Figure Skating in Harlem

⚾️ It’s One, Two, Three Strikes You’re Out! ⚾️

FSH is OUTSIDE this summer thanks to The New York Mets’ generous donation to our summer programming. Our girls hopped on the 7 train to Queens and cheered their way through 9 innings of memories. The power of sports is resounding. Whether it’s the sound of skates hitting the ice, or a baseball hitting a bat, we are proud to invite our students to appreciate sports for everyone! 🏒⚾️💙

Last week, we kicked off our RISE sessions with 'Understanding Our Identities.'

WATCH OUR STORY FOR A CLIP!

Our participants explored the power of self-awareness and shared their unique stories. Our students reflected on the labels they use to identify themselves and were asked to explain why. They were challenged to consider the multifaceted nature of their identities and ask themselves why some labels hold more importance than others!

🌟 July is Make a Difference to Children Month! 🌟

And that's exactly what we're doing with our revamped "Summer Dreams" Program. This July, our students will dive into the exciting world of Wellbotics, where they'll build, code, innovate, and solve puzzles. 🤖💡🔧

But it's more than just technology—it's about understanding their own emotional and mental codes, and learning how to rewrite them to reach their OWN finish lines! 🧠💪✨

Join us in empowering the next generation to dream big and achieve their goals. Together, we can make a difference! 🌈🌟

🎨✨ As we kick off our Summer Dreams program, we're thrilled to announce our newest partner, Graffitti by Gabby! 🌟

Gabby, a sophomore at Harvard University majoring in economics, dreams of growing her company to fund art programs in her community. Represented by William Morris Endeavor, Gabby's impressive portfolio includes designing shoes for the NFL’s My Cleats, My Cause, Nike’s DIY with Kai campaign, and several NBA stars. 🏈🏀👟

For Gabby, her work is more than just about shoes—it's about transforming a canvas into something uniquely yours. "I was asked to do a custom shoe for one of my mom’s friends who is fighting cancer. I used an original black girl ninja character I created. She loved them so much that she wears them to her chemotherapy treatments—that’s when I realized this is bigger than just painting shoes.” 💖👟

Figure Skating in Harlem is more than just a skating program. We are dedicated to bridging the gap for women of color in sports, education, and the workplace through education, opportunities, and access to resources like these workshops! 🌟⛸️📚

Support your child's learning year-round with "Let's Learn."

Our very own FSH students will be live teaching beginner skating moves!

Tune into Let's Learn. All-star teachers present engaging, interactive lessons! Episodes and clips are streaming at letslearn.org

Thank you to Thirteen WNET New York for this opportunity!

🌞 Our summer program starts next week, so let's meet our NEW community collaborators for Summer Dreams 2024! 🌟

First up, we're excited to partner with RISE a national nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering the sports community to eliminate racial and social injustice. This summer, they'll bring customized programming to Summer Dreams. Our students will embark on five modules covering topics such as identity, equality, equity, and civic engagement. 🏅📚✨

At Figure Skating in Harlem, we believe that the ice is for everyone. The LGBTQIA+ community’s contributions to the sport of figure skating are so significant, and we celebrate the diversity that makes us all stronger. Figure Skating in Harlem proudly stands with the LGBTQIA+ community during this special month of celebration.

We’re committed to spreading love, kindness, and respect through a safe and inclusive space for everyone on and off the ice.
❤

“𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣. 𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙁𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙎𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙢” -𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖, 𝙁𝙎𝙃 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙧

Alicia joined the program when she was eight. She labels her time at FSH as 'sporadic' but a journey she NEEDED to take. In her senior speech, Alicia described herself as a 'hard-headed little girl with a lot of energy to burn,' and talked about how FSH has helped her learn to redirect her emotions into a form of art, helping her get through her toughest nights.

'𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡.'

