ATWT: Tamara Tunie on Ice!

Tamara Tunie hits the ice for a good cause!

On Friday, April 4, 2003, Tamara Tunie (Jessica) braved New York City's encroaching Spring blizzard to trek uptown and, for her sixth time, host Figure Skating in Harlem's annual recital, this year called, Glidin' to the Islands.

"It doesn't matter if it's raining, if it's snowing, if it's below zero -- which it usually is; this year it was actually kind of balmy, maybe it was the Caribbean theme," laughed Tamara. "But, it doesn't matter, I have to be here to watch these girls do their thing and see the culmination of their commitment to this program.

Launched in 1997, the non-profit, community youth organization uses figure skating as a way to teach local girls, ages 6-16, discipline, leadership and teamwork in a safe and positive environment.

Said Tamara, "Figure Skating in Harlem empowers girls. It helps them develop life skills, self-esteem, social skills, and academics. That's what the program is really about. The ice-skating is the hook. I've seen these girls develop over the years. Some start out very introverted and shy, and they become a little more open, they start to feel good about themselves. It's just fantastic to watch the evolution and the growth. FSH affords these girls the opportunity to not just to dream about skating, but to get out there on the ice!"

Tamara with special guest skater, the 1998 World Junior Champion, Derrick Delmore.

Empowering girls to grow into strong young women is a cause dear to Tamara's heart. She is very proud that her current ATWT storyline, Jessica taking Marshall to court and charging him with rape, encourages women to stand up for themselves. And she sees the same, positive message in the lessons imparted by Figure Skating in Harlem.

"I love this program," she said simply. "I've been with this program from the first year. It struck a special cord with me. I was looking for an arts-and-education kind of program in my community that I could support and work with. And this was the perfect marriage that I wanted. I think anybody learns faster when they're inspired by something and I think art, be it acting or skating, is an inspiring form. Trying to learn something through repetition is blah, blah, blah. But when you marry it with an art form, when you have something to connect with, the learning process is faster and it stays with the girls for the rest of their lives."

So, has seeing her girls strutting their stuff on ice inspired Tamara to lace up her own skates and join them?

"Well, when I was a little girl, I used to watch figure skaters and fantasize about it," Tamara admitted. "But I can still barely skate now. Which is why I never put my skates on for the show. I threaten to next year. We'll see!"

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