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Piney Orchard Figure Skaters Honor Top 2007 Skaters

Article by Steve Barrett

The Piney Orchard Figure Skating Team of Odenton honored their top skaters for the 2006-2007 figure skating season during their annual banquet held recently in Crofton. Team president Debbie Risher hosted the annual event for the second straight year at her home.

The Piney Orchard Figure Skating Team presented its 2006-2007 awards to skaters recently during a pool party in Crofton. Award recipients are: (front row l-r) Sydney Behling of Millersville, Crofton's Lauren Bulger, Emma Ford of Hanover and Annapolis' Ariana Alexander, (second row) Allison Fortney of Millersville, Devin Brooks of Fort Meade, Grace Bloomfield of Sherwood, Riva's Laura Seal and Crofton's Lauren Risher. Niki Newcomb of Glen Burnie stands behind Broomfield and between Brooks and Seal. (Photo by Chris Jenkins, POFST).

The team's top skating award - the Skating Achievement Award -- was shared by two POFST skaters - Allison Fortney of Millersville and Ariana Alexander of Annapolis. The award is given to the skater(s) who clearly stood at the top of the team as an accomplished skater in competition and/or testing. In other awards, Riva's Laura Seal earned her second team award of her skating career, capturing the POFST Outstanding Perseverance Award. Seal was the 2004-2005 recipient of the team's Superior Improvement Award. Another repeat winner was Fort Meade's Devin Brooks, the 2003-2004 Superior Improvement Award winner. This year, Brooks shared the 2006-2007 Diligence Award with Grace Bloomfield of Sherwood. The award recognizes the ultimate determination of skaters to achieve their goals. The 2006-2007 Superior Improvement Award -- presented to the skater that showed greatest improvement in any area of skating (freestyle, dance, and/or synchro) -- went to Millerville's Sydney Behling. Niki Newcomb of Glen Burnie earned the Admirable Sportsmanship Award, while Lauren Bulger of Crofton and Hanover's Emma Ford shared this year's Esprit de Corps award, presented annually to the skater(s) who demonstrate a positive attitude both on and off the ice. Figure skating coaches of Piney Orchard skaters selected the winning skaters for the six major team awards. Linda Monney, Figure Skating Director of the Piney Orchard Ice Arena and the POFST head coach, made the presentations. In addition to the six major awards, Coach Monney also presented axel pins to skaters who landed a consistent axel this year (at least three) either in lesson, practice, or competition, as witnessed by a coach. This year, three Piney Orchard skaters - Lauren Risher of Crofton, Grace Bloomfield and Ariana Alexander - earned the pins. In all, 32 POFST skaters have earned the axel award since it was first presented in 1998. Risher also made a special announcement recognizing the team's only graduating senior for 2007 - Megan Stilling of Crofton. Stilling was unable to attend the festivities. The South River High School Graduate will be attending classes this fall at Anne Arundel Community College and has enrolled in the architect program. Team Vice President Gretchen Levine then acknowledged team members who earned their 5 and 10 year longevity with POFST. Recipients of 10-year pins were the Barrett family members (Steve, Rachel, Megan, and Alexandra) of Odenton. The Barretts join Chris and Carli Jenkins of Arnold, team coach Linda Monney, and former team coach Robin Neumann as the only 10-year members of POFST. Earning five-year pins were Devin Brooks, Becca Dyer of Crofton, and the four Simmons family members (Ron, Kate, Audrey and Billy) of Odenton. Team President Debbie Risher also presented her board with thank you gifts for their time and energy. The board members are Vice President, Shannon Pedersen; Treasurer, Jami Wilson; Secretary, Susan Bloomfield; Membership Chairperson, Gretchen Levine, Publicity Chairperson, Linda Newcomb and Webmaster, Beth Stephenson.

Allison Fortney of Millersville and Ariana Alexander of Annapolis shared the 2006-2007 Piney Orchard Figure Skating Team "Skating Achievement Award," presented annually to the skaters who clearly stood at the top of the team as an accomplished skater in competition and/or testing. The presentations were made at the POFST's annual awards banquet earlier this month. (Photo by Linda Newcomb, POFST) Laura Seal of Riva accepts the 2007 Piney Orchard Figure Skating Team's Outstanding Perseverance Award from Piney Orchard Figure Skating Director Linda Monney during the team's annual award banquet held earlier this month. It is the second major award Seal has earned in her time at Piney Orchard - she earned the team's Superior Improvement Award in 2005. (Photo by Linda Newcomb, POFST). Niki Newcomb of Glen Burnie holds the Piney Orchard Figure Skating Team's Admirable Sportsmanship Award which she earned during the 2006-2007 season. Newcomb was presented the award during the team's annual award banquet held earlier this month in Crofton. (Photo by Linda Newcomb, POFST).