She can see her work paying off as she stepped into the lead role in her school’s drama club this year, after spending the last three years on stage crew while simultaneously auditioning and getting into Free Skate levels. So far, she has been accepted into the following schools with scholarships:

MSV-Deans Merit Scholarship & resident scholarship

Mercy-Provost Scholarship

MSM-Dominican scholarship

Buffalo-Bangle Promise Scholarship

Alicia, the sky is the limit. Show the world what you can do!

🌟 Discover the Joy of Figure Skating in Harlem! 🌟

An award-winning afterschool program empowering the trailblazers of tomorrow!

📅 Apply today and be part of a community celebrated in The New York Times, Essence, and Teen Vogue! Get $75 off if you apply before 8/8/24!

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗪!: https://calendly.com/d/4d5-hv8-9hw/fsh-parent-and-student-interview?month=2024-06

Finishing her eighth and final season, this young lady’s persistence is undeniable! After seeing her friend leave school early to figure skate, Mahlah decided she wanted to try it too and asked her parents if she could join FSH. Her parents initially denied her request, but Mahlah persisted and kept asking! Finally, her parents agreed, and Mahlah has been thriving ever since! In her senior speech(FULL VIDEO ON OUR YOUTUBE), she says, ‘FSH opened a lot of doors for me and has molded me into the young woman I have become.' Today, Mahlah is a member of the student executive board, has progressed up to Free Skate 2, and had the opportunity to interview for a Google commercial. Mahlah testified at the NY City Council’s Budget Hearing this year, standing up for her sisters at FSH and STARS CGI! Mahlah, it’s been a pleasure and we cannot wait to see where life takes you!

The competition is heating up, but Cheyenne is ready to bring a cool breeze with her skillful ice skating! ❄️⛸️

Cheyenne joined our program at nine and stayed until graduation. Now, she's a vet technician and a proud member of our alumni board. 🌟

She's running for Ms. Harlem Shake 2024, and if she wins, she's donating the proceeds to Figure Skating in Harlem! 🏆✨

What better way to kick off the summer than by supporting a great cause? 🌞

Join us in the and make a difference with a last-minute ! For less than a $10 purchase, you can help make dreams come true! 💖

Samaya is a force to be reckoned with, a quiet student with a loud passion for service. Winner of the Community Service Award, Samaya is dedicated to her community, working in political spaces and finding ways to be involved in positive changes. In her senior speech(Full Video on our Youtube), Samaya says, 'FSH has been a constant source of support, laughter, and adventure in my life. It has taught me invaluable lessons, the power of perseverance, and sisterhood.' We cannot wait to see where life takes you, Samaya!

Let's continue this month with some !

Akyra radiates excellence and perseverance! The last time Akyra gave a speech on this stage, she was a pro at six years old. Now she is a leader and graduating alumna! Ending the academic year with a 97% average and acceptances into many colleges including Virginia State, Virginia Union, Shaw University, LGCC, York, and Medgar Evers, Akyra has shown our younger girls that you can do anything with hard work and dedication. Akyra joined FSH when she was six but took some time off due to an illness. Her drive and determination to continue in the program and excel is a true testament to our power when we believe in ourselves. In her senior speech(FULL VIDEO ON OUR YOUTUBE), Akyra says, 'This program does stay true to its goal of building a sisterhood.' The program has helped her through some tough personal times, and we are glad to continue to be here for you as you grow into your best self!

Picture one: Younger Akyra at our awards ceremony
Picture two: Younger Akyra at the academic center
Picture three: Akyra(in the pink) with her FSH sisters and Director of Skating Laura(on the far right)
Picture four: Younger Akyra at our ice show

“Our voices are used to spread love here! Letting it seep from our fingers, bounce from our smiles, and cut through the ice!”

