Local Skater Lines Up Skate Champions for Benefit: April 2

by Becca Lieb

(May 16, 2005) Mamaroneck High School junior Elizabeth Cruikshank has been skating most of her life, with impressive accomplishments that include a fifth place finish at Junior Nationals in 2003 and a fifth place finish this past year at Eastern Sectionals that leaves her as a first alternate for senior Nationals. Recently, though, she has taken on what might be her most rewarding challenge: organizing a skating show to benefit the AIDS in Africa program of Save the Children.

The show, called Blades Against AIDS, will take place on Saturday evening, April 2 at 6:30 pm at the Hommocks Ice Rink in Larchmont. Ms. Cruikshank has lined up over 20 skaters from the tri-state area, including international, national and junior national medallists and competitors. Among the skaters scheduled to perform are Adam Aronowitz, bronze medallist in the Junior men’s event at the 2003 U.S. Nationals, Chloe Katz, bronze medallist in the Junior Pairs event at the 2005 U.S. Nationals, Brady Chin, seven time Junior National competitor and former gold medallist in the Juvenile Boys category at Junior Nationals and Sasha Lanser, bronze medallist in the Juvenile Ladies event at the 2005 Junior Nationals. In addition, several Mamaroneck teachers and administrators will be making cameo appearances in the show.

Ms. Cruikshank has been thrilled by the community reaction to the event: “Clubs and teachers and students at the high school have been incredibly supportive. The AIDS/HIV club is selling tickets and putting up posters, as is the E-Club, and I’ve been getting lots of help from students, including students at Chatsworth who are selling tickets and promotional bracelets.” Another group helping with the publicity is Kids for World Health.

MHS junior Kelsey Glass-Johnston, who is the media coordinator for the show, hopes that the community will turn out in large numbers. “If you’re a fan of figure skating, it will be great, but even if you’re not, it’s a terrific cause," she said. "Even a little money can go a long way and can help a child get needed medication or help an AIDS orphan get food and clothing.”

Blades Against AIDS is hosted by the Rye Figure Skating Club and sanctioned by United States Figure Skating. Tickets for the show are $5.00 for students and $10 for adults and can be obtained in advance by contacting bladesagainstaids@gmail.com or calling (914) 462-0011.

Becca Lieb is a junior at Mamaroneck High School.

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