Synchro News – December 2011

Competition News: The Achilles Edge Intermediate team brought home the Silver Medal when it came in 2nd at the Terry Conners Open in Stamford, Connecticut on December 4th. The Intermediate team continued its winning ways in Bourne, Massachusetts, picking up the Pewter Medal for 4th place in the very competitive Cape Cod Classic. The team also improved its previous score, clearly showing that it is a contender at the Intermediate level. Congratulations to our pirate crew and their captains!

Ice Shows: Both the Intermediate team and the Beginner team showed off their new programs for the home crowd at the Albany FSC Winter Ice Show at the Bethlehem YMCA on November 27th, and the Beginner team was featured at the Clifton Park Holiday Recital on December 16th. We hope you were able to see your synchro teams in action at these shows.

AFSC Members on Other Teams: AFSC member Jessica Bloustein-Marshall, a resident of New York City, joined the Open Adult synchro team Gotham City Synchro, sponsored by the Skating Club of New York. The team competed for the first time this season at the Terry Conners Open, coming in 3rd and earning the Bronze Medal. Congratulations, Jessica! Also, the nationally-recognized University of New Hampshire Collegiate Team, which includes Achilles Edge alumna Quinn Desiderio, took the Gold Medal at the Cape Cod Classic. Way to go, Quinn! It was good to see you and your family at the competition.

Upcoming Events: In January, both the Beginner and the Intermediate teams will compete in the prestigious Colonial Classic in Lowell, Massachusetts on January 6-8, 2012. The Intermediate team will also skate in the Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships in Hershey, Pennsylvania on January 26-28, 2012. If you see our hard-working synchro skaters, make sure to wish them luck in these major competitions.

Hewitt’s Holiday Fundraiser: Time is running out for you to pick up your coupons for Hewitt’s fresh Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias. Coupons are good at any area Hewitt’s store, and can be used any time before Christmas.

A coupon for a 6 ½ “ florist-quality poinsettia is only $8, a coupon for a 24” fresh balsam wreath is only $13, and a coupon for a fresh cut balsam tree is only $49. While the prices we are offering are the ones you will find in the stores, there is no tax when you order from us, as we are a not-for-profit organization. A portion of the purchase price will benefit the AFSC synchro team.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase coupons for these great holiday items, please contact any Intermediate synchro family or event coordinator Elaine Briceland at 899-4294.

Calling All Collegiate Skaters: Coach Wayne Hussey is seeking collegiate skaters for a new Achilles Edge Collegiate level team in 2012-13. If you will be attending a college or university in the Albany metropolitan area next year and would like to skate on a competitive synchro team, please contact Wayne at wayneskate@nycap.rr.com.
 

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Synchro News - November 2011

Thanksgiving Classic: Congratulations to our pirate crew and its captains! The Achilles Edge Intermediate team came in 6th at the Thanksgiving Classic in Plymouth, Massachusetts on November 12th. Team members were very happy with their overall score in a very competitive field, which was the highest score they ever received at the Intermediate level. The team received some constructive feedback from the judges and technical specialists at the monitoring session, and is looking forward to improving their score at the next competition.

Upcoming Events: You can see both the Intermediate team and the Beginner team at the first public performance of their new programs at the Albany FSC Winter Ice Show at the Bethlehem YMCA on November 27th. The Intermediate program is choreographed to music from “The Pirates of the Caribbean,” and our Beginner team will be skating to music from “Rio.”

The Intermediate team will compete in the Terry Conners Open in Stamford, CT on December 3rd, and at the Cape Cod Classic in Bourne, MA on December 10th.

Hewitt’s Holiday Fundraiser: The Intermediate Achilles Edge Synchronized Skating Team is again selling coupons for Hewitt’s fresh Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias. Coupons are good at any area Hewitt’s store, and can be used any time before Christmas.

