Joel Begins New Career - Disney On Ice: Frozen!

Wednesday, July 15, 2014 began like any other day.  The kids skated in the morning at the World Arena and went home for lunch.  At 12:30 pm, an email came that changed Joel's life.  He was offered a role in Disney On Ice's new show, Frozen!

The next few days were filled with excitement, packing, and taking care of details.  Joel played his last hockey game with Bleed Hockey and his team, The Misfits, won the Championship Game!  He said good-bye to friends and his little hockey students too.

Dalilah and the pair skaters gave Joel a send-off party and Joel and Annabelle skated pairs together for one last time on Saturday morning.  It was an emotional day.  The kids realized they really loved skating together for the past six years and would miss one another.  A few tears were shed.

On Sunday, July 20, Joel took his Senior Moves in the Field test, passed, and became a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist.  He said good-bye to his coaches and friends after the test.   Ryan and Dalilah and Eddie had all done so much for Joel, but they were also happy to send Joel off.

Bruce Hurd has sharpened Joel's skates since he was a little kid.  

After getting his skates sharpened and going out to celebrate tests passed and Ananbelle's and Joel's birthdays at Red Robin with our family and friends Paul and Judy Steiner , Joel and I took a bike ride together.  We talked about how Joel was about to begin a new chapter in his life as we rode.

The next day, Joel boarded a plane for Florida to begin rehearsals.  The show opens September 4 in Florida and the tour mostly will be on the east coast.

The hard work Joel has done for years in skating have made this opportunity possible. Congratulations Joel!  I am so proud of you!

Tests Passed 7-20-2014

Sunday, July 20, 2014 was a happy day for Joel and Annabelle!  Annabelle passed her Novice Free Skate test and Joel passed his Senior Moves in the Field test!  In addition, Joel became a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist!

Congratulations on passing the Senior Moves In The Field test

Jul 21 at 8:31 AM

Dear Joel,

Congratulations on passing the Senior Moves In The Field test!

The U.S. Figure Skating test structure is the backbone of participation in figure skating, and you should feel extremely proud of this accomplishment. Each U.S. Figure Skating test that you have passed is a permanent achievement that goes on your U.S. Figure Skating record.

Passing your senior test means that you have achieved the highest accomplishment in testing, and you have now earned the title "U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist." You will carry this title forever. You can put it on a coaching resume, your college application, and even job resumes. You should use it with pride.

Fewer than 1,000 members of U.S. Figure Skating pass the Senior Moves in the Field test each year. In approximately 6-8 weeks you will be receiving a gold certificate, a gold lapel pin and a congratulatory letter recognizing your accomplishment. In addition, you are now eligible to purchase our Gold Test jacket available through the U.S. Figure Skating online store.

U.S. Figure Skating's Athlete Development Committee is interested in what it took for you to reach this achievement, and how you participate in figure skating. So, we are asking you to take a survey and answer some brief questions about your skating. The information you provide is anonymous and confidential. If you recently passed more than one test, be sure to fill out the survey for each one. Each test level in every discipline requires different amounts of practice, coaching, and ice time. Your feedback about what it took to get to this level is extremely valuable in developing the future of our sport. By answering this survey you will help U.S. Figure Skating get to know our athletes better and develop tools and programs in the future to help athletes like you get the most out of our sport.

Click here to take the survey: Survey Link

As a thank you for completing the survey, and in recognition of your accomplishment, you will receive a coupon code for 40% off of a gold test jacket in U.S. Figure Skating's online store once you finish the survey.

Congratulations again on passing your test, and best wishes for a bright and long future with U.S. Figure Skating.

Sincerely,

Samuel Auxier
President
U.S. Figure Skating

Rebekah Is Learning Adagio Pair Skating!

Now that Rebekah has passed her Senior Pair test and Senior Free Dance test, she's learning Adagio and having a blast!

I especially like her back flip over Larry's head and back! I also think it is "so cool" when Larry spins her around over and over again or when he holds her above his head with one arm and when she is upside down. Go Rebekah!

 

• Thank You Dalilah Sappenfield For Making Rebekah's Five Gold Medals Possible!