WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Figure skaters from the Washington, D.C. area gathered on Monday to remember their teammates and coaches lost in the tragic collision between an American Airlines jet and military helicopter last month.
Skaters laced up at Capital One Arena, building momentum for the “Legacy on Ice” event just under two weeks away.
Coach Cass Cross with Team Ashburn Synchronized Skating remembered skater 14-year-old Everly Livingston.
“Her cheeks sparkled and she had joy for what skating was and what skating could be,” Cross said. “And while she was quiet, she was dedicated and hardworking. That joy never left for her.”
Everly, her 11-year-old sister, Alyda, and their parents, Donna Smojice Livingston and Peter Livingston, were all on board American Airlines Flight 5342.
“This is something that will always be with us in our hearts. It’s always something that’s going to be there. It’s going to be hard and it’s going to a while for us to you know, move on, but we’ll always remember these people that we lost,” said 15-year-old Zuri Davis, whose coach also died in the midair collision. “When I stepped onto the ice to try and do those dances, I was struggling. I would start crying.”
Davis says the support of her teammates has made all the difference.
“We just have to be there for each other. If somebody needs to take time off or needs a hug, we have to be there for each other,” said Davis.
It’s something Cross has seen firsthand in the weeks following the crash.
“These are kids, watching them lean on each other, love on each other, support each other as we find out way through, as a coach, a parent, an adult, it’s been remarkable to watch,” said Cross.
Legacy on Ice will directly benefit the families of the crash victims and first responders.
“The first responders will be forever connected to these families because of what happened. To bring them together in a way that’s healing is really important,” said Amy Mauro, executive director of the DC Fire & EMS Foundation.
“This has been deeply emotional for everyone. As the response winds down we have a responsibility to protect the firefighters who were involved in the response and make sure everyone gets the resources and the help they need. An event like [Legacy on Ice] helps us bring some closure to what happened,” said David Hoagland, president of the DC Fire Fighters Association.
“These crews worked in extremely hazardous conditions. There was jet fuel in the water, debris from the plane. They dove for several hours in icy conditions,” he added.
Legacy on Ice is set for March 2 at Capital One Arena, with tickets available online. All donations will go toward the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation, the Greater Washington Community Foundation and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation.
