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Posted Oct. 12, 2002
Pasco skater earns berth to nationals
By the Herald staff
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Pasco's Karalee Calaway - skating for Tri-Cities Figure Skating Club - finished first in the Juvenile Girls division Friday at the Northwest Pacific Regional Championships at Four Seasons Arena to earn a berth to the United States Junior National Championships on Dec. 10-14 in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Calaway, 11, outskated 25 competitors to follow the footsteps of her older brother Calvin, who qualified for the 2000 U.S. Junior Nationals in Buffalo, N.Y., where he finished 10th in the qualifying rounds and did not advance.
Karalee's sister, Kendra, stands 13th after Friday's short program in the Intermediate Ladies division and Brianna Hatch is third.
Jill Sampson finished second in the Preliminary Girls B division final behind Charlotte Spencer Nelson of Seattle Skating Club.
Whitney McMillan is seventh in the Junior Ladies heading into today's
Free Skate.
SOUTHRIDGE GRAD ADEN SIGNS WITH DISNEY
By Parker Hodge
Herald staff writer
As the pen danced over the contract, a smile spread across Erica Aden's face as she became the first figure skater ever from the Tri-Cities Figure Skating Club to become involved with a professional figure skating tour.
Aden's signature on the dotted line made her an employee of Disney Stars on Ice and the 100 Years of Disney Magic tour.
The tour, which is in its second year, will make stops in the eastern and midwestern portions and Hawaii in the United States, and South America, with stops in Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Caracas.
"I've wanted to do an ice show," said Aden, a Kennewick resident and 2001 graduate of Southridge High School. "This was just an opportunity I couldn't turn down."
Feld Entertainment, the company producing the tour, met Aden for the first time earlier this year at an open tryout in Spokane. Approximately 20 people joined Aden in auditions.
Each skater is chosen not only for their on-ice talent, but also to fill a specific role in the show. Aden has yet to learn of her exact role.
Aden's contract with Disney is lengthy. She is not allowed to change her appearance in any way while she is on tour. She has a specific weight guideline that she must adhere to. If she goes over or under it, she will be given seven days to fall back within the range, or she will be dismissed from the tour.
A typical work week is 12 shows each week with 2-3 shows each day. Aden will skate six days per week with one day off, which is usually spent traveling to the next city on the tour.
The tour will begin Sept. 6 in Honolulu and will remain in the islands for 10 days. Her final performance will be approximately eight months later in May 2003.
All skaters must live on the road, and Aden will pack her essentials into two suitcases and a carry-on for the journey. Lodging will cost each skater $21 per night, which is directly taken from the skaters' paychecks. Other than occasional meals, all other expenses are paid by Disney.
"There is a lot that is required of you, that's for sure," said Aden. "But just being able to perform on this tour makes it all worthwhile for me."
Although Aden's wage is still being negotiated, the contract states most first-year performers will start at about $500 per week, with the opportunity to earn up to $2,000 in incentives and the end of the tour. In addition, if Aden signs on for a second year with the same tour, she will head to Europe and skate for eight more months there.
Aden's skating status will change from amateur to professional, but she will submit paperwork to the USFSA so she may skate in the amateur Senior Ladies classification.
And while it seems like a magical opportunity, Aden will leave her desert home with some sadness.
"It means going away for eight months and leaving my friends, family and training behind," Aden said. "I know this is going to be hard work, but it will be rewarding at the same time. It's a really awesome opportunity."
On the net: www.disneyonice.com
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