Michael Weiss Foundation Presents Second Diamond Performance Award

Michael Weiss with foundation award winner Ellie Kawamura

(8/31/04) — First, 10-year-old Ellie Kawamura impressed the crowd and the judges with her double Axels and energetic skating, then she received a well-deserved award. The Michael Weiss Foundation presented Kawamura with the Diamond Performance Award on Aug. 21 at the Silicon Valley Open in San Jose, Calif.

Weiss and Nicolas Castaneda presented the award to Kawamura on the ice after her bronze medal performance. The young skater was also awarded a $500 check from the foundation to help defray her training expenses.

Weiss is grateful for the skaters, coaches, parents and other fans who were generous enough to donate to the foundation while he autographed posters and photos. The foundation raised $910 in just one hour. It is through the support and encouragement of these people that the sport of figure skating continues to grow. Weiss created and funded the program to address the issue of the high cost of figure skating.

The Peninsula Skating Club, host of the Silicon Valley Open, was extremely helpful with the organization of the award. Castaneda provided the gorgeous trophy awarded to both Kawamura and previous recipient Armin Mahbanoozadeh. Congratulations to both winners!