Fort Polk Families lace skates, show moves at CYS event

Photo By Chuck Cannon | Jenna Mallon, Child & Youth Services Sport and Fitness Program Specialist, (left) and Alexis Gasby, CYS Sport and Fitness Program associate, dance to the music at Skating Through the Decades event between handing out skates to participants.  

FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

03.06.2020

Story by Angie Thorne 

Fort Polk Public Affairs Office

By ANGIE THORNE
Guardian staff writer

FORT POLK, La. — Remember skating (or wobbling) to your favorite tunes while jamming out to music and having fun with your friends? Good times, right? At least that’s what Fort Polk’s Child, Youth and School Service’s Youth Sports planned for when they hosted Skating Through the Decades — a skating event held at Siegfried Youth Center Feb. 29. The event was open to the public and all ages were welcome to skate, as well as dress in the garb of their favorite decade to compete in the costume contest.
Jenna Mallon, a CYS sports and fitness program specialist, said she and her coworkers are always brainstorming ideas to provide kids with safe, fun and inexpensive opportunities to play.
“Skating seemed like the perfect activity. Then we had to come up with fun themes for them and their families to enjoy while skating,” she said.
Mallon said events like this are especially important because it means Fort Polk Families don’t have to travel off post to have a good time.
“At CYS, we specialize in children, but this event is the perfect opportunity for Families to spend time together, too.
Elizabeth DeKam, a Fort Polk parent, said much of the fun took place before the skating event began.
“My daughters, Faith, 12, and Daisy, 11, chose the eighties as their decade because of the big hair, blue eye shadow and wild neon colors. We had great time getting ready. They said they learned that it (the 80s) was the decade where bigger was better,” she said.
DeKam said Daisy told her that if she (DeKam) could do this every day while growing up, then they (her daughters) should be able to handle it for one day.
Daisy said she loved seeing what her mom dressed up like when she was her age.
“I love the way we did my hair. We used so much hair spray. Now that we are here, I also love singing to the music while I skate,” said Daisy.
Faith said though she liked putting her 80s style outfit together with her mom and sister, she enjoyed skating because it gave her a chance to hang out with her friends.
DeKam said between the stress of home life, school and all the activities they take part in, it’s important for military kids to let loose, have fun and relax thanks to events like this.
Vanessa Blalock, 13, said she dressed up with clothes somewhere between the 80s and 90s.
“I love my ripped jeans and the skating is so much fun, especially in the dark with the colored lights all over the gym,” she said.
Tiffany Migi, a Fort Polk parent, said her kids don’t give up when it comes to skating.
“They might fall, but they are determined to learn to skate better. This event gives them the chance to do that while having fun. Their dad told them about this a week ago and they have been excited ever since. They are having a blast,” she said.
Angela Ortiz brought her kids to Skating Through the Decades, but her children weren’t the only ones out on the gym floor.
“Skating is a tradition in my family. I started skating when I was 4. We were so excited when we heard about this event because skating means so much to us.
“We love it,” she said.
Jody Fowler, CYS, said events like Skating Through the Decades help the Fort Polk Families have a good time together.
“We want parents to have opportunities to do fun things with their kids and make memories that will last a lifetime,” she said.
Fowler said skating camps are in the works for kids who want to master skating.
“The exact dates haven’t been set yet, but interested parents should be on the lookout for this learning opportunity around June. The camp is a great chance to help kids get ready because we will probably have another of these skate events this summer as well,” she said.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2020
• Date Posted: 03.06.2020 14:26
• Story ID: 364654
• Location: FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US