'Skate for Life' Raises Thousands for Muscular Dystrophy Association

Cast members of "Skate for Life" pose backstage before the show. Photo by Susan Roesch

(5/14/08) - "Skate for Life,” a benefit show for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) held April 12 in Newington, Conn., turned out to be an overwhelming success, grossing more than $20,000. Directed mainly by four-time U.S. champion (juvenile, intermediate, novice and junior) Parker Pennington, the show included performances by World and Olympic competitors, national medalists and local skaters.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped make this show a great success in the very first year," Pennington said. "All the skaters really put forth a great effort for an amazing cause. I would also like to thank the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Newington Arena for believing in my project, and my dad and Carolyn Bongirno (creator of “Skate for Hope”) for providing me with great inspiration."

The show's theme incorporated the idea of “helping others.” Among the performers were skaters with family members affected by the disease. These skaters dedicated their routines to their parents in heartfelt speeches before taking the ice. Molly Jespersen and the Penningtons skated in honor of their fathers, while Sean Rabbitt skated in honor of his mother, who has been afflicted with FSH (facioscapulohumeral) muscular dystrophy for the past 20 years.

"I know how difficult just stepping up on a curb is for you," Rabbitt said in his on-ice speech. "I love you, mom."

Rabbitt, a junior competitor at the 2007 Pacific Coast Sectional Figure Skating Championships, was excited to take part in a "great show for a great cause."

"My dedication wasn't something I just wrote down on the paper to recite," Rabbitt said. "It came from my heart and how I felt about my mom, muscular dystrophy and how it affects my mom and everyone else who has muscular dystrophy in their everyday lives."

Parker and Colin's father, Larry, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy eight years ago.

"Skating has always been their passion and a gift,” Larry said. “Skating to help others and make a difference is both heartwarming and really the greatest gift of all."

The show opened with cast members and guest skaters, including 2007 U.S. silver medalist Emily Hughes and two-time U.S. bronze medalist Dan Hollander, in an emotional group number entitled "I'll Be There for You." The show continued with solo performances by more than 30 skaters, from the pre-preliminary to the professional level. Skaters performed to everything, from hip hop to classical, from the sweet, haunting strings of Love Story (16-year-old junior skater Marci Andress of Vienna, Va.) to the lively "Cuban Pete" from The Mask (senior medalist Jenna Adams of Glastonbury, Conn.). Five-year-old Becky Schlesinger of Falls Church, Va., wowed the audience with a cute solo from South Pacific, which included a mixture of spins and spirals, and a huge smile to match.

Hollander brought down the house with a humorous version of Eric Cartman's "Come Sail Away" from “South Park,” then quickly changed into a Mrs. Doubtfire costume for Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like a Lady." Many of his signature back flips were interspersed throughout his performance.

Hughes also drew in the audience with a hip-hop number that started at the boards and ended with a series of strong jumps and spins.

Team Millennium, a beginner synchronized skating team from Cromwell, Conn., that participated in the opening ceremonies at the 2008 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, treated audience members to a lively performance.

The show closed with an emotional number featuring cast members skating to "We're All in This Together” from High School Musical.

Each participant raised at least $250, with Emily Roesch of McLean, Va., claiming top fundraiser honors, having brought in more than $1,000.

"The show was an amazing event, and I'm so glad I was able to take part in such a spectacular show," Rabbitt said. "I was also really happy for the amount the show was able to raise."

A silent auction, featuring everything from skating lessons to autographed photos of World and Olympic team members, and a meet-and greet-reception with the skaters were also held. "Skaters traveled from over six different states to perform in this show," Pennington said. "All in all, the show was a huge success, and I couldn't have done it without them."

Pennington was impressed with how composed everyone involved in the show was and how dedicated everyone was to the cause.

"The skaters did an amazing job piecing everything together in such a short period of time," Pennington said. "I look forward to next year's show, and even bigger and better things."