The Ice Skating Institute of America sponsored the 2006 ISI World Recreational Championships at the New England Sports Center, in Marlboro, Massachusetts from Monday, July 24 through Saturday, July 29. The 15-member team from Great Neck's Andrew Stergiopoulos Skating Rink competed and placed 31 out of 120 teams world wide! Emily Hughes, 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Bronze Medalist and competitor at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy, performed in a show at the end of the competition.

This competition allows anyone interested to sign up and compete. People of all ages and levels were eligible. All 15 experienced skaters from Great Neck have been coached by the pros at the A. Stergiopoulos Skating Rink. The coaches Shannon Lenihan, Monica Marks, Lauren O'Rourke and Claudia Sersanti were all very proud of their team. The youngest member, 6-year-old Jared Betz, was a double gold medalist and selected by ISI as one of 10 out of over 1,000 skaters to perform with Emily Hughes. What an honor that was for Jared and his family!

The other gold medalist skaters included: Mollie Blank, Marisa Cassiere, Samantha Klainberg and Julia Rauch; silver medalists: Cathy Cheng and Hallie Rothsinger; bronze medalists: Emily Baklajian, Denise Sahin and Piner Sahin.

Other extraordinary teammates include Vanessa Avaler, Lindsay Davenport, Emily Blank, Stephanie Burchell and Mino Uchiyama.

The Ice Skating Institute of America offers $4,000 scholarships annually to high school ISI participants who have accomplished the criteria put out by the Instiute. The Recreational Championships occurs in a different city each year. Next year, 2007, it will be in Chicago, Illinois. Aside from the prizes and accolades that can be won, the skaters get to see new places, make new friendships and learn about team spirit and competition. It's an experience second to none.

So all you skaters out there, no matter what your level, sign up for skating lessons at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Skating Rink this fall and learn more than just skating.

Call the rink at 487-2976, ext. 114 for more information.