By Joseph Young
WI Contributing Writer
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Fifteen-year-old Emeatabong Morfaw is a promising figure skater. Because she has been skating since the age of 7, she has mastered the more elementary moves. And she enjoys helping out other skaters, who have less experience than she does.
Morfaw, an Eleanor Roosevelt High School student, won first place in the 2006 International Theatre On Ice Competition in the junior division, held in the John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass. Morfaw is sharpening her skills at the Fort Dupont Ice Arena’s summer sessions in Southeast Washington.
The Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena are celebrating 10 years of service. The Ice Arena is the only public, indoor ice ring in the District.
“We service 10,000 kids a year,” said Dolly A. Davis, program manger for the Ice Arena, which took over the management of the Ice Arena from its owner, the National Park services. The Ice Arena’s skating activities include hockey, figure and speed skating.
Like Morfaw, Gregory Freeman is in the Ice Arena’s summer program. “I like speed skating because you can go fast with control,” said freeman, 10, a sixth grader at Saint Michaels in Silver Spring. “I like everything about speed skating.” Suliman Abdullah agreed. “I like to go fast. It is a lot of fun,” said Abdullah, 10, and friend to Freeman. “I like to work on my technique. Skating also keeps me cool. It’s cool.”
There speed skating coach, Nathaniel Mills, who was a former speed skater for the United States in three winter Olympics Games - in 1992, 1994, and 1998 - is a familiar face to the world of skating. Mills was a former 1000-meter record-holder and a U.S. champion in 1991, which he won a silver medal.
Friends of FortDupont Ice Arena Celebrate 10 Years of Service
Mills was also a co-founder of Inner City Excitement, the Ice Arena’s speed skating club. “The purpose of ICE is to get skating in more communities,” said Mills who started skating when he was 10. “The purpose of ICE is basically to strengthen families and enrich children’s lives through skating – all kinds of skating, in-line and roller blading. We had our soccer on ice today.”
Shani Davis, the United States’ first African American Olympic speed skater, was the inspiration for ICE. “Shani Davis won the gold medal, and he is the fastest speed skater in the world,” said Mills. “Shani is involved with our club. He comes to this ring and coaches the kids.”
“I like doing cross-over,” said Khangai Enkhtur, 6, a summer session participant at the Ice Arena. “The secret of speed skating is to keep the blades quiet because that means that you are going fast.”
The other important part of the Ice Arena is its summer dance program, which Morfaw is also involved. The group choreographs’ its own dance steps that combines Hip Hop and North African dance, commonly known as belly dance.
“Dance is a way to stay fit,” said Samaa Clairborne, 28, a dance instructor at the Ice Arena. “When I dance I not only translate the language of song, but I also translate the language of energy, which is all encompassing”
FortDupont Ice Arena’s summer sessions have small fees but most are free. The Ice Arena is still accepting applications. Call Dolly Davis at (202) 584-5007 for more information.