The 36th annual ice show led the audience through earth, wind, water and fire with group and solo routines last weekend.
Titled Nature’s Symphony, the show brought together families and friends in the stands, and skaters of all skill levels on the ice, some who had stepped on the ice for the first time six months ago.
Co-director Beth O’Connor said she enjoys seeing all the hard work culminate in one weekend each year.
“For the learn-to-skate program, from the first week barely stepping [on the ice] to now skating more confidently out on the ice is great,” she said.
Classics like We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel and Waterloo by ABBA as well as modern hits like Water Under The Bridge by Adele and Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles provided the soundtrack.
Cheers erupted from the crowd when the youngest skaters stepped onto the ice, guided by the older skaters.
“It’s honestly one of my favorite parts,” performer and graduating senior Shealyn Smith said. “The kids this year were so amazing and they’re all so good and so funny and willing to participate which is really nice.”
Ms. Smith has been skating for almost 15 years, and her last ice show was a poignant moment.
“Knowing that I’ll have the whole summer to continue skating and it’s not the end yet..it’s just the last ice show,” she said. “Knowing that took some of the pressure off.”
For her senior solo, Ms. Smith performed to Fire and Rain by James Taylor.
“I was able to really enjoy it and put my whole heart into that number because that number meant a lot to me as well,” Ms. Smith said. “I’ve lost a lot of people in my life so it was important to me to honor them in that way.”
Senior Ellie Pennington skated her final solo routine to Fireflies. She took her final bow to loud applause. Having skated since preschool, she plans to join a skating team in college and coach in her future.
"It is a little sad that it's my last one but I also know I'm going to continue skating and growing so in college so it's an exciting new door," she said.
Ms. Pennington said it was a special moment for her as she had numerous friends and family members cheering her on.
"I had a lot of family there from out of state who had never been to one of my skating shows before," she said. "It was really nice that I could show them what I talk about all the time."
Saying goodbye to the seniors is always difficult, Ms. O'Connor said.
“We have a little section of seniors graduating every year and it’s bittersweet because they have been with us for so long it’s like losing a family member,” Ms. O’Connor said.
According to Ms. Smith, the show represents the future of skating on the Island.
“You never know who’s going to become the next person,” she said. “Even if they don’t go onto figure skating, they go on to play hockey or do something just as cool.”
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