Skating for a cause

On March 9th, 2014, Georgia Glastris and her fellow skating friends hosted FrenchieSkate 2014 to benefit the campers of North Star Reach. After the show we took a moment to talk to Georgia about the event and her passion for helping others. For more information and photos of FrenchieSkate 2014, click here.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Georgia Glastris and I am a Junior at the University of Michigan.  I am studying Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience and getting a minor in Spanish.  I am the reigning and 3x Greek National Champion.  I have competed at the World Championships 3 times and at World Junior Championships 3 times.

– How did you find out about North Star Reach?

I heard about North Star Reach from a great friend of mine, Lisa Knysz.  I was talking to her about the idea of FrenchieSkate and how I wanted to help kids have a better day, in specific kids at C.S Mott’s Children’s Hospital.  She recommended that I get in contact with North Star Reach and I was beyond thrilled.

– What is the best thing about helping these kids go to camp?

There are so many incredible things about helping these kids go to camp! I have to say the first was knowing that we are helping kids gain the ability to just be kids, because EVERYONE deserves that.  The second was that it was so much fun putting on FrenchieSkate.  I know the cast and myself had a blast putting the show on and it felt like the audience did as well.  The most amazing moment though, was after the show getting to meet some of the campers and seeing how much fun they had at the event as well.  It was all for them and it was incredible to get to meet them and have so much fun with them.

– What inspired you to organize this event?

I was inspired to do FrenchieSkate for many reasons but mainly because of my friends.  FrenchieSkate is in memory of my late friend Francesca Persico.  When Frenchie was younger she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer.  When her cancer came out of remission I spent many years going with her and holding her hand as she received chemo.  Being with my best friend in the hospital really opened my eyes to how valuable every single day is and how hard it is for kids who are in the hospital.  When she passed the first day of our 4th grade year, I wanted to do something to keep her memory alive.

Along with our classmates we began FrenchieFest, a carnival at Skokie Elementary School in Winnetka, IL.  As entry into the carnival, one had to bring clothes or toys.  All of which were donated to Frenchie’s Closet at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, to the oncology floor where Frenchie received her treatment.  12 years later, FrenchieFest is an annual event at Skokie School.

When I was in high school I wanted to continue to find ways to support Frenchie’s Closet which was when I began FrenchieSkate.  The first annual FrenchieSkate was in 2010 in Chicago.  4 years later, I wanted to bring FrenchieSkate back to life.  I have now relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan for both school and skating.  I am incredibly lucky to get to train at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  At the Detroit Skating Club I train alongside some of the best figure skaters in the world.  These skaters are not only incredibly talented but they have become my best friends and my family.  The thought of doing a second FrenchieSkate came about when I looked around me and realized what incredible things we could all do together.

Here’s to FrenchieSkate 2015!