Sarah Hughes, Great Neck's figure skating star, joined other top figure skaters in Madison Square Garden on Oct. 5 in a show honoring the 1961 American skaters who were killed when their plane crashed on the way to the championship trials.

Ms. Hughes, who was second in last year's United States championships, is 16, one of the youngest performers, and had not really felt the tragedy of the 1961 loss until the Sept. 11 disaster brought it home to her. Several of her friends and colleagues have suffered losses in that disaster. In the Garden tribute, Ms. Hughes skated to the inspirational tune, You'll Never Walk Alone.

''The performance was so touching; tears came to my eyes,'' said Amy Hughes, the skating star's mother.

As usual, Ms. Hughes' schedule is filled. On Sunday, Oct. 14, she appeared in a tribute on ABC television. In the next few weeks she will be appearing on the Today Show and on Good Morning, America. She will compete in Skate America in Colorado Springs, and then in Skate Canada. After that she will participate in the Trophy Lalique, in Paris.

Among noted skaters whom Ms. Hughes has met in various events are Nancy Kerrigan, Michelle Kwan, and even Peggy Fleming, her idol. She herself is an inspiration to her 12-year-old sister, Emily, also a remarkable figure skater, who recently opened the Rockefeller Center season with a Proud to be an American show.

''The recent tragedy has made me realize that the annoyances that used to bother me were really not worth being upset about,'' said Ms. Hughes. ''What is important is the pursuit of excellence and honor for our wonderful country.''