Garfield Heights Figure Skating Club Hall of Fame

Today, many of our skaters successfully compete at local figure skating competitions. Some of our skaters, however, have successfully competed at the regional, sectional and national championships. Many of our skaters left their amateur status behind to become professional performers. Several skaters performed with the Ice Capades, while others became professional figure skating coaches. Our GHFSC Hall of Fame includes the following skaters (in alphabetical order):

Tod Bartholomew was a freestyle skater, ice dancer and hockey player. Tod became a professional figure skating and ice dancing coach. He is best remembered, however as one of the original founders of precision skating. His senior and junior precision teams won the Gold Medal at the 1990 U.S. Precision Nationals in Houston. Tod died June 6, 1992.

Bonnie Blume was a freestyle skater and a member of the GHFSC precision teams for several years. Upon attending Miami University, Bonnie skated as a member of the Miami University teams where upon graduation, she became the assistant coach.

Therese Bonadonna was a freestyle skater and a member of GHFSC's first precision teams. After high school, Therese joined the Ice Capades and toured with several companies. In addition to skating, Therese learned the production side of skating shows and produced professional figure skating shows for Sea World of San Diego.  When she returned to Cleveland, she produced ice shows for many of the Cleveland area skating rinks.  Therese is a freestyle coach and has also coached the Garfield Intermediate and Senior Synchro. Teams.  Therese also was the director of the Garfield Heights Municipal Skating Program for two years.

Kathy Karlik was a ice dancer and a member of the GHFSC precision teams since the age of 12. In 1995, Kathy became a professional precision skating coach and coached for the GHFSC Senior Precision Team for several years.

Brittany Karlon has been on the ice since she was 3 years old. She was both a freestyle skater and a member of the GHFSC precision teams. At the age of 7, Brittany and her skating partner competed at the Junior Olympics in pairs skating placing 6th. The following year in 1995, Brittany and her partner won the bronze medal in freestyle pairs at the Junior Olympics in Chicago.  Brittany now lives in Michigan and attends college.

Cheryl Karlon was a both a freestyle skater and ice dancer. She was a member of the first GHFSC precision team in 1982. Cheryl became a professional skating coach in 1986. She coaches both freestyle and precision teams. Cheryl has coached several national championship teams.  She is currently coaching at the college level in Michigan.

Mark Lang was a gold level freestyle skater who competed at the regional, sectional and national levels. As a youth, he won the Garfield Heights Mayor's Trophy and he was also a member of the first GHFSC precision teams. After high school, Mark joined the Ice Capades where he toured with several companies for 8 years. He rejoined GHFSC as a figure skating and precision coach. Currently, his students include competitors at regional, sectional and national levels and he has also coached the Garfield Intermediate and Senior Synchro Teams .

Phil Lang (Mark's younger brother) was a gold level freestyle skater who competed at regional, sectional and national levels. After high school, Phil joined the Ice Capades where he toured with several companies for 3 years. He returned to GHFSC as a professional figure skating coach. Phil continues to perform in professional skating shows while continuing his academic studies.

Ethan Lea is a freestyle skater but currently competes only in ice dancing. Ethan and his partner competed at the Junior Olympics in freestyle pairs in 1994. In 1996, he and his partner competed at Midwest Sectionals in ice dancing.

Josh Lea skated with his partner, Kristen Mendoza, for almost four years. He competed at Regionals and Junior Nationals in Juvenile and Intermediate Dance with a Silver Medal in 2002. He was selected with his partner to represent the USA in the 2001 and 2002 North American Challenge Skate Competitions. Josh first skated in the Garfield Heights Municipal Ice Show in 1994.

Pam Olszko was both an ice dancer and freestyle skater. As a youth, Pam won the Garfield Heights Mayor's Trophy. Pam turned professional and now coaches students in both moves and freestyle. 

 Joanne Vella (formerly Rundo)

Joanne was both a freestyle skater and ice dancer. She was 12 years old when she skated on GHFSC first precision team. Joanne assisted Tod Bartholomew with choreography over the years but did not turn professional until 1995. She coached the GHFSC Senior Precision Team from 1995 through 2001.

Tom Zakrajesek was a freestyle skater who competed at the regional, sectional and national levels. As a youth, he won the Garfield Heights Mayor's trophy. As a senior level competitor, he made several trips to the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships before before turning professional Today, Tom is trustee of the Professional Skaters Association and coaches nationally-ranked competitors.

Dawn Zelasko was both a freestyle skater and a member of the GHFSC precision teams for many years. Upon graduating from college, Dawn became a professional firgure skating coach teaching freestyle and moves-in-the-field.

During the annual Garfield Heights Municipal Ice Show, the Mayor's Trophy Award is presented to one exceptional skater.  Over the past two decades, the list has grown to include the following GHFSC members: Anjuli Lucas, Katie McBeath, Danielle DePompei, Hali Zorb, Jessica Weinman, Juliana Furman, Krista Lange, Jen Royer, Christen Dempsey, Allison Hatton, Katie Klimkewicz, Casey Forester, Brittany Karlon, Sarah Ruszkiewicz, Lindsey Yee, Kristen Colosi, Angela Derbin, Holly Gray (Michelbrink), Jennifer Sikon, Magan Johnson, Carri Spirakus, Jennifer Devan, Thad Parsons, Pam Olszko (Makowski), Eileen Campbell, Erica Honikman, Caroline Gebhardt, Tom Zakrajsek and Mark Lang.

In 2001, this award was renamed to honor long-time Municipal skating coach, Betty Bosell.  Betty taught many of our Hall of Fame Members.  In 2006, Betty retired after 39 years of teaching.  Some of the GHFSC figure skaters who have won the Betty Bosell Outstanding Skater Award include: Hali Zorb, Jessica Weinman, Krista Lange, Josh Lea, Christen Dempsey, Sarah Ruszkiewicz, Brittany Karlon, Angela Derbin and Tom Zakrajsek