Gregory and Petukhov Making a Difference with Fever on Ice
by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online |
Fever on Ice combines skating instruction and academic tutoring using the ideals of the Olympic movement. Students not only learn to skate but are educated on the science behind the sport. Thanks to a two-year grant from the Hartford Board of Education and the Connecticut State Department of Education, instruction is free
The culmination of the program is the annual performance "Proud Nation," which will take place Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the International Skating Center in Simsbury, Conn. The show features Olympic skaters, aerial artists, extreme sports athletes, dancers and musicians.
"The best part for us as directors of the program is to see the joy and excitement on [the kids'] faces--how it brings their families together, develops friendships and creates personal knowledge and growth," said Gregory, who received the 2010 U.S. Olympic Committee's "Rings of Gold" Award for her development of Fever on Ice. "The students love meeting Olympic athletes, musicians, Cirque du Soleil stars and dancers. It inspires them that they can be great and succeed in anything they choose as long as they never give up."
This year, Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for "Proud Nation."
"We are thrilled to have Dorothy Hamill [at the show]," Gregory said. "Our students had a homework assignment on Dorothy. After they found out she was coming, they all wrote letters to her."
Michael Buckley, host of the popular YouTube channel "What the Buck," will also co-host.
In addition to the featured performers in this year's "Proud Nation"--which include two-time U.S. champion and 2010 Olympian Jeremy Abbott, country music artists Burns & Poe, Cirque du Soleil star Stacey Carlson and professional pairs team Melanie Lambert and Fred Palascak--50 Fever on Ice students from the greater Hartford area will get on the ice and show the crowd what they've learned. Gregory and Petukhov will skate to their new song and choreograph a collaborative number that incorporates many of the show's participants.
"One of the most rewarding aspects is to see the accomplishment and results in the students at the end of the year when we are putting together the 'Proud Nation' show," Petukhov said. "They get to demonstrate their abilities and speak about their experience."
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"She came home from school with a flyer and said she wanted to come," Burch said. "I think this is such a great program because it opens skating to kids who might not otherwise be able to get onto a rink like this."
Burch also likes the self-esteem and self-confidence the program builds.
"Girls at her age are so worried about how they look and think everyone is watching them," she said. "I'm happy that she is out there trying and not giving up, like so many kids do."
Seventh-grader Alyssa Rivera is in her second year in Fever on Ice.
"I really wanted to come back after last year," Rivera said. "This program has taught me to never give up on yourself and work hard until you get good at something."
Gregory and Petukhov are working to expand the program for next season and hope to take it nationwide to "more towns, states, kids and families, so they can experience 'Fever on Ice.'"
"We encourage clubs, schools and organizations who are interested to learn more about us and to get in touch with us," Gregory said. "We would love to bring Fever on Ice into their area."
Advanced "Proud Nation" tickets are $20 and $35 for on-ice seating. Tickets will be $25 and $40 on the day of the show. Ticket information is available by calling 860.651.5400 or visiting www.eduskating.com.