Halle started with an original poem, an ode to FSH that took us through a visual journey of her mornings at Riverbank State Park and the importance of showing up, being present, and taking space. Halle began this program in sixth grade, took an intermission due to Covid-19, and returned in 11th grade to finish her tenure. In her Senior Speech (full video on our YouTube channel), Halle says, “FSH was my foundation of excellence in color!” Halle is a 2024 Oliver Scholar Recipient and a semifinalist for the 2024 Posse Scholarship.

Now, as a graduating senior, she’ll be building her professional skills as a counselor in our Summer Dreams program. Summer jobs are a vital resource for the young women we serve and their families. With more than 90% of our students' families in the very low to moderate income range, making money is essential to their financial well-being and independence.

Will you donate today to help us offer stipends for our seniors’ summer internships, including Halle’s, and scholarships for the younger girls in our program?

Applying herself day in and day out, Halle was also accepted into 9 colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania. Her scholarship offers totaled more than $2,500,000! Halle will be attending Williams College in the fall, where she will pursue a psychology degree to become a judge. Halle, YOU are excellence in color! We are honored to call you our alumna!

Picture 1: Senior Halle at our annual Ice Show

Picture 2: Younger Halle in our academic center

Picture 3: Halle senior speech(Full Video on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL)

“I’ve been drafting my senior speech since I was eight!” One of Nadia’s earliest memories of FSH is when her mom, a proud and dedicated volunteer, took the whole synchro team home and talked about their future senior speeches. Now the moment has finally come for her to deliver her own speech, and Nadia thanks her coaches for never putting her down or making her feel uncomfortable, even if she didn’t fit into the stereotypical "look" for skaters. Over the past twelve years, Nadia has grown tremendously. Her recent ice show performance was riveting, showcasing both sportsmanship and the art of performance! In her senior speech, Nadia says, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without all of these positive influences.”

Nadia, you have become an inspiration to the next generation; continue shining!

1. Nadia at our "There's No Place Like Home" Ice Show
2. Nadia, age six, doing her homework during our program
3. Nadia handing chocolate gold medals to Olympic champions
4. Nadia, now a senior, helping the younger girls with their academic studies
5&6. Nadia, age six, at her first ice show

Another graduating senior to celebrate this week!

Ashley mesmerized us this season as she dazzled on and off the ice. Her grace, leadership, and academic excellence make her a role model and an example of what FSH is all about. In her senior speech, Ashley said, “When I was younger, older girls showed me what leadership looks like. They showed me how to stand out by being different.”

These lessons helped her navigate the challenges of being a Black girl growing up in NYC. “FSH has taught me that my uniqueness allows me to share my story with the world and leave my mark,” Ashley says.

Last year, she was the Open Juvenile Team Captain and a cultural ambassador representing FSH on our first international trip, to South Africa.

Now as a leader, Ashley attributes the growth of her mustard seed confidence to the lessons learned in FSH and the support of her sisters. Next year, she will be attending Drexel University and skating on the University of Pennsylvania intercollegiate team. Let's give Ashley a big CONGRATULATIONS! Check out Ashley's full solo and senior speech on our YOUTUBE page!

First picture: Ashley during her solo at our annual ice show!
Second picture: Ashley and her little sister Tory when they first joined the program!

Our students repped Harlem in Albany last Thursday, meeting local officials Assemblyman Al Taylor 71 District and Senator Cordell Cleare at Lobby Day 2024! 💪🏾 What better way to inform our politicians about crucial issues than hearing directly from OUR FUTURE – the YOUTH! 🌟 They had a jam-packed day ensuring our reps understand the importance of youth development programming in the city. Especially, what our program means to THEM! 🚀
Keep an eye out, you might see one of our students in a political chair in a few years! 👀👩🏾‍⚖️🧑🏽‍⚖️

Our students repped Harlem in Albany last Thursday, meeting local officials and at Lobby Day 2024! 💪🏾 What better way to inform our politicians about crucial issues than hearing directly from OUR FUTURE – the YOUTH! 🌟 They had a jam-packed day ensuring our reps understand the importance of youth development programming in the city. Especially, what our program means to THEM! 🚀
Keep an eye out, you might see one of our students in a political chair in a few years! 👀👩🏾‍⚖️🧑🏽‍⚖️

“We are champions when we show up for each other!” - Zoe Littles-Ward

It’s time to say goodbye to the senior class of 2024…and hello to our new alumnae!
Our eight seniors are graduating and matriculating into college with
over $3,500,000 in scholarship offers! Check out some highlights from the year below and make sure to stay tuned for the rest of our AMAZING seniors!

