Music from “Star Wars,” “The Little Mermaid,” “High School Musical” and “Footloose” played as skaters took the ice Sunday afternoon. Skaters with inflatable guitars, pool floaties and lightsabers mixed traditional figure skating moves with dancing inspired by the films.
All of the choreographed songs were part of the IU Figure Skating Club’s spring ice show theme “Movie Memories.”
Junior Katherine Cole, vice president of the club, is in charge of picking the theme for this year’s show. She started with three themes she found interesting, and after asking the rest of the club, decided on songs from movies because of their emotional appeal.
“You have to pick something that fits your personality and makes you feel comfortable on the ice,” Cole said.
Sophomore club member Ashley Horner, who has been skating since she was 6 years old, said she decided to do her solo to a song from a Bollywood movie.
She did a similar program several years ago and wanted to bring it back because it was so enjoyable, she said.
“It’s so much fun,” Horner said. “The music is so unique and different. You can do a lot with it.”
Senior Karen Tom, president of the club, said she also planned her music a while ago. She picked a song from the movie “Bride Wars” that embodies the feeling she wanted to portray in the last solo she will skate with the club.
“I heard it at my high school graduation and thought it was perfect,” Tom said. “It’s about growing up and moving on.”
All of the seniors were presented and given a rose at the end of the show, which commemorated that their time with the club came to an end.
The best thing about being a part of the club is being able to continue an activity that she loves to do through college, Horner said. The connections created through a shared hobby make the club feel like a home.
“It provides a way to unwind and make friends,” Tom said. “This club allows me to keep skating but not competitively. It’s not a huge time commitment. You make out of it what you will.”
Tom and Cole would not have become good friends if not for the club, they said. When Cole was a freshman, she had never met Tom, and now Tom is going to be a bridesmaid in Cole’s wedding.
“The feeling you get on the ice and the bonds you make with people are indescribable,” Tom said. “When I’m having a bad day, I get on the ice for practice and all my worries go away.”
