Hillsborough residents Laura Kearns and Kristina Congiusta were two of 32 New Jersey skaters awarded scholarships for outstanding accomplishments on June 8 at the Mennen Arena.
Skaters, who competed in the Regional, Sectional, and National Championships of the United States Figure Skating Association, qualified for the 2003 New Jersey Council of Figure Skating Clubs Competitor’s Assistance Scholarship Awards. The awards ceremony took place at the 40th N.J. Council of Figure Skating Clubs Championships. The New Jersey Council is an inter-club association within the United States Figure Skating Association.
Laura, who represents the Skating Club of Bridgewater when she skates, is a 15-year-old in the ninth grade at Hillsborough High School. A seasoned competitor, Laura will compete in the ice-dance category with partner, Jon Klein, at the Novice level. Laura has competed at the Junior National Figure Skating Championships for the past three years, twice at the Juvenile level and once at the Intermediate level. She plans to achieve three gold medals. The skater is also a volunteer at Saint Bernard’s Pre-School and a member of the Hillside High School Class Cabinet.
Kristina, also a 15-year-old, represents the Skating Club of Bridgewater. She has competed for the past four years at the North Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships, most recently in the Novice singles events. Kristina also competes in gymnastics, and won five medals at the 2000 New Jersey State Championships. An honor student at Hillsborough High School, she was selected for a nationally competitive program in 2002, the John Hopkins University Program for Gifted and Talented Youth. The skater also volunteers, assisting a master-rated coach, in teaching group lessons at Bridgewater Sports Arena where she trains.
