FROM TOP: FSH fans Tamara Tunie, Sasha Cohen, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, and Liz Cho; Tamara Tunie with an FSH participant.
An organization that supports academic excellence, builds self-esteem, instills leadership qualities, combines artistry and athleticism, focuses on young girls in my own community—this was what I was in search of 12 years ago. It was my desire to work with an arts program that also offered a very strong academic component and that served young girls in Harlem. The stars aligned, and Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) won my heart.
FSH began as a female-focused response to Ice Hockey in Harlem. Former competitive figure skater Sharon Cohen (no relation to Sasha) admired the achievements of the hockey program; when she approached the program’s director she was told that there was a group of girls who wanted to learn the art and discipline of figure skating, and was asked if she wanted to help establish a program for them. For six years, Cohen volunteered her time to teach these girls, and after seeing the high level of interest in the sport and witnessing the students’ academic benefits and success, she formally established FSH in 1997. She approached me about joining the first board of directors of this unique organization, and it was love at first discussion!
FSH serves Harlem girls ages six to 18. They sign a contract at the beginning of each season in which they promise to maintain a B average or better in their schoolwork. They also agree to certain standards of behavior, such as punctuality, attentiveness, cooperation, and teamwork. The program provides tutoring and homework sessions, counseling, nutritional education, public-speaking classes, dance classes, and cultural exposure, plus a Career Week that introduces the girls to possibilities in the workforce. It is the only program of its kind in the world, and has garnered the support of Olympic and professional skaters including Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, and Sasha Cohen.
The highlight events of each year are the Ice Show, where the girls can really strut their stuff, and the Skating with the Stars gala, which takes place on April 6. Past galas have welcomed such attendees as Donald Trump, Kelly Ripa, and the stars of [my own show] Law and Order: SVU.
Over the years I have watched my little ducklings evolve into swans! FSH girls have won scholarships to private prep schools and full rides at distinguished universities. And yet they always return, year after year, to mentor and support the girls coming after them. For information on how you can get involved with FSH, visit figureskatinginharlem.org.
