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HamSkate 2012: Late Nite on ice

By Jack Cartwright '15

Given the typical, often repetitive, party scene students at Hamilton College experience on Friday nights, many were excited at the proposition of skating in the Sage Rink last Friday night.  That is exactly what Alexandra Orlov ’13 anticipated when she started the HamSkate tradition two years ago.  An active participant of the Hamilton College Figure Skating Club, she cites her desire to spread her love of skating to others as the main reason she started HamSkate. 

“During my sophomore year, I decided to apply for Late Nite funding for the first HamSkate because I love skating and wanted to share that love with others,” Orlov said.  “It’s not about being good at skating—it’s just about having a good time with friends, dancing to music, and laughing at epic wipeouts.” Orlov clarified that she too wipes out all the time. 
That was exactly the appeal that drew so many people to the rink last Friday night.  This year’s organizer, Hannah Tessler ’14, said “I think that people generally have a blast at HamSkate, which is one of the reasons we’re willing to put in the work to host it every year.” 

Additionally, each year, the club invites an a cappella group to sing on the ice to add to the fun of the night.  This year, Duelly Noted performed and Orlov said that Duelly Noted “killed it” this year, despite poor acoustics in the rink.

Organizing the event required a significant effort on behalf of the Figure Skating Club.  They had to figure out how to arrange for enough skates for participants to use, reserve the ice for that night, and get an a cappella group to sing.  Nevertheless, the members of the Figure Skating Club were motivated to do the hard work necessary because of the event’s popularity in the past.     Orlov ’13 noted that an indicator of just how successful the event was this year was the mere fact that “we ran out [of skates] within about twenty minutes.”  Each year, Orlov ’13 said “ Clinton Arena generously loans us its supply of rental skates, and unfortunately there are always too many interested students and not enough skates.”

Students Rebecca Gaines ’15 and Tori Fukumitsu ’15 enjoyed the event.  It was Gaines’ first time attending.

“I thought it was nice that a lot of people came out to enjoy the night on the ice,” she explained.

Although there were not enough skates for Gaines to borrow a pair, it did not stop her from going out onto the ice with the shoes she had on. 

Fukumitsu had fun at the event as well.  He suggested that there should be more HamSkate events. 

“Open skate times are inconvenient, and those people without skates are unable to use the ice.” 
He added that it would be a good idea for groups to fundraise at HamSkate by asking those people participating in the event to contribute to certain causes.

HamSkate’s success this year all but ensures that the tradition will continue next year.

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