Catching Up With Emily Hughes, Always Up To Something Options

[IFS Photos]

Hughes Raising Money for Cystic Fibrosis;
Takes a Choreographic Spin on Outdoor Ice

Emily Hughes is a young lady constantly on the go who seems to always have a multitude of things on the go.

Hughes recently signed on with the Reach for the Stars Foundation, a charity dedicated to assisting families who have members suffering from cystic fibrosis.

"I met Jay Fiedler, an NFL quarterback at a Stars on Ice show," Hughes said. "He is committed to improving the quality of life of children suffering from cystic fibrosis and after speaking with him I became interested in learning more about this terrible disease and what could be done to help."

Rubber bracelets have been a huge hit for many charities but Hughes wanted to have something a little different. "The bracelet was actually the idea of two friends of mine, Ron Porter, a former NFL player, and his wife Doris Porter," Hughes said. "We designed the bracelet together."

The bracelets are inscribed on both the back and front. The face of the bracelet is inscribed with "Em-Brace Your Dreams" and on the back, "Emily Hughes."

"Em" is the nickname close friends and family often use for Hughes.

The Reach for the Stars Foundation is committed to enhancing the lives of children with cystic fibrosis and funding research. Bracelets can be ordered through Hughes' website (www.EmilyHughes.com). To learn more about the Reach for the Stars Foundation go to www.r4stars.org.

"I recommend the book "Alex: The Life of a Child" by Frank DeFord. It is a heartbreaking story about the daily struggle of children and families affected with cystic fibrosis," Hughes said.

Nothing Ever Goes the Way You Plan

Toronto, Canada. Emily Hughes recently got a little taste of the conditions skaters from earlier generations had to deal when she found herself working on her choreography on an outdoor rink in subzero temperatures.

Hughes went to Toronto last month to do some touch-up work with choreographer David Wilson on her long program. Wilson had organized ice time at a local Toronto club but a water main break at the facility forced an unexpected change of venue. Though Wilson spent a half an hour on the telephone trying to make alternate arrangements it was to no avail. Only one choice remained – an outdoor rink in downtown Toronto.

Hughes had no problem with the change of venue. “It was exciting, skating outdoors,” she said. "My dad was born in Toronto and he thought it was very cool that we went skating at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto."