Welcome to our first issue of SkyBlast for the 2023-2024 season. We cannot wait for another phenomenal year of hard work, competition and fun.
We would like to extend an extra special greeting to all of the new skaters joining the Skyliners family. Our returning skaters can vouch for the incredible memories and lifelong friends you will make as part of Skyliners.
And welcome back to all the skaters who continue to make Skyliners one of the top teams in the nation and the world!
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Skyliners relies on parent volunteers and all families are required to participate in at least two volunteer roles during the season.
If you have not already signed up for your volunteer commitments for this season, please fill out the form ASAP.
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Skyliners has launched a new website that includes a Bulletin Board with links to important news and information. Please make sure to check this helpful page often to stay current on the latest updates. | |
Pep Rally! Pep Rally!! Pep Rally!!! | |
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Excitement is building for Pep Rally on October 28th! We look forward to the whole team coming together for a full day of skating, celebration and Skyliners spirit.
During the day, we will gather at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford, CT. Each line will showcase their program(s) for the first time. The event is filled with Skyliners spirit wear, delicious treats and team cheers for the skaters.
The festivities continue at the nearby Italian Center of Stamford for dinner and an auction. The Pep Rally Auction is our primary annual fundraiser and we appreciate the support of all our families.
For more information about Pep Rally and how to contribute, please click here:
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Save Your Sneakers for Senior | |
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The Senior line is participating in a national fundraising effort. Please help if you can:
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SNEAKER FUNDRAISER: The Senior line will be collecting gently used sneakers for an eco-conscious, community-building fundraiser. More details to follow but please start saving any old sneakers you have and would be willing to donate.
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SPONSORSHIP: Business, individual and alumni sponsorship is a great way to support the Senior line. To connect about sponsorship opportunities, please email info@skylinerssynchro.com.
Although it is our practice for fundraising efforts to benefit all of Skyliners and not individual lines, our Senior skaters face unique financial challenges. Some are college students juggling school and Skyliners tuitions. Others are recent college graduates paying skating fees on their own while starting new careers. As a result, we are making an exception and allowing the Senior line to fundraise to reduce their international competition expenses for the upcoming season.
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Board Introductions and Updates | |
Skyliners welcomed five new board members this year. | |
Gabrielle (Gabby) Breslow
Gabby's daughter, Jaynie Rankin, skates on Preliminary Black. This will be her third season on Skyliners. On the board, Gabby writes SkyBlast and press releases. She is also available to help out the line moms in NYC and CT. Outside of Skyliners, Gabby works as a social worker and lives in Manhattan.
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Naki Chun
Naki's daughter, Madelyn Chun, skates on the Novice line. This will be her third season on Skyliners. As a board member, Naki helps spearhead our spirit wear efforts. When she is not cheering for Skyliners, Naki is a full-time teacher and loves spending time with family, cooking, and hiking with her goldendoodle Cooper. Naki lives in White Plains.
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Aleksandra (Sasha) Lokshina
Sasha's daughter, Sonya Vaninskaya, skates on the Novice line. She has been a part of Skyliners for 10 years. On the board, Sasha tracks SafeSport compliance for all line parents and board members. In addition she helps with our data management efforts. Outside of Skyliners, Sasha works for Morgan Stanley. In her free time she likes to travel and explore new places. Sasha lives in New York City.
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Anna Lundberg
Anna's daughter, Maya Lundberg, skates on the Intermediate line. This will be her fifth season on Skyliners. Anna will be supporting the board with the annual audit. When she is not helping with Skyliners she spends her time working, traveling, hiking and reading. Anna lives in New Canaan, CT.
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Dawnlena (Dawn) Malone
Dawn's daughter, Leighton Malone, skates on the Pre Juvenile Black line. This is her third season with Skyliners. On the board, Dawn co-chairs our spirit wear efforts. She also coordinates New Jersey line parents. Outside of Skyliners, Dawn is a Director of Housing, managing six senior housing properties for low income New Yorkers. She loves traveling, reading and watching Korean and Chinese dramas. Dawn lives in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
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In addition to our new board members, we wanted to highlight that Missey Dweck is taking on a new board role this season. As Line Parent Supervisor and Parent Liason, Missey is available to support and advise line parents and families with any questions or concerns. Please look for Missey at practices to say hello and approach her with anything Skyliners you might want to discuss. | |
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The Skyliners board also includes the following:
Officers
- Lawrence Cooke, President
- Gina Ilardi, Secretary
- Masako Sparks, Treasurer
Directors
- Josh Babb, Director of Synchronized Skating
- Betsy Cohen, Fundraising
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Eunjin Park, Travel and Pin Coordinator
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Jill Schneider, Apparel
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Ben Vallieres, Webmaster and Contracts
Please reach out to the board at any time with thoughts, suggestions and concerns about the organization.
