Meryl Shackett a
"Creativeskater", for July/August 2010
By: Elizabeth Hollett Shackett
“Mom, is today a skating day?”
This is a daily question from my daughter. What joy it brings to answer, “yes it is!” Many times I have given a song and dance to buffer the disappointing answer of “no, not today…” This edition of Skater of Month is about Meryl Shackett, age 3.
Seeing life through my child’s eyes now includes figure skating, a huge part of my own. Meryl’s discovery of the ice has been so enjoyable to watch. I simply wish for her to try hard and have fun. She is all smiles while experiencing the unique gifts of the ice like the feeling of gliding and curving while expressing oneself. Not surprisingly, her favorite things to do on the ice are dancing to music and skating as fast as she can.
Meryl has been skating with me since she was two years old and started in a Learn-to-Skate program this past September at age 3. She enjoys learning the basics with her peers and has had some great coaches like Suzy Semanick-Schurman, Heather Hilgar Samantha Hunter, and Christy Stowell. She has been most influenced by their enthusiasm and passion for skating.
Meryl has been lucky to meet many renowned skaters like Olympic medallists, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto. Their fame is unbeknownst to my 3-year-old as she refers to them as her grown up, skater friends and that she wants to invite them over to eat blueberries!
Meryl’s first program to music is by The Wiggles, an Australian children’s band and television show. Her first showing of it is at the end of July and she is most looking forward to being announced with a resounding “ladies and gentleman!” and for the applause of audience at the end of her performance. She also performed in a Learn-to-Skate Holiday Show last December and her first ballet recital was in June. |
