Last Chance Dance Skaters: El Centro Chapter

Twirling, gliding, and grooving at El Centro Skate Rink in Federal Way! Our vibrant crew of skating enthusiasts welcomes all levels to join our wheel-tastic adventures and dazzling performances.

  • Last Chance Dance Skaters Survey Results

    Our skating family has spoken! The Last Chance Dance Skaters (LCDS) recently held a community survey to determine how best to use the funds raised from this year’s Bake Sale and June Show. While only a small number of members participated, their responses were united in purpose — every single one agreed that the money should be used to formally organize and apply for 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

    This important milestone will allow LCDS to serve as a true Booster Club for Artistic Skating, extending our reach beyond the El Centro Rink to support skaters and clubs across the region. As a non-profit, we’ll be able to raise funds, offer scholarships, sponsor skaters, and contribute to the continued growth and visibility of Artistic Roller Skating at the local and national levels.

    Among our first initiatives will be launching the Teen Skating Scholar Sponsorship program and helping cover entry fees for qualified skaters competing at Nationals. These programs reflect our belief that financial barriers should never stand in the way of dedication, talent, or passion for the sport.

    To guide this exciting next chapter, we’re inviting all skaters, families, and supporters to an Organizational Meeting on Thursday, November 20th, at noon (during the Sk8Artistic Social Skate). In this meeting, we’ll work together to establish a mission statement, elect officers, and begin the official process of incorporating as a non-profit organization.

    The Last Chance Dance Skaters was founded on the belief that it’s never too late to dance, skate, or dream. With the shared commitment of our skating family, we’re ready to roll forward into a bright future — one where every glide helps lift the next generation of skaters even higher.

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  • Spring Showcase of Skating Stars!


    Spring Showcase Coming Soon!


    🎉 Get Ready for an Unforgettable Skating Spectacle! 🎉

    This inaugural season marks a thrilling milestone for the El Centro Artistic Skating Team—we’re sending our first-ever competitive skaters to the Regional qualifying competition in Portland, OR, on Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15th! But before they hit the road toward Nationals, we’re inviting YOU to be part of an extraordinary event.

    Join us for our Spring Showcase
    📅 June 10th | 5:00 – 6:30 PM

    This special evening will shine a spotlight on our competitive team, alongside amazing performances from our class and lesson skaters. Expect dazzling routines, featured numbers from local professionals, and our GRAND MARCH finale to close out the night with style!

    🎟️ Admission: $5 per spectator | Kids 7 & under: Free
    🍿 Refreshments will be available in the Snack Bar, with proceeds supporting the El Centro Artistic Team.

    Don’t miss our “Rolling Through the Years” exhibit in the party room, showcasing photos and memorabilia that tell the rich history of our skaters. Doors open at 4:00 PM for spectators, while performers can come early to practice and warm up.

    📣 Calling All Performers & Volunteers!
    Skaters and volunteers, we need YOU to make this event a success! Attend one of our rehearsals:

    • Tuesday, June 3rd | 4:00 – 5:00 PM
    • Thursday, June 5th | 2:00 – 3:00 PM

    See Linda or Patrick to secure your spot in the show or to volunteer. Let’s make this a night to remember as we cheer on our team and celebrate the magic of skating!


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  • Achievement Testing: Striving to be Your Best!

    New Program Offers Accessible Achievement Testing

    El Centro Artistic Skating Team now sponsors a Judges Panel, headed by our own Kaydee Mounce. Kaydee has judged, refereed and tabulated competitive skating and achievement testing for many years and has brought her no-nonsense approach to assessing skating skills to all skaters interested in learning to judge tests and/or competitions, or just wish to increase their knowledge in the rules and techniques of organized roller sports.

