The weekend of Nov. 3 and 4, the Great Neck Park District's Skate Team attended the 2007 Ice Skating Institute Artistic Challenge. This national competition was hosted by the Wonderland of Ice Arena, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Lisa Fedick, who owns and operates this facility, is the ISI District III representative. She played an enormous part in creating this amazing event with her fabulous organizational abilities. For two days, 24 teams competed from all over the United States. The categories ranged in ability from the Beta level through Freestyle 4. Skaters of all ages and levels competed.

The Great Neck Team was made up of 11 members. The skaters include Emily Blank, Mollie Blank, Samantha Klainberg, Jenna Politosky, Chelsea Larkin, Vanessa Avelar, Maya Ginor, Kayla Yim, Kristina Yim, Gabriella Scaramucci and Erica Scheblein. Everyone took either first or second place; several winning more than one medal for their skating ability. The team won 19 medals, winning fifth place overall, on a national level. Kayla Yim, Kristina Yim and Gabriella Scaramucci warrant a very special "thank you" for joining the Great Neck Team and competing the way they did. Their coach Donna Capolino deserves kudos, as well. The Great Neck Team's head coach, Shannon Lenihan, did such an extraordinary job with the whole team. She is exceptionally dedicated to her craft. Her enthusiasm for teaching shines through in her superb choreography. Shannon is a driving force and an inspiration for all of the team members.

Congratulations to the team!