largest ice carving. The four individ-
ual team members are planning and
designing some of their own carvings
including a Seahorse and a Manta
Ray, Lao said.
“They are working on their designs
right now,” Lao said.
Linda Zabik, manager of corporate
responsibility at Genisys said that the
credit union opted to sponsor the
carvers as a way to highlight and sup-
port the local community college stu-
dents and the carving teams.
“This is a wonderful competition
allowing students to show their skills
and provide amazing entertainment
for the festival,” Zabik said.
Lao said that while the carvers are
all students, they do not have to be
enrolled in the culinary program at
HenryFord.
“This is an extra-curricular activity,
so while most of the club members
are in the culinary program, we do
have a few members who just love to
carve ice and are actually pursuing
other degrees,” Lao explained.
Lao's individual work has long
been a highlight of the festival during
theDuelingChainsaws event.
“You bet I am hoping for a repeat
win this year,” he said. During the
individual competition, the carvers
are each provided a block of ice, their
chainsaw and another tool of their
choice and have 15minutes to carve a
sculpture on a topic selected by the
audience.
Festival producer James Geitzen
isn't shy about admitting that the
excitement of this event with the ice
flying and the carvers chopping away
is one of his favorite attractions.
“It is just spectacular,” Geitzen
said. “Ice is flying, the chain saws are
screaming. It's great.”
Lao said while he enjoys the com-
petition, the big sculptures by the stu-
dents are a huge attraction for the
crowds.
Zabik agreed and said that staff
members from Genisys participate in
the awards presentation every year.
“Obviously, the carvers are one of
the most popular attractions….This is
an exciting time for us, too, to see the
Plymouth Ice Festival
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Students
from page 17
It is just spectacular.
Ice is flying,
the chain saws
are screaming.
It's great.
James Geitzen
”