    With this capability of having “in-house” judges, we are now able to organize seasonal “Test Centers” to offer skaters interested in the RSA Achievement Testing program the opportunity to climb the ladder of skating skills that was originally established in the 1940s. These progressively more difficult tests in all recognized disciplines of roller skating have been proven to be the best and fastest way to learn and retain the skills skaters learn each week in their classes and lessons. Many of our long-time skaters still cherish their old skating medals. This “rite of passage” has bonded skaters together for 80 years, and the pride skaters feel when accomplishing their goals establishes a habit of skating excellence that serves skaters well even outside the skating rink.

    Our first Test center was Thursday, April 24th. We tested eight skaters for a total of 22 tests, and all passed!

    In the coming season, skaters wishing to challenge themselves through the RSA Achievement Test Program https://www.rollerskating.com/roller-skating-achievement-program.html will get the opportunity to skate before judges as they reach toward their skating goals. All Class and Club skaters are invited to participate in this program. Talk to your skating teacher for more information.


    (Collection of very old test medals in a showcase at Marysville Skate Center)

    What’s a Test Center?
    A “roller skating test center” is a designated location/event in which roller skaters can take standardized tests to demonstrate their skill level and progress through different levels of proficiency, typically overseen by certified judges and following a set curriculum established by a governing body like the RSA and American Artistic Roller Skating.
    These progressively more difficult tests are available in all roller skating disciplines; school figures, dance, freestyle, speed, and other roller sports.

    Key points about roller skating test centers:

    Skill evaluation: Skaters perform various maneuvers and routines at the test center, which are evaluated by judges based on specific criteria like technique, execution, and overall performance.

    Achievement levels: Different levels of tests are available, allowing skaters to progress through a structured system and earn recognition for reaching higher skill levels.

    Competition against self: Unlike a typical competition, skaters are essentially competing against their own abilities to meet the requirements of each test level.

    Official sanctioning: Test centers are sanctioned by the RSA and SRSTA to ensure consistency and quality in the testing process.

    Cost: Achievement Tests are $8 per test. Test Candidates must be currently enrolled in classes or private lessons at El Centro Skate Rink or a member of USARS.

    Please speak to one of our professional staff for more information if you are interested in participating.

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  • Rolling with Excellence: Our 2025 Skating Scholar!

    Ivanna Otero

    Starting and stopping on skates may be a key skill—but truly stopping your passion for skating? That’s nearly impossible! No one embodies this relentless love for the sport more than Ivanna Otero, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate her as the inaugural recipient of the El Centro Artistic Skating Team’s “Skating Scholar” for the 2025 season.

    Ivanna’s skating journey has been as remarkable as it has been determined. A 16-year-old powerhouse of talent and resilience, she’s faced stops and starts in her skating career but has never let challenges slow her down. Her love for skating began in her early years in Mexico, but life’s twists and turns—including a broken arm and several major moves—meant she was reintroduced to Artistic roller skating time and again. Despite these hurdles, Ivanna’s dream of maintaining a regular skating schedule has been her steadfast goal for the past four years.

    Her story took a pivotal turn in 2023 when she met Coach Linda at SkateWorld in Tacoma. Although the rink’s closure meant Ivanna couldn’t follow her coach to El Centro in Federal Way until the fall of 2024, her commitment never wavered. Since joining the team, Ivanna has shone brightly—performing a solo freestyle skating number in her first skating show, a heartfelt piece choreographed in honor of her grandfather. Beyond the rink, Ivanna excels in academics, band, and sports, demonstrating the same dedication and drive that define her skating practice.

    Currently working toward her first Achievement Tests, Ivanna is gearing up for an exciting performance at the club’s Spring Showcase in June. The El Centro Artistic Skating Team and the Last Chance Dance Skaters Club are proud to support Ivanna’s journey with this scholarship, which includes assistance with equipment, costumes, and lessons.

    Please join us in congratulating Ivanna Otero, a shining star and the very first recipient of our “Skating Scholar” Teen Scholarship. We can’t wait to see her continue to roll toward greatness!

    Ivanna Otero
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