Sheri Laaksonen's adult life has been dedicated to teaching and mentoring those in the Hiawatha Skating Club in Sault, Michigan.
This past Saturday, at the 84th Annual Silver Blades Revue Hiawatha Skating Club's 'One Hit Wonder' event, Laaksonen left the Pullar Stadium one last time as a coach and mentor to skaters as young as two-years-old.
In the 'One Hit Wonder' program, the Hiawatha Skating Club Board published this statement:
'It is with immense gratitude and deep admiration that we come together to celebrate the remarkable career of Coach Sheri Laaksonen who is retiring after 52 years of dedication, passion and unparalleled commitment to the sport of figure skating and to the countless athletes she has mentored and inspired throughout her career.
Sheri is a US Gold Dance Medalist, had three Canadian Gold Dances, US and Canadian Silver Figures and Freestyle.
Sheri has successfully coached US and Canadian figure skaters ranging in age from 2 to 45 in the disciplines of Learn to Skate, Power Skating for figure skaters and hockey players, US Pre-Preliminary through Gold Skating Skills, Singles, and Ice Dance. She has coached four skaters through earning their Gold medals in Skating Skills. Sheri has also coached two Precision Teams and Pair skaters.
For many, Sheri has been more than just an instructor, she has been a friend, confidant, and source of wisdom. Her willingness to go the extra mile has earned a place in the hearts of all those she has worked with.
As Sheri embarks on her new chapter in life, we celebrate her achievements and express our profound thanks for the selfless contributions she has made to figure skating, to this community and to every life she touched.
Thank you, Sheri, for 52 years of inspiration, leadership, and dedication. Enjoy your well-deserved skating retirement.'
"She cares for every individual like she is their mother. She is very in tune with feelings. She loves everything she does. She is sincere, passionate, dedicated. She is the best mother one could ask for," said Amy Nertoli, one of Laaksonen's daughters.
Teaching for 52 years provided Laaksonen with so many wonderful opportunities, and experiences. With that also comes the rewards, memories and friendships.
"I received my first pair of skates for Christmas when I was 9. I would put them on at my house, skate on the road, down Foss Hill to an outdoor ice rink (one of several in the city). The following year my parents registered me with Hiawatha Skating Club.
"My love and passion for skating never stopped. My hope is that I have left all those I taught a little bit of me. With coaching comes some heartbreak yet there are far far more joys and fulfillment. I have enjoyed watching my students achieve and develop into amazing adults. I hope that I have made a difference in my skaters' lives.
"My coaching career has been so rewarding in so many ways and I could not have been able to coach all these years without my children. I thank them for being my inspiration and support and for loving me unconditionally. The best memories is all the firsts and the lifelong memories and friendships," Laaksonen concluded.