Listen to the ice show music that defined this FSH era
Samantha Smith-Wallace (‘00)
Samantha’s Story
There were about 10 to 15 students, all girls. The age range was between 6 and around 12. We actually attended an after school program called Upward Fund on 120th Street. It was an after school program for all the kids in the community to go to. We were interested in the ice hockey group, well the boys, and we would watch them play. Then, Ms. Bernice came up with this idea. She asked us if we wanted to learn how to ice skate. We didn’t think much of it. So, Ms. Bernice showed us clips of figure skating and taught us different things about the sport, and soon enough, we were interested. That's when we met Sharon. Before we started skating, Sharon would meet with us and teach us about the history of ice skating or how to lace up a boot. Once she introduced us to Debbie Thomas during the history lessons, it was like, okay, game on. We knew of figure skaters, but not a Black figure skater. That day, everybody was like, “Wait Black people do this? We do this?” That’s when we started thinking we can do it, we can do the same thing as Debbie Thomas. Seeing her win gold medals was really inspirational. Then, we were introduced to the actual ice skating rink, and that's when we would walk to Lasker Rink.
Before it officially became Figure Skating in Harlem, we wore purple and teal. We had jackets and we used rented skates. That happened for about two or three years until the program officially became Figure Skating in Harlem in 1997. That's when we got the gear and Sharon introduced the black Figure Skating in Harlem coat with the logo of the woman on the ice skates. That's also when we started going over to Riverbank and we were a little more advanced on the ice. We were taught spins and jumps.
My younger sister and I skated together in shows. She wasn't that good in the beginning, but once she advanced to our group, we did duets. I was really appreciative of that and knowing she was skating because she saw I enjoyed it. That's how we've always been. I would start something, and she'll just be like, “I'm not interested in that” and go her own way. Or if she liked what I was doing and liked the way it was shaping me, she would want to try it out. I feel like that's helped her out in life now. She's always been like, “I want to do X, Y and Z, because if Sam can do it, I can do it.” So, I feel like Sherrie definitely joined because I was there, but she took the reins and I'm proud of her.
Kristalyn Williams (‘02)
Kristalyn Williams is originally from Harlem, New York and attended Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications. She is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Underwriting Officer of North America Financial Lines at AIG, an American multinational finance and insurance corporation. Kristalyn is active in many organizations in her community. She is a part of the Order of the Eastern Star of New York, a Freemason organization with stated goals of charity, fraternity, education, and science. Additionally, she serves as Co-Chair of the Figure Skating in Harlem Alumnae Board. Kristalyn currently lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.
Sherrie Smith (‘02)
Sherrie Smith is an alumna of the very first Figure Skating in Harlem class. Raised in Harlem, she spent over a decade with Figure Skating of Harlem into her adolescent years. After high school graduation, Sherrie received a scholarship to attend Northeastern University where she earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a double major in Accounting and Finance. Sherrie is currently a Vice President in the Finance Division at Godman Sachs, primarily focusing on Regulatory Financial Reporting.
Outside of work, Sherrie is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, as well as a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Sherrie remains close to FSH today as an advisory board member. In recent years she was featured in Skating Magazine, appeared on NBC’s television show, Positively Black, discussing her FSH impact, and she was a panelist representing FSH at the United Nations/US Chamber of Commerce Association’s “Women’s Empowerment Principles” Forum.
Amy Perry (‘03)
Amy A. Perry was a student at FSH from 1997to 2003. She graduated from Spelman College in 2011 with her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and from Vanderbilt Law School with her Juris Doctor in 2016. She is currently practicing as a Corporate Health Law Attorney in New York City and is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Amy credits FSH with teaching her the importance of discipline and dedication; she has carried these values with her into her career and other aspects of her life.
Tessla West (‘06)
Tessla West first joined Figure Skating in Harlem in 1994, before it was an official program, at the age of 6. She was always remembered by Sharon as “chicken legs” because she had skinny legs. Tessla, attend FSH for 10 years. While a student in FSH, she was required to maintain a B average in her academics. After graduating from the program and obtaining a B.A. with a concentration in Accounting from DeVry University, Tessla became a Property Controller within the real estate industry.
Britni Lindsay (‘08)
Britni Lindsay was awarded the title of a founding member of Figure Skating in Harlem when she graduated from the program in 2008. She went on to graduate from the Borough of Manhattan Community College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Since graduating she has been an Associate Teacher, Head Toddler Teacher, Office Manager and is now a Health and Safety Director for one the country's leading childcare solution companies. She credits her career path to the counselors and instructors of FSH. The nurturing environment and opportunities that FSH provided with programs like "Speak Up" and "Career Week" fostered the ability stand firm in one's beliefs and a desire to be a voice to those who are still discovering who they are. Britni is a mom and is glad to be gifting her daughter with the same opportunity she had, as her daughter leads on her own journey with FSH to discover who she is.