"Some of the shy ones that you normally see that are kind of like, you know, huddled and quiet in the corner, they are just amazing on the ice," says teacher Jessica Isla-Rutherford.
[Ads /]
The academy is one of nearly two-dozen schools supported by Yamaguchi's Always Dream Foundation.
"To be able to step out of the arena where you competed and go out into the community-- it's been incredible," said Yamaguchi.
Off the ice, the Fremont native and best-selling children's author is now focused on the development of early childhood literacy skills by working to integrate e-reader tablets and digital books in local classrooms. Wednesday's field trip was to reward the students, many of whom come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, for their work at school.
Yamaguchi added, "Maybe we'll have a future skater on our hands, if they really decide they love it, and they had a lot of fun, and they ask their parents to bring them back again."
[Ads /]
Polina Edmunds, two-time national silver medalist, was also there with some of her Sharkes Ice rink mates to perform for the kids.
"To see them be so excited and to have their eyes light up because we're skating under the palm trees outside next to Christmas in the Park," said Edmunds. "It's so meaningful."
Students tell ABC7 News they learned a valuable lesson from the pros.
"Even if you get hurt or anything like that-- if you fall, you just get right back up," said first-grader Kalea Yacap. "It's really scary, but no matter what, you always keep trying."