Zoe knows the definition of commitment, having been in the FSH program since she was six years old. She learned about the program through her older sister, who was one of the first students to join FSH. Over the years, Zoe has blossomed into a leader, becoming the Student Executive Board Chair and Open Juvenile Team Captain.

In her senior speech(Check out the video on our YOUTUBE), she said, “We are resilient and strong. We are stars.” A star indeed, Zoe will be leaving FSH having competed and performed 55+ times, including her Ice Show solo. She will be attending Temple University in the fall!

Picture 1: Zoe's solo performance at our 2024 Ice Show (Check out the full video on our YOUTUBE link in our bio)

Picture 2: Younger Zoe and another senior Mahlah in middle school attending Figure Skating in Harlem!

Picture 3: Zoe's older sister(FSH Alum), Zoe, Zoe's Dad, Sharon, Zoe's Mom, and Nadia's(another graduating senior) mom

🌟 More than skating! 🌟 Working with young students gives us the responsibility to provide safe spaces for the emotional and social growth of our participants! Skating is a physical sport, but our program provides more than that!

Did you know? 90% of students felt they could engage authentically at FSH, noting they can share their thoughts and opinions knowing their voices are valued here. That means we are committed to creating spaces where our girls know their comes first!

This month, we're excited to share more about our social emotional learning metrics and how our program is changing Harlem!

✨✨ Awards! Achievements! Amazement! ✨✨

What a season to cherish forever! The air was electric with love and pride as families and friends cheered on the incredible achievements of our Figure Skating in Harlem 2023-24 participants! From laughter to tears, applause to screams, we were filled with awe as our students received well-deserved accolades for everything from community service to academic excellence, program dedication, skating progress, and more!

As we reflect on the night, let's kick things off with this stunning photo gallery capturing the magic, Shoutout to our social media team as well as Judy for volunteering your time and capturing this incredible night! 📸💫

🌟 Hi again, amazing FSH community! The Student Executive Board is back, and we're buzzing with excitement! Your generosity towards our year-end goal of $25,000 has been incredible, and with just 3 MORE DAYS left, we're counting on YOU to help us soar to new heights!

Here are 3 REASONS to make your gift NOW:

1️⃣ All gifts are being MATCHED by a generous board member until MIDNIGHT on 12/31! 2️⃣ Your gift is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! 3️⃣ Your generosity EMPOWERS us to change our lives!

FSH is not just teaching us to skate; it's teaching us to reach out to our community. Your belief in us means the world!

Thank you for being a vital part of the FSH community.

If you can, please make your gift now. 🎁

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

www.figureskatinginharlem.org/donate

From our Figure Skating in Harlem family to yours, happy holidays!

Thank you for being a part of our journey, supporting dreams, and spreading the warmth of the season.

Embracing the magic of the holiday season with FSH! From skating at Wollman Rink to dazzling tree lightings, it's the most wonderful time of the year. 🎄 As a busy senior, I'm juggling college apps, school, and leading as the chair of the Student Executive Board.

Taking this leadership role seriously, I'm reaching out for your support in our year-end fundraising campaign. We're 72% towards our $25,000 goal!

Will you please make your year-end, tax-deductible donation now to help us hit the mark? Your generosity makes a huge difference—thank you for championing our lives.

In appreciation of all you do for me & my FSH sisters,

Zoe

https://www.figureskatinginharlem.org/donate/