Tobby and his father traveled back from the camp on a flight to Atlanta before arriving home in New York City.
“At school, my teachers told me a plane had crashed, but I didn’t know it was all the skaters. I got home and my dad told me about it. It was really shocking and depressing,” said Tobby.
He described his fellow skaters as hard-working with potential. “I felt bad for them. I’ve been skating for six years. That’s where most of my friends come from.”
“I couldn’t believe that happened. I thought the ceremony was a great way for everyone to release their emotions,” said the mother.
Tobby will continue to follow his passion in figure skating, and hopes to one day to make nationals.
Maurizi plans to organize fundraising efforts to help support those within the ice skating community who lost their loved ones in the tragic plane crash. While not confirmed yet, the director is thinking about collecting cash donations at the Ice House in Hackensack next week that will go towards those families. He is also looking to coordinate a GoFundMe.
