Five area seniors are going to have a tough time letting go of the Riverside Figure Skating Club when they make their last performance during the Club’s annual ice skating show this Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. in Riverside Arena.

“The friends and memories have been great,” said Ariel Reed, a Pacelli senior. “There will be a lot of tears this weekend.”

Reed is one of the five seniors who have all skated for at least a decade. The other four are Tamika Hutson, Amanda Farrell and Brianna Ellingson of Austin High School and Sam Serratore of Hayfield High School.

Farrell said that the show is coming at the right time — right on the heels of the winter Olympics.

“I’ve always watched the Olympics and wanted to be like them,” she said. “Watching the Olympics (this year) really helped me to push through for this weekend.”

While Serratore found some inspiration from the winter games, she has also found the desire to coach. After skating for 12 years, she now knows the patience the sport requires.

“You have to be really motivated because everything comes so slow,” said Serratore, who still recalls when she could barely stand on ice skates. “People think you can learn a triple axle really fast, but you have to start with the basics and work your way up.”

Ellingson, who has skated for 15 years, said its all about body control.

“You have to have control of your feet or it’s really hard,” she said.

In the end, the five will look back at the friendships they’ve made and the time well spent in Riverside Arena.

“My favorite part is skating with the advanced girls and the seniors. It’s been fun,” Hutson said.