16th Annual PraiseFest hosted at LaHaye Ice Center
4/30/2025 10:00:00 AM | Figure Skating, Synchronized Skating
32 programs were featured in this year's PraiseFest, showcasing a wide variety of emotions and skills
Liberty University's Synchronized Skating and Figure Skating Team's hosted the 16th annual PraiseFest on Saturday, welcoming a crowd of students, alumni, parents, and skating fans to the LaHaye Ice Center for an afternoon of showcasing talent and the joy of Christ.
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"Seeing more of the community and more of Lynchburg come out each year is so heartwarming," Lady Flames Synchronized Skating Head Coach Hannah Pulley said. "We can reach people who do know Christ and who don't know Christ, and we get to show that through our program and through our skating, and to enjoy something that we put so much effort into."Â
This is the fifth year that Synchronized Skating Assistant Coach Haley Gram has led the operations of this event.Â
"This show means a lot because we have the opportunity to skate in front of the home crowd of family, friends, community, and students," Gram said.Â
Figure Skating Head Coach Courtney Kirschke said it was an amazing opportunity to get the word out to Lynchburg about the skating teams at Liberty and to draw in a new audience every year. Â
The event was opened by a combined skate from both the figure and synchronized skating teams, performing to the song "The Truth" by Megan Woods. Next, sophomore figure skater Rachel Duncan skated to "Oceans" by Hillsong United.  Â
Grad student Hailey Jordan performed her final individual skate to "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. Senior synchronized skater McKenna Powers followed her with a skate to "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. Â
Figure skating seniors Rachel Berger and Greta Snukis performed a Disney-inspired duo skate to the song "The Great Divide" by Thriii, a song featured in the Tinkerbell franchise. Senior Emma Richards performed an emotional trio skate, accompanied by Berger and Kirschke, to "Outro" by M83.    Â
The program continued as senior figure skater Shaeleigh Stewart performed to "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Katie Williams followed that with an energetic performance of "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel. Â
The final senior group number was choreographed by Richards and Jordan. Richards is the co-captain of the figure skating team, and Jordan serves as the spiritual leader of the Synchronized Skating team. Â
"(The seniors) were happy and sad at the same time, but most of them have come to the point where they are happy with what they have done and given to the teams and have gotten the closure they need to move on to the next phase of their life," Gram said. Â
By Amory Doyle/Student Writer; Club Sports Video & Media department video
Players Mentioned
