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Olympic figure skater Jason Brown honored with 10-foot ice sculpture

Highland Park residents and fans chanted “Go Jason! Go!” Wednesday before officials unveiled a 10-foot-tall ice sculpture of U.S. Olympic skater Jason Brown in Port Clinton Square.

Kristopher Duschen is the artist and ice sculptor who created the piece. The statue of the 19-year-old Olympian was created from 15 blocks of ice during a five-day period.

“We were real excited and honored to be asked to do it,” Duschen said. “It was quite a bit of crunchtime to get it done in time.”

The event was held to celebrate Brown's accomplishments, including at the Sochi Olympics.

Nearly 300 people, including Highland Park village and park district officials, members of the Highland Park Skate Club, family and friends, were on hand for the unveiling.

“I think it's a great representation of Jason,” Highland Park resident Wendy Gimbel said of the sculpture. “It has his ponytail and the outfit he wore when he skated his River Dance routine.”

Brown won a bronze medal this week in the team figure skating event and will compete in individual events later this week.

A viewing party at the Centennial Ice Arena organized by the Park District of Highland Park is planned for Friday when Brown competes in Sochi. For more information on that event, visit http://www.pdhp.org.

  Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, left, and ice sculptor Kristopher Duschen unveil the 10-foot ice sculpture of Olympic figure skater Jason Brown in the city's Port Clinton Square on Wednesday. Brown has won a bronze medal and is hoping for more this weekend when he skates in the individual events. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Jason Brown of the United States waves to spectators after competing in the men's team free skate figure skating competition Sunday at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Associated Press
  Fans stare at the 10-foot ice sculpture depicting Olympic figure skater Jason Brown in Highland Park's Port Clinton Square. Brown has won a bronze medal and is hoping for more this weekend when he skates in the individual events. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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