Skaters’ Debut At Fundraiser Is A Success

By Kendra Bobowick

With arms flung out for balance and sweat trickling beneath their T-shirts, competitors at Saturday’s skate park fundraiser pounded their boards along the ramps. Hitting slopes with enough speed to drive skateboarders into the air where they crouched or twisted, the participants all hoped for a high score in various contests.

Jake Enriquez’s momentum brought him up, then off, the ramps arranged beneath the pavilion at Dickinson Park as he concentrated past the music from The Risk’s trumpets and drums. The band was one of many playing throughout the afternoon while Donate To Skate coordinator and event organizer Lori Capozziello greeted parents, children, and guests who had come out to support the effort to raise money for a skate park in Newtown. “I am thrilled by the turnout of skaters and spectators,” she wrote in an e-mail following the event.

More than $6,000 in donations offset the overhead for the fundraiser, and adds to other contributions, including pizza sales and other concessions. Ms Capozziello is encouraged to see a growing volunteer base, and to see faces in the crowd including First Selectman Joe Borst, Selectman Herb Rosenthal, and Legislative Council member Chris Lyddy.

Skater Andrew Tousignant would love to see a park built in town, he said. He and friends now travel to Vertigo Skate Park in Brookfield. With a park in town, he said, “We would all be better at skating.” Lisa Torres said her son has recently taken an interest in skating. She came to the event to “see what it was all about.”

Relieved that the day brought so many visitors to the park, Ms Capozziello said, “It’s a big crowd.” In her e-mail she continued, “The sun shined on our parade.” In fact, rain surrounded Saturday’s sunshine with thundershowers on Friday and Sunday.

With the riffs of live music and scraping sounds as skaters banged the ramps and rails, spectators and parents crowded around to watch the exhibition and enjoy the afternoon.

In a blur of motion, many participants tried their moves Saturday, no longer confined to a private home or parking lot, but showcased at Dickinson. Dylan Depersia put a hand up to his helmet while he reviewed the course and eyed the route he hoped to complete. Bobbie Hughes kept his balance on the rails, while off to the side, Anne Solomon of New Hope Community Church collected signatures on a large posterboard from those who supported the skate park.

Pivoting off the lip of the ramp, Chance McMahon rushed downward, with his white, skull-covered helmet flashing. Wearing his Anti-Hero T-shirt, Kevin Maillet stated that the afternoon was “pretty cool.”

Fueled by her nervous energy and excitement, Ms Capozziello stepped from beneath the pavilion to glance as her son, Tom, slid along the rails on his board in the lot down hill from the tennis courts.

Two boys among the younger crowd were also in the lot holding onto their boards. Jared Robertson and Elias Enriquez watched the older teens as they skipped off the ramps or finished a spin. As his mother greeted guests, Tom Capozziello wore his Donate To Skate T-shirt and showed off what practice can do. Neil Berthier’s shirt screamed, “Street Dogs” and the words flashed when he twisted in the air. In all, the afternoon brought much-needed funds and awareness to building a skate park in town.

For more information, visit DonateToSkate.com.