A coupon for a 6 ½ “ florist-quality poinsettia is only $8, a coupon for a 24” fresh balsam wreath is only $13, and a coupon for a fresh cut balsam tree is only $49. While the prices we are offering are the ones you will find in the stores, there is no tax when you order from us, as we are a not-for-profit organization. A portion of the purchase price will benefit the AFSC synchro team.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase coupons for these great holiday items, please contact any Intermediate synchro family or event coordinator Elaine Briceland at 899-4294.

Tight Sale: Thank you to everyone who purchased skating tights through the synchro team’s annual tights sale. Special thanks to Debbie Sgroi for coordinating this fundraiser.

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Synchro News - October 2011

Upcoming Events: The members of the Intermediate team have been working hard this month to perfect their new program, which is choreographed to music from “The Pirates of the Caribbean.” Achilles Edge will kick off its competitive season at the Thanksgiving Classic in Plymouth, Massachusetts on November 12th.

You can also see the team at its first public performance at the Albany FSC Winter Ice Show at the Bethlehem YMCA on November 27th.

Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser: The Achilles Edge Synchro Team held their popular annual Flapjack Breakfast fundraiser at the Applebee’s Restaurant in Latham on Saturday, October 15th. The breakfast, which featured pancakes, bacon, juice, and coffee, was served by our friendly synchro team members. The team raised more than $900 from this fundraiser.

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Synchro News – August & September 2011 

Introducing the 2011-2012 Intermediate Achilles Edge Synchronized Skating Team!  Members of this year’s Achilles Edge Synchronized Skating Team are: Catherine Amodeo, Emma Briceland, Aislyn DiRisio, Grace DiRisio, Julianna Drozd, Rachael Gray, Alyssa Hopsicker, Katie Howard, Taylor Kennedy, Isabelle Lombardi, Stephanie Lombardi, Danielle Sgroi, Amie Skoda, Lukas Sotola, and Jordaan Van Oort.   The coaches are Wayne Hussey and Stephanie Hunter. The team has an exciting, fast-paced program this year, choreographed to music from “The Pirates of the Caribbean.”  Achilles Edge will kick off its competitive season at the Thanksgiving Classic in Plymouth, Massachusetts on November 12^th.  

There are still openings on the team for experienced skaters!  If you would like to join our medal-winning team this season, contact Tara DiRisio (439-2240), or Dawn Hopsicker (357-0934).  

Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser:  The Achilles Edge Synchro Team will be holding their popular annual Flapjack Breakfast fundraiser at the Applebee’s Restaurant in Latham (555 Troy-Schenectady Rd.) on Saturday, October 15^th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.  The breakfast features all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon, juice, and coffee, all served by our friendly synchro team members.  Tickets are only $5 each, and may be purchased in advance from synchro team members; tickets are also available at the door.  All proceeds benefit the synchro program.  We hope to see you at the breakfast!   If you have any questions or would like to purchase tickets, please contact event coordinator Pat Clancy (518-295-8615).   

Tights Sale Fundraiser:  Stock up on skating tights and help support the synchro team.  Achilles Edge is once again sponsoring a tights sale.  A variety of popular Mondor styles are available at great prices.  Orders are due by September 30^th.  Contact Debbie Sgroi at for more information.

Synchro Choreography Weekend:  The renowned synchro choreographer and coach Benoit Venne once again choreographed the Intermediate program and returned to coach the Intermediate team for two intensive practices on August 13^th and 14^th.  Benoit, who has choreographed programs for a number of high level synchronized skating teams in both the U.S. and Canada, and who choreographed the amazing Lion King program for Achilles Edge this past season, worked with the skaters and taught them the entire synchro program in just two days!   The team thanks Benoit for his skill and enthusiasm, and looks forward to another successful season with a great program.  

Garage Sale Fundraiser:   The synchro teams held a very successful garage sale fundraiser on Saturday, August 27^th, raising over $600 for our synchronized skating program.   A big thank you goes out to the Lombardi family for organizing and hosting the sale, and to all the families who donated items and helped at the sale.  We couldn’t have done it without you!