For immediate release

For more information, please contact

Katina Truman, krtruman@wustl.edu

(314) 935-6777

 

Metro Edge Figure Skating Club's Synchronized Skating program has changed!

Formerly known as Synchro St. Louis, this locally and nationally known skating program has a new name Saint Louis Synergy.

--With the support of a grant from the St. Louis Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative, the Metro Edge FSC brought in nationally-respected sports psychologist, Jason Selk, to work with our synchronized skating teams.  With Jason’s direction, our teams went through a series of leadership and sportsmanship sessions along with our parents and coaches.  One of the outcomes of this program was the need to develop a name and identity for the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club’s Synchronized Skating Teams.  With the support of our coaches and club leadership, we are proud to announce our new name representing our vision for synchronized skating in the St. Louis area – Saint Louis Synergy.

"Synergy comes from the Latin word synergia, meaning cooperation; which originated from the Greek word sunergos, meaning working together – this perfectly describes the Metro Edge vision for our synchronized skating teams," stated Karen Giedeman, Head Coach for Saint Louis Synergy.

Synergy plans to bring together St. Louis’ and Metro East skaters and field the following teams: ISI Tots Formation Team and ISI Advanced Formation Team, USFS Preliminary, Open Juvenile, Juvenile, and Intermediate Skating Teams.  Coach Karen commented about the new name and new symbol:

"Not only is the name, Synergy, perfect for synchro – but our new symbol – the Compass Rose, represents our vision.  The Compass Rose has an “S” in the center representing the skater – who is always at the center of our program.  The top four points on the compass represent the program’s expectations of our skaters – Scholarship, Service, Sportsmanship and Skills," reported Giedeman. "The supporting four points on the compass represent the support network for the skater:  The Core Family, Club, Coaches and Community.  When the eight points of the compass are placed together in our symbol – the skaters are reminded of their requirements and the support they have to achieve them.  In an effort to keep this top of mind with the skaters and support network, we are giving each skater a charm pin or bracelet with a Compass Charm when they join a team.  We will continue to add charms as the skaters achieve the requirements for Scholarship, Skills, Service and Sportsmanship,” concluded Coach Karen.

"Charting a Course for Success" now is the tagline that will accompany virtually all of Saint Louis Synergy’s marketing ventures. The 'Charting a Course for Success' tagline complements the Saint Louis Synergy identity and logo," says Katina Truman, Metro Edge FSC president. "Synchro is very important to our club, and we are committed to developing more than just good skaters – we are poised to develop confident and competent citizens for St. Louis, the Midwest and the Nation as these skaters leave our club for college.” Truman explained.  “Our Junior Board will be very instrumental to put the depth into this program.  The Jr. Board will select our annual charity, coordinate our Synchro Buddies, choose a Synergy mascot, plan our academic achievement party and put together a Synergy Packet for our rising high school juniors and seniors to attach to college application.”

Metro Edge Figure Skating Club started its synchronized skating program with only sixteen skaters in 1996. Since its inception, the program has grown to six teams with almost 100 skaters. Each team includes ten to sixteen skaters ranging in age from four to eighteen years old. Skaters on these teams come from all over the St. Louis and Metro East area.  A majority of the members are from the Mid-County area, but some travel from as far north as Quincy, Illinois; west from Columbia, Missouri.

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