MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With a little help from Marine Corps Community Services, the Youth Center and the Teen Center, a group of Iwakuni children on inline skates and skateboards overran the Station's Mac Dome Sunday for a Skate Party bonanza.
Children and adults alike were invited to the free event that featured a disc jockey playing current music, designated skateboard and inline areas, an inflatable jumping gym and free food and drinks.
The event was sponsored by MCCS and supported by the Youth and Teen Centers in an effort to help the children let out some extra energy before getting back into the swing of school.
"During summer, kids spent a lot of time at home," said Ely Hipolito, MCCS contracting officer and Skate Party event coordinator. "We hope this will get them to chill out and help them out with the start of the school year."
Chilling out and getting back into school mode is exactly why a lot of children attended the event, according to 11-year-old Krystal Schroeder, Skate Party participant.
"I came to have a little fun and get my mind off of school," said Schroeder. "I wanted to enjoy myself and I did."
The Skate Party idea was conceived because skateboarding and inline skating has become increasingly popular among the Station's youth, according to Doris Dennard, Teen Center coordinator.
"This party was important to the kids because skating has become very popular here," said Dennard. "It is important that we [Teen Center] have a round curriculum, and this event gives the kids a last chance to have fun before buckling down for the school year."
One of the Station's children that has caught onto the skateboarding craze is Terricus Alexander, an 11-year-old Skate Party participant.
"I just sort of got drawn into skating because I liked a lot of the skaters," said Alexander. "I was around a bunch of guys who skated and they taught me. There's nothing like learning a new trick on your board."