Eliot Hosts Skating Benefit

With grace and ease, approximately twenty-five skaters of all ages and abilities took to the ice at the Bright Hockey Center last night for the 26th annual "Evening with Champions."

Sponsored by the Eliot House Committee, the ice-skating show has raised over $1.6 million for the Dana Farber Cancer Foundation's Jimmy Fund over the last quarter century.

"I've come many years in the past, and it's always been good," said Cheri S. Goldstein '94, who was among the more than 2,000 spectators who thronged to Bright Hockey for the opening show last night.

Last night's benefit performance was the first of three scheduled for this weekend. All proceeds from the event support the Jimmy Fund's efforts to combat childhood cancer and leukemia.

This year's program showcases both amateur and professional singles and pairs skaters. Among those featured in the program are 1993 and 1995 U.S. National Bronze Medalist Tonia Kwiatkowski; 1985 U.S. National Champ and 1985 and 1986 World Bronze Medalist Tiffany Chin; and 1964 and 1968 Olympic Champions Oleg and Ludmila Protopovov.

The program is hosted by 1992 and 1993 U.S. National Champions Calla Urbanski and Rocky Marval.

This year as in the past, two Harvard undergraduates will skate in the performances.

"It's a Harvard tradition that undergraduates [who] figure skate donate their time to the Jimmy Fund because it is such a great cause," said Paul F. Frey '97, who took to the ice last night.

Notably absent from this year's program are Nancy Kerrigan and Paul Wylie '91, both of whom have starred in past shows.

Co-organizer Grace M. Wu '96 said their absence will have little effect on ticket sales. "The show started without them and we couldn't expect them to stay forever," she said.

Co-organizer Kimberly L. Pedersen'96 added: "The show is going back to its tradition of having rising champions."

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Ludmila Protopov, who has participated in the event for the past seven years, said she did so because it is "our obligation to help the children."

"You just can't beat that feeling of knowing that you are helping others," Laura Gayton added.

The show is the culmination of many months of hard work by the Eliot House Committee. Approximately half of the house members are involved with the show in some way, organizers said.

Co-organizer Grace M. Wu '96 expressed her gratitude to the house, saying, "Our committees have been wonderful, dedicated and enthusiastic about what they are doing."

Organizers say the event will be broadcast nationally on PBS.

Prior to Sunday afternoon's performance, the figure skaters will spend time skating with children from the Dana Farber Institute. There will also be an ice cream bash following Sunday's show for the performers and children from the institute.

Tonight's 8 p.m. performance is sold out. However, tickets are still available for tomorrow's 1 p.m. performance.CrimsonJohn C. MitchellKELLY O'GRADY, a four-year-old, was the youngest skater for the second year in a row.

The show is the culmination of many months of hard work by the Eliot House Committee. Approximately half of the house members are involved with the show in some way, organizers said.

Co-organizer Grace M. Wu '96 expressed her gratitude to the house, saying, "Our committees have been wonderful, dedicated and enthusiastic about what they are doing."

Organizers say the event will be broadcast nationally on PBS.

Prior to Sunday afternoon's performance, the figure skaters will spend time skating with children from the Dana Farber Institute. There will also be an ice cream bash following Sunday's show for the performers and children from the institute.

Tonight's 8 p.m. performance is sold out. However, tickets are still available for tomorrow's 1 p.m. performance.CrimsonJohn C. MitchellKELLY O'GRADY, a four-year-old, was the youngest skater for the second year in a row.