TIMOTHY GOEBEL ATTENDING 9-11 COMMEMORATIVE IN GREAT NECK’S STERGIOUPOULIS ICE RINK!!

HOW CAN A YOUNG SKATER PERFORM ON TV WITH NANCY KERRIGAN AND OTHER OLYMPIANS?

PRACTICE–AND BY AUDITIONING AT A TALENT SEARCH IN GREAT NECK, NEW YORK

     Great Neck, NY, September 7, 2006 — The New York/Long Island area’s best figure and hockey skaters between the ages of 4 and 19 can audition for a chance to perform on the ice at Nassau Coliseum with the world’s top skaters, including two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan, Olympic Champion Oksana Baiul, Long Island’s own Debra Gibson and many more, at the Stars, Stripes & Skates’ Future Talent Search to be held at Stergiopoulos Ice Rink in Great Neck on September 14th.

     The junior skaters will be judged on performance only, not on technical skill, with the competition being held in an “American-Idol” type format with the audience participating in the selection of their favorite skaters.  A total of six Future Talent Searches are taking place in the Northeast this year, with approximately 15 skaters from each venue earning their way to Nassau Coliseum.  These events lead to an ICEtravaganza on October 22^nd, which will benefit the Heritage Foundation of 9/11, a not-for-profit organization founded to keep alive the memory of 9/11/01 by providing educational materials to youngsters and through the production of the annual Stars, Stripes & Skates events.
     Timothy Goebel, who attained an Olympic bronze medal in Salt Lake City nearly five years ago, will be making a special appearance to sign autographs and take photos with the children who are trying out.  Goebel, dubbed the “Quad King” for his uncanny ability to land quadruple jumps, won the U.S. title in 2001 and the World silver medal in 2002 and 2003. He was the first American to land a quad in competition and the first skater to land three in one program.
     The favorites from the six tryouts will skate in a group performance in front of an estimated 10,000 people at Stars, Stripes & Skates 2006, which will take place at Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale on Oct. 22, 2006.  The victorious junior hockey skaters will take part in an on-ice relay with hockey players from the NYPD, FDNY and various NHL teams. 
     Tara Modlin, founder of the Heritage Foundation of 9/11 and executive producer of Stars, Stripes & Skates noted, “For the fifth consecutive year, we are providing the aspiring skaters a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the spotlight with the sport’s greatest stars - - and appear on television, as well!!  In addition, the interactive format of our tryouts encourages the young skaters to bring their family and friends to support them on their way to Nassau Coliseum.”
     For further information about participating in or attending the Talent Search, purchasing tickets to the Nassau Coliseum show or to make a donation to the fund, please call 212-481-8484 ext. 338 or email SSS@fireworksics.com.
Modlin further pointed out that as one of the main commemorative events on Long Island, Stars, Stripes and Skates has the full support of the volunteer fire departments from Great Neck, Hicksville and Dix Hills, among others.
Background On Heritage Foundation of 9/11
The Mission of the Heritage Foundation of 9/11 is two-fold: (1) To maintain awareness of the 9/11/01 tragedies among the current and future young generations of Americans by publishing and producing 9/11-related educational materials for youngsters all over the country; and (2) To create events to provide survivors of the 9/11 attacks with opportunities to tell their stories to younger generations of Americans.
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