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Attention all alumni skaters! This season Skyliners is excited to deepen our alumni programming. Stay tuned for more details about the following:
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ALUMNI REUNION GATHERING: Please join us on November 24th from 7-9pm at the All Star Bar & Grill at Chelsea Piers CT. You can watch the Senior line practice from the bar while you gather with other alums.
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ALUMNI JACKETS: We will be creating our first ever alumni jacket available for purchase. Parents, this would be a great holiday gift for your recent (or not so recent) graduate.
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COLLEGE TOUR PEP RALLY AUCTION ITEM: If you are currently a college student and would like to donate your time by giving a private tour of your college campus to a Skyliners skater, please email auctionteam@skylinerssynchro.com or fill out the donation form here.
For more information and to be listed in our alumni membership database, contact alumnimembership@skylinerssynchro.com or click:
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Throughout August and September, our Senior through Preliminary lines gathered for summer bootcamps. Skaters worked hard to improve their skills, learn the season's program(s) and bond as teammates. We look forward to seeing their efforts pay off this year! | |
Summer Splice and Slice of Splice | |
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Another successful Summer Splice Synchro Camp is in the books! Our elite guest coaches did not disappoint on and off the ice. We had just under 100 skaters joining us this year for Summer Splice and Slice of Splice.
Our younger skaters enjoyed learning the basics of synchronized skating with Coach Sarah and Coach Nina, along with special instruction by Coach Josh and Coach Pam. The older skaters benefited from a pairs clinics taught by former pairs skater, Jonathon Hunt. Both groups had fun with on-ice movement lessons by Douglas Webster and Collin Brubaker as well as off-sessions by hip-hop dancer Carlos Netos and former Rockette Karen Mitchell.
A huge thank you to our senior skaters, Alyssa, Cassady, Emily and Calla who volunteered their time and skills to help on the ice with the younger skaters.
We held a successful spirit and used dress sale and many skaters went home with beautiful test dresses for the upcoming season. If you missed the sale and are in need of dresses, click here.
We heard from many skaters about schedule conflicts with Summer Splice and we are thinking of moving it to mid-May next year. We welcome any feedback you have about the scheduling of this event. Keep watching your email and SkyBlast for additional information.
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Optional Clinics and Freestyle Ice Sessions | |
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Remember that clinics and freestyle sessions are available starting in September. The following options will be offered:
TEAM USA DEVELOPMENT CLINICS
- Open to Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Senior line skaters.
- Clinics taught by Coach Josh Babb.
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Sessions offered alternating weeks at Codey (Tuesdays) and Harvey (Wednesdays).
SKILLS AND DRILLS
- Open to Preliminary, Pre Juvenile and Juvenile skaters.
- Clinics taught by Coach Avidan Brown.
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Sessions offered alternating weeks at Codey (Tuesdays) and Harvey (Wednesdays).
FREESTYLE ICE
- Open to all Skyliners.Skaters are welcome to bring their coaches.
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Sessions offered at Rye Playland on Sunday mornings.
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For specific dates, times, pricing and to register, click here: | |
Support Skyliners when you shop at Minted and Oliver's Labels. | |
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Buy holiday cards, stationary, invitations and more!
15% of the sale will go to Skyliners when you use the coupon code that was emailed to families.
In addition you will get 20% off.
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Your source for colorful and durable personalized labels.
20% of the sale will go to Skyliners when you purchase using this link:
OliversLabels.com/Skyliners
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Skyliners prepares skaters to compete at the highest level of synchronized skating locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. We offer training both on and off the ice to develop our athletes from the beginner through elite levels. Now in our 23rd season, Skyliners is one of the top synchronized skating teams in the country. This season Skyliners is 15 lines strong with over 250 skaters. Our resume of achievements includes 33 eastern championships, 16 national championships, and 8 international gold medals. Our Junior line has made history with two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Junior World Championships. | | | | |
