Standard-Examiner readers were invited to share their favorite 2002 Winter Olympic memories:
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, I was fortunate enough to be able to create many memories and volunteer several hours, days, weeks, and months prior to the production of the Opening Ceremonies held on February 8, 2002.
I have been a figure skater for the last fifteen years, which gave me the opportunity to skate in the Opening Ceremonies. At the time I was only fifteen years old and eager to experience new things, especially something so exciting and memorable.
I had the opportunity to try-out for a part in the Opening Ceremonies and was asked to audition for a second part after my first audition. The first part I skated in during the festivities that night was near the very beginning of the show, as a “snowflake” in the Light the Fire Within segment.
I was among other various “snow creatures”, including other snowflakes, snow giants, and wind creatures – all of which created the storm that “trapped the light” followed by the “Children of the Light,” skating into the show and clearing the storm.
The second part I skated in was near the end of the Opening Ceremonies with Kristi Yamaguchi in the “Olympic Dream” segment of the show. I was one of only two Caucasian girls to skate amongst four other Asian girls that showed the age progression from a small Asian girl, gradually growing up to Kristi Yamaguchi and living the “Olympic Dream.”
This segment was very special to me and my fondest memory was after we finished the number, the torch was lit right above where we were standing. After months of working towards that day, it was a glorious feeling to watch that torch be lit and know that I had been a part of something huge – something I’d never forget for the rest of my life.
Megan Stephenson Yarrington
South Ogden
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