And what's a party witout cake? It was a lovely one and topped off a perfect party.

New POFST Jacket Order Form Available

For those wishing to purchase a POFST team jacket, a new order form is now on line. Just click the following link to download the POFST Team Jacket order form.

POFST Enjoys Successful Reach for the Stars Spring Invitational

Fort Meade Post Commander Col. McCreedy and Mrs. Kenneth McCreedy along with The Fort Meade High School Color Guard graced the opening ceremonies for the “Reach for the Stars” Spring Invitational at Piney Orchard Ice Arena on Sunday, April 15, 2007. Several flag bearing members of the POFST Figure Skating team complemented the ceremony where over 260 figure skaters from Maryland and surrounding areas competed. The annual Ice Skating Institute endorsed event featured individual, pair and team competitors from ages 4 to 50+ who enjoyed a full day of serious fun. Registered competitors received complimentary skate related items. Sales of tee shirts, flowers, baked good as well as several raffle/silent auction themed baskets will go help support the Piney Orchard Ice Rink and its Figure Skating Team’s yearly community, social and competition events. The Piney Team earned a Second Place Trophy for overall events. Individually, in the 6-year old categories Lila Perry of Crofton captured a Gold medal and Lauren Bulger of Crofton a Bronze. Lauren Bulger also brought home her second Gold this year in 6yr Delta Spotlight. Hannah Rock of Pasadena earned a Gold medal for Delta 10yr olds. In the Spotlight division 9yr old Allison Fortney of Millersville earned a Gold medal with Rylie Nobis of Crofton earning a Silver for 10yr olds, while Athena Mellis of Severn took Gold for 14-15yr olds. The Piney Jump and Spin Teams earned Bronze medals in Pre-Alpha Delta – Yellow Team, Freestyle 1&2 Red Team, Freestyle 3&4 Green Team, and Freestyle 5&6 the White team. Jennifer Christie of Stevensville earned a Silver Medal for 11-12yr Artistic 5, Melissa Stanley of Millersville took the Bronze in 14-16yr Artistic 5, and Jessica Kennedy of Crofton took the 1st place Gold for Artistic 7. Piney Orchard’s Junior and Senior Youth Snychro teams both wore Gold medals home. The adorable Parad”ice” Production team earned their third Silver medal. In the Freestyle(FS) categories Level 1 for 8yrs saw Sarah Jane Levine of Ft. Meade earn a 3rd place Bronze. Allison Fortney of Millersville captured her third Gold medal this year for FS1 and Madeleine Pedersen of Crofton earned a Bronze medal in 8-10yr FS2. In FS3 (8-9yrs) Sydney Behling of Millersville captured a Silver medal while Rebecca Jerome of Crownsville took the Bronze. Niki Newcomb of Glen Burnie took home the Silver in her FS3 event (13-15yrs) with Athena Mellis of Severn taking the Bronze. Grace Bloomfield of Sherwood Forest earned a Gold medal for FS level 4 (10yrs); Audrey Simmons of Gambrills earned a bonze in FS4 (11-12yrs). Lauren Risher of Crofton captured her second Gold medal this year in FS4 (12-13 yrs) while Sarah Haines of Crofton earned a Bronze, and Ty Miranda of Arnold brought home a bonze for FS4 (14-16yrs)

POFST's 2006-2007 Board Members

President - Debbie Risher - president@pofst.org Vice President - Shannon Pedersen - vicepresident@pofst.org Secretary - Susan Bloomfield - secretary@pofst.org Treasurer - Jami Wilson - treasurer@pofst.org Membership Chairperson - Gretchen Levine - membership@pofst.org

The pofst.org e-mail addresses for Board members are being revised to provide more flexibility when the responsibilities change hands. The previous addresses for our President and Treasurer are still usuable, but you may want to update your address book to reflect the new.