FEATURE: First Stride Family Skate Night a success on and off the ice

Adonis Freeman, a poised 11-year-old from Ogden International School in Chicago, stepped onto the ice with burgeoning confidence, head held high.
Gabriel Pena, a joyful 10-year-old from North Lawndale, circled the ice with a broad smile and a growing feeling of acceptance.
It was First Stride Family Skate Night at the MB Community Ice Arena on July 17 and the youngsters' mothers could not have been more proud of their sons.

"Now that he has been skating, he pays a little bit closer attention to the Blackhawks," said Patty Pena. "He says: 'I need some pads, I need my helmet.' I didn't expect him to really enjoy it as much as he does. He is not as good yet, but I can see that every time I talk to him he says: 'I can go a little bit farther' without the little walker that the kids have. He is proud of himself."
Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said he had the MB Community Ice Arena built with the intention of attracting young people and families from all over, including the South and West sides of Chicago, when the Hawks were not using the facility located near the United Center.
"A lot of organizations will say they are in the community, but this really is," said Patty Pena regarding the Blackhawks. "They have opened their doors to everyone, and it is nice to see families from all walks of life."
The Family Skate Nights were initiated this year. The skates are a continuation of the First Stride program where CPS schools are invited to M.B. Ice arena for 4th and 5th grade skating field trips. Over 5,000 students will skate at the facility with the First Stride program over the 18-19 school year. Now it's the whole families turn.
"We wanted to invite the family-siblings and parents-for free," said Samantha Ratty of the Blackhawks Fan Development department. "The Family skates are an opportunity for the students to come back to MB Ice Arena and share what they've learned with their families."
Young Blackhawks star Alex DeBrincat was on the ice on July 17 with the families, mingling and assisting skaters to remain upright.
"I think it is a great opportunity to give families something to do throughout the summer," said Freeman's mother, April Carswell. "It doesn't have to be winter to be able to ice skate. This has been pretty neat, a great opportunity."

Adonis Freeman has been skating for about four years, beginning at the Blackhawks' Winter Wonderfests at Navy Pier. He even has advice for other young people who may be thinking about learning to ice skate.
"At least have fun with it," he said. "If you fall down…it's your first time, so I was falling down a lot when I was doing it. But now I am kind of good."
Javier Lopez, a physical education teacher from Torres Elementary school in Chicago, has had his students involved in the Blackhawks' GOAL program and First Stride for the past three years.
"Since the GOAL program, hockey has been the most key activity in P.E. class," Lopez said. "They love the game, they are learning more. And I am learning more. I didn't play hockey when I was young. I watched it. But going to clinics and the (Blackhawks) clinics, I am learning from that. And this is building my profession. It is something extra that I do. I really love it and I am so happy to be part of their program for the past three years. It has been so amazing."
Lopez, who brought his two young daughters with him to the Family Skate Night, recalled the initial reluctance of some of his elementary school students before their first experience on the ice.
"Honestly, I had half the students scared," Lopez said. "Some were saying: 'Should I go, should I not?' Then we came here and I brought all of my fourth-graders and my fifth-graders. And they loved it. They said it was the best field trip they ever had. Their skating surprised me. I said: 'This is the last thing I could see yourself doing.'
"But it was awesome to see these kids, and for the Blackhawks to give them this opportunity. It's hard (to learn how to skate). I am having trouble, too. But it is a great thing for them to build their confidence. Then the good thing is that the students that I brought last year…they are invited next year again. So it is the same group that keeps coming and building up their skills."
Patty Pena said the program has been a life-changer for her son, Gabriel.
"We live in North Lawndale. There aren't many hockey players that come from North Lawndale," she said. "Just to see other kids out here that are kids from, you know, the neighborhood or school that are part of the program, really makes this arena feel like it is part of the community.
"We are a Hispanic family from here in Chicago, so hockey is not one of those sports that made our short list. But he took to the ice, and to have the staff that is out there to help him, and the people at the front desk who say: 'Here, let me help you….'
"They really boosted his self-esteem. When he speaks to his family or his peers, he now says: 'Well, I skate and I am learning how to play hockey.'
"It's not just a cool sport, but it is something that you have to be good at. And it has really helped with that self-esteem to have a sport that he enjoys.
"We are really happy here. When he skates he is skating with a smile and he's excited. He is just so proud of himself. As parents, with so much going on, you try to find things that really connect with your kids. Sometimes when the obvious sports like soccer, basketball…the things that are out there with the park district…when those don't connect, you say, 'What else?'
"I would have never thought in a million years that it would have been hockey. But he really enjoys it."