's show also brought in a pair of guest skaters to each perform a solo.

Watertown High School junior and member of the Watertown Figure Skating Club Savannah Sovell performed a routine to "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. A foreign exchange student from Germany, Celina Daeffinger, who is also currently a junior at Watertown High School, performed to "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

The show presented skaters of all ages and levels, and the community showed up with pride before the weekend snow storm, and filled the arena bleachers and viewing areas.

"It means so much. I know it means so much to all the girls, too," Chesley said of the fans and support. "I heard a few of the little girls, they were like, 'Oh my gosh, look how many people care about us.' That's what one of the little girls said, and I almost started crying ... It was so sweet."

Following the shows, family and friends spent time with their skaters taking pictures and gifting flowers.

As the performances carried on, audience members continued to be mesmerized by the art, often sharing applause, laughter and cheers as the show captured the celebration of all what the Southwest Figure Skating Club has been, and what it continues to be.

"We really do appreciate just the community coming out. Because sometimes, like the figure skating club, it’s such a small part of the community," Chesley said. "So, when we get to do our ice show, I know all the girls feel so loved."

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