STURGIS - The 69th annual Sturgis ice carnival featured the Sturgis Figure Skating Club and its achievements throughout the year. This was the first time back skating in front of an audience of family and friends since COVID-19 had forced the club to not have a traditional carnival. The carnival hosted the theme, Just Skate, A Dance Party on Ice at the Sturgis Skating Arena on March 5 and 6.
Heather Tunbridge-Jaeb was head coach and had the responsibility of coaching all CanSkate skaters throughout the year. Andrew Wasylenchuk was responsible for editing and creating the music, while Doreen Gulka and Amber Strijak sold flowers at the two-day carnival. Tara Romanchuk was the mistress of ceremonies for the evening.
Romanchuk, president of the Sturgis Figure Skating Club, welcomed everyone and acknowledged all volunteers who helped make the carnival a success. “We are very excited to be back on the ice and performing this year. The skaters have worked hard to learn new skills, while practicing old ones and perfecting their routines for the ice carnival, all while battling cold weather and the ongoing pandemic,” she said. She went on to give a few words of thanks to those who helped out during the year and the ice carnival.
"I am very proud of all the skaters who all did amazing. I am so proud of each and everyone of them and their routines that they performed," said Heather Tunbridge-Jaeb.
O Canada and opening remarks kicked off the evening and afternoon performances.
First on the ice were senior star skaters, who skated to Footloose, including: Kylie Babiuk, Mollie Jaeb, Savannah Olson, Layla Jaeb, Amrie Seerey, Ripley Pristie, Karley Buchinski, Myrandah Gagnon, Savannah Neilson, Chloe Jansen and Jainylle Gagnon.
Next on the ice were stage five girls. Maycee Johnson, Lindy Romanchuk, Lakyn Seerey and Jade Beatty skated to Dancing with Myself.
Stage four and five boys who performed to Moves Like Jagger, were: Austin Jansen, Grady Lario and Stanley Prokulevich.
Star skater Amrie Seerey skated a solo to Classic.
Skyler Casselman and Aria Foster, stage one girls, performed a duet to Twist and Shout.
Eva Romanchuk, stage six skater, performed to What Makes You Beautiful.
Bria Binkley, stage two skater, performed a solo to Try Everything.
Stage one boys Bentley Lario, Anthony Prokulevich and Chance Will skated to Rock Around the Clock.
Layla Jaeb, star skater, skated a solo to Raise Your Glass.
Stage four girls Cruz Jaeb, Lilly Kinneard and Karlee Boychuk performed to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
Karter Johnson, stage six skater, performed a solo to Everybody.
Leo Yachyshyn and Jaxxon Kelly, stage two boys, skated to YMCA.
The star skaters Kylie Babiuk, Mollie Jaeb, Savannah Olson and Jainylle Gagnon took to the ice after intermission to skate to Shut Up and Dance.
Stage four skaters Lilly Kinneard, Cruz Jaeb, Karlee Boychuk, Grady Lario and Stanley Prokulevich skated to Hey Baby.
Star skaters Layla Jaeb, Myrandah Gagnon, Ripley Pristie, and Amrie Seerey performed to Dynamite.
Stage one skaters Chance Will, Aria Foster, Anthony Prokulevich, Skyler Casselman and Bentley Lario skated to Can’t Stop the Feeling.
Leo Yacyshyn, Bria Binkley and Jaxxon Kelly, stage two skaters, performed to I Like to Move It.
Ripley Pristie skated a solo to Chandelier.
Chloe Jansen, Savannah Neilson and Karley Buchinski skated to Please Don’t Stop the Music.
Stage five skaters Jade Beatty, Lakyn Seerey, Austin Jansen, Lindy Romanchuk and Maycee Johnson skated to I Gotta Feeling.
Jainylle Gagnon skated a solo to Treat People with Kindness.
Eva Romanchuk and Karter Johnson, stage six skaters performed a duet to Hit Me With Your Best Shot.
The performance concluded with a grand finale skate that featured all the skaters.
Randy Bileski won the gift certificate wreath raffle.
