Skating Stars To Perform For Breast Cancer Awareness

In observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Breast Cancer Survival Center (BCSC) will present An Evening of Remembrance and Celebration at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 21, at the Terry Connors Ice Rink, Cove Island Park, Stamford. This very special event will include the reading of names of those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a performance by 13-year-old singing sensation Kirby Asunto, and an ice show featuring many outstanding national and international skating stars.  Elizabeth Stern of Stamford will be skating in honor of her mother, Marlene. In 2008, Elizabeth was given the opportunity to skate in the Philippine National Championships where she was recognized as the National Champion and has proudly represented the Philippines in every competition from June 2008 to May 2010. She has competed in many international competitions in Germany, Austria, Romania and at the Four Continent Championships in 2009 in Vancouver, Canada. Elizabeth currently attends Northeastern University studying psychology and business. Christine Merolla of Wilton has been skating competitively for eight years and currently competes at the Junior Ladies level. Christine recently competed in the 2011 State Games of America in San Diego, California where she earned both bronze and gold medals. On October 21, she will  perform her gold medal Artistic program to "Ava Maria." Christine is currently in the 11th grade at Wilton High School.Kirystn Nanista, a 13-year-old from Norwalk who attends St. Aloysius School in New Canaan,  finished second in the North Atlantic Regional championships for intermediate level skaters .She has been a Junior National competitor for the last two years. Last year she placed 16th in the nation. This year she will compete at the Novice level representing the North Atlantic Regions. Kirstyn started skating at  Terry Connors Rink in Stamford when she was a toddler and has been competing since she was 4. Her mother, Rose, who teaches skating at Connors, started her in the sport.The Shadows are the senior most team skating for the Southern Connecticut Synchronized Skating organization (SCSS). This group of talented skaters competes at the Open Juvenile level at the local and regional level.  Representing the Skating Club of Southern Connecticut, the program draws skaters from lower Fairfield County and skates out of Terry Connors Rink in Stamford and is strongly supported by the Southern Connecticut Synchronized Skating Parent Organization.In the 2010/2011 season, The Shadows brought home a medal from every competition they participated in, including winning Gold at home at the Terry Connors Open and Platinum at the prestigious 2011 Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships in Lake Placid, NY.The Shadows are looking forward to continued success this year and are honored to start the season off with a performance for such an inspiring cause. The Shadows roster for the 2011/2012 season is: Isabel Duncan, Emily Hernandez, Klara Hoherchak, Katie Marciano, Emily Merole, Hannah Nilsson, Katrine Ryan, Megan Stevenson, Katrina Vassell and Candace Wright.Samantha Cesario is a 3-time regional champion as well as a two time Sectional Champion. She has qualified for nationals three times and is currently on Team USA. She has been representing the U.S. internationally in the Junior Grand Prix circuit and just won the bronze medal in Poland. She will be continuing her journey on the Junior Grand Prix as she travels to Tallin, Estonia this week.  Danielle Montalbano and Evgeni Krasnopolsky have been skating together for 3 years and are the Israeli National Pairs Champions . They have competed in two World and European Championships. As international competitors they have traveled to Croatia, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Estonia, Italy and Austria. They recently competed in an international competition in Germany placing 9th and will be competing in France and Germany this up and coming season.  Tickets for the October 21 Evening of Celebration and Remembrance are $10 per person, and may be reserved in advance through Jeff Stern, Grand Estates, 441 Summer Street, Stamford. Phone 203-539-1701. Checks only, please. Tickets will also be available at the door. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to add names to the remembrance list. The Breast Cancer Survival Center, a 501 (c ) non-profit organization, offers post-treatment support and education for survivors and their families. It operates as venues generously donated by Norwalk Community College, Soleil Toile in Westport, the Wilton Library, and other locations throughout Connecticut. For more information on BCSC and its programs, e-mail or call 203-857-7304.