RECENT STORIES

The Boston Pilgrims and all that jazz ( Peter Robinson )
O'Kane neighbors gather to remember Ed Heckle ( Erin Feese/YourHub.com )
Realtors give back to community ( Susan Aldretti )
Give joy to homeless families, one gift at a time ( Kathy McManus )
No cost home repair for eligible homeowners ( Angie Zuccarelli )

share a story | more postings »

YourHub.com \\ Lakewood \\ Stories \\ Entertainment \\ Music

Denver's own princess

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

NEXT › ‹ PREVIOUS

Contributed by: David Harvey on 12/17/2007

Robyn Sudkamp has been skating since she was about 6 years old, like most skaters that succeed. She lived in the north end of Denver, getting up early in the morning and being taken to the ice arena to practice before school by her late mother, grandmother or her dad. This went on form her early school year right up through high school. She attended Ranum High and eventually graduated from Northglenn High.

When Robyn was 15 years old her mom, brother and her headed off to Colorado Springs to get her registered in the Olympic Training Center. Her family felt she was an Olympic hopeful in pairs ice-skating. They went to bed that night excited about the next day's visit to the center. Upon awaking, Robyn found her mother had died in her sleep from a massive coronary at the age of 38. This changed her plans for the Olympics and the course of her life. She came back home and struggled with skating, school and of course, the loss of her main support. But she credits her dad and grandmother for keeping her on track and being her support group that helped her get to where she is today.

There was even a time when she was at the ice rink practicing, just going through the motions. Another skater that had overcome obstacles skated with her around the rink and told her not to give up, to keep focused and things would work out -- and they did. She auditioned for Disney on Ice when she was barely 18 and has been with them ever since. She is now 30. She was in town Dec. 9 through 16 skating before the hometown audience; this was the third time since being with the show. This might be her last, because it will probably eight years before this group will return to Denver.

Robyn has been to Russia, the Middle East, the Far East and the Virgin Islands, just to mention a few places where the show has taken her. The first time she skated here and for Disney she was the understudy for Pocahontas; this time she was the lead in the show as Ariel, the Little Mermaid. She is not only fun to watch skate but a great joy to talk with and be around. It is hard to imagine the enjoyment she has given young and old alike throughout her career thus far, and possibly the dreams she has inspired in little girls the world over.

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story

Current Rating

Based on 3 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Thank you! Your comment has been updated.

Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Erin Feese

posted on 12/18/2007 @ 2:16:42 PM

Rated Story

I can't even imagine what Robin must have gone through after losing her mom. It shows that great things can happen even in the face of adversity.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Kimberly Jongejan

posted on 12/18/2007 @ 10:44:32 AM

(Not Rated)

Thank you for sharing this story! It's great to see our local talent making it big. Northglenn wishes her continued success and excitement... and the joy from putting smiles on the faces of little admirers.

[Report as objectionable]

Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

David Harvey

Littleton , CO

David Harvey has posted 66 stories and 1 comment since joining on 5/28/2007. David Harvey 's average story rating is 4.91.

view profile » view other postings from David Harvey »

SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY

STORY RSS FEEDS

All stories

All stories in Lakewood

All stories by David Harvey

WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?

Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is register, then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyone what events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

Loading Ad