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Kennedy hosts annual ice show

Local figure skating ice shows celebrate the achievements of homegrown skaters each year ending their season. Kennedy Skating Club hosted their annual carnival on Sunday, March 2, where youth displayed their progress over the year.
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Kennedy Skating Club members hosted their annual carnival on Sunday, March 2, where they were joined by (back left) Rudi Swiegers and his partner, Paige Lawrence, local heroes amongst the youth with Lawrence being from Kennedy and Swiegers living in Kipling for much of his young skating career.

Local figure skating ice shows celebrate the achievements of homegrown skaters each year ending their season.

Kennedy Skating Club hosted their annual carnival on Sunday, March 2, where youth displayed their progress over the year. Not only was it a celebration of these young achievers though, it was a time to celebrate homegrown Olympic athlete Paige Lawrence and her pairs partner Rudi Swiegers.

The Kennedy Club boasts 32 CanSkaters and seven StarSkaters.

Beginning with a roast beef supper at 4 p.m., the skating club presented, "Blast from the Past," at 6:30 p.m. to a packed rink.

Following the theme, each group performance brought on a popular song from each decade beginning in the 1940s.

The night saw basic moves like youngsters zipping along the ice and turning corners to more advanced moves such as spins and jumps.

It was an exciting yet nerve racking night for the young skaters as parents, friends, and extended family cheered them on with applause, hollers, and loud whistles.

Brynn Bourhis opened the show with a solo, while Brock Dorrance, Danika Cancade, and Kinley Pratt would take to the ice next showcasing the 1940s.

Colton Armstrong, Chase Dovell, and Callum Hansen took on a 1970s track before Nolan Cameron performed a strong solo.

Nevaeh Armstrong, Macey Hall, Kate Hansen, Aurora Husband, Morgan Debenham, and Ashlyn Dovell then made the crowd erupt with cheers as they portrayed the 1980s.

Solo's were then performed by Kyla Hall and Kayla Munro prior to Lawrence and Swiegers' presentation.

During a brief intermission the youth were back out in the cold rink, shivering, but without complaint.

Hall stepped out on the ice for a second chance at her program, which had been cut short earlier due to a minor injury during her performance.

Emily Dubois then took to the ice for a beautiful showing of skill.

Representing the 1950s and looking cute in their poodle skirts were Sybil Brickley, Mylee Dieter, Haley Debenham, and Sophie Cowan.

Renn Brickley and Maddox Dieter went country as they took on the 2000s.

The older skaters within the club including Munro, Hall, Cameron, Emily, Brynn Bourhis, Zoe Dubois, and Celina Cummins continued the country theme as the StarSkate group entertained the crowd with a variety of skills they've acquired over the years.

Anna Van Winkoop and Jordan Dorrance then made their way out where they skated in the 1960s with the Twist and Shout.

Kaitlyn Cameron, Mia Wyporowich, Sydney Dorrance, and Kati Van Winkoop brought Britney Spears' first hit from the 90s, "Hit me baby one more time" to life as they effortlessly glided across the ice.

Finally Munro, Cameron, Bourhis, and Brynn Stutt performed a Synchronized Program. Though this requires a minimum of nine people in competitions, the four interested skaters still work hard on their skills for this event.

All of the skaters then made their way out on the ice, followed by Lawrence and Swiegers to be given flowers and take group photos commemorating the 2013-2014 skating year.

Each skater showed their abilities and whether performing flawlessly or with a few stumbles the crowd erupted in loud cheers celebrating the growth of their young local skaters.