Message from the President
Message from the President
Embedded Files
What a joy it is to say—we are back on the ice at Memorial City! After a long and challenging stretch, it has been incredibly uplifting to see our skaters and coaches back home. Thank you all for your patience, resilience, and support—it makes this moment even more meaningful.
Our skaters have been shining! Congratulations to everyone who competed at Sugar Skate, Houston Invitational, and the Adult Midwest Sectionals Final. Your hard work and determination shows and you continue to make our club proud.
There is so much to look forward to this season. The U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships and the Theatre on Ice Nations Cup are just around the corner, and we can’t wait to cheer on our skating community at these exciting events. Send-off parties have been added to the calendar. I encourage you to subscribe to the club Google Calendar for upcoming events.
Closer to home, preparations are underway for the 2026 Memorial Trophy competition. Registration closes Thursday, April 2nd and entries are trending up this year! This is an exciting event, and it truly takes a team effort. I encourage everyone to consider volunteering—your time and support make all the difference in creating a successful and welcoming competition. Memorial Trophy Sign-Up Genius
We’re also excited to launch a new online Dress & Gear Sale platform! This initiative will allow members to buy and sell skating items within our community while raising funds for the club—a win for everyone.
Thank you for being such an incredible community. I look forward to seeing you at the rink!
Warm Regards,
Wendy Barnard
President, Memorial Figure Skating Club of Houston
🏅Competition Corner
🏅Competition Corner
The 2026 Midwestern Adult Figure Skating Sectional Championships were held March 13-15th in Livonia, MI. Vicky Li and Emily Engberg finished 1st and 3rd in a group of 20, successfully qualifying for the Championship Gold event at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships coming up Apri 8-11 in Duluth, GA.
Headed to the 2026 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships: Vicky Li, Emily Engberg, Karen R, Chuck Hsiao, Melanie Calverley, Wendy Barnard. Join us Saturday, April 4th at 9am for a Send-off party at the rink.
The HITS team is heading to the Nation's Cup April 22-26 in Lansing Michigan. The event is held every other year, and teams are selected to participate by their country's governing body. The MFSCH team was selected by the U.S. Figure Skating Theatrical Skating Committee. Join us April 14th 7-8pm for a Send-off party at the rink.
🏆2026 Memorial Trophy - May 7th-10th
🏆2026 Memorial Trophy - May 7th-10th
Thursday p.m., May 7th - Setup & Practice Ice
See the Club Website for Memorial Trophy information: Memorial Trophy | Memorial FSCH
4/2/2026 Registration Deadline for 2026 Memorial Trophy
4/2/2026 Request Deadline for Critiques offered for TOI and Solo Free Dance events. Please email MemorialTrophyChair@gmail.com
4/16/2026 Deadline to book a room at the Westin at a special rate of $169 per night at the Westin link: Book your group rate for Memorial Trophy Competition Room Block
Event Co-Chairs: Wendy Barnard & Annabelle Helin MemorialTrophyChair@gmail.com
Practice Ice Coordinators: Courtney Nicholas & Karen R. MTPracticeIce@gmail.com.
Let's make Memorial Trophy a successful team effort this year! Express your interest via email to: MemorialTrophyChair@gmail.com or sign-up now here: Memorial Trophy Sign-Up Genius
Descriptions are included and the organizing team will provide training if you are uncertain about the role! While we don't have a competition schedule yet, the link will remain active and you may change your slots as necessary.
Our officials are volunteers who choose the competitions they attend—and we want Memorial Trophy to be one they return to every year!
One of the best ways we can show our appreciation is through great hospitality—meals, snacks, and drinks to keep them fueled throughout the event.
In past years, members donated items at the rink, but without a club room to store them this year, we’re suggesting monetary donations so we can provide hospitality more efficiently.
Every dollar helps us create a welcoming, first-class experience for our officials—and a successful competition for our skaters.
Apple Pay, Credit or debit card, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App Pay, US bank (ACH): https://givebutter.com/2026-memorial-trophy-hospitality
Thank you for your support!
We're excited to try an online Sale that will enable Club members to buy and sell skating gear! We are collecting items to go live at the end of April! If you are interested in participating, please send the following information to: MFSCHFundraising@gmail.com
Description of the Item for Sale (Brand, Custom, Color, etc.)
Size (Youth size or Adult size)
Condition (competition worn practice, never been worn, etc,)
Pictures - 1 to 3 pictures to share on the site. Front, Back, On ice (if available), Close-up (stones, mesh, etc.)
Buy Now Sales Price
Flat measurements (optional)
Tip: It's useful to see the item being worn, such as a competition photo. Include information you think a buyer would be interested to know.
Items will be accepted at the rink (Please see a Club Board Member)
Price Sold will be shared 70% to the seller, 30% to MFSCH
Proceeds will be distributed to the seller via Zelle or check after processing
Sale is only available through the private link or QR code (not publicly available)
After 60 days of posting, prices will be lowered or item will be returned to the Seller
Preview the Sale Site: QR Code or link:
https://givebutter.com/c/dress-sale-MFSCH
The platform: GiveButter is specifically designed for 501(c)3 non-profit organizations to raise money.
Note: While the terminology on the site uses the term Auction, it is a Buy Now sale only. (No bidding will occur.)
👗The Story Behind a Skating Dress
👗The Story Behind a Skating Dress
One of the magical things about figure skating is that every dress has a story.
Back in 2018, I purchased a beautiful competition dress that had previously belonged to Estonian National competitor Johanna Allik. It was a stunning custom design—one of those dresses that immediately catches the light and makes you feel a little more confident the moment you step onto the ice.
I wore that dress proudly at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, and it received so many compliments. It was elegant, unique, and clearly designed by someone who understood exactly how a dress should move and sparkle under arena lights.
But the best part of the story happened years later.
In 2024, while attending the U.S. Championships in Columbus, Ohio, I stopped by the JIV Sport booth and struck up a conversation with the skater working there. As we talked, we realized something incredible—she was Johanna Allik, the original owner of the very dress I had been competing in!
It was such a small-world skating moment. Johanna was thrilled to see who had bought her dress—and even happier when I showed her photos of the dress still being worn in competition years later. The dress had gone from Estonia to the United States, from one skater to another, continuing its journey on the ice.
We even took a photo together holding pictures of ourselves competing in the same dress, years apart.
That’s the beauty of skating dresses. They’re not just costumes—they’re part of the history of our sport and our community.
Why Used Dresses Are Such a Treasure
Why Used Dresses Are Such a Treasure
A skating dress often has many more performances left in it. Passing it along gives that dress a new life while helping another skater shine.
Buying a pre-loved dress also has some great advantages:
• You can see the dress first. It’s often easier to fall in love with a finished dress than to imagine one from a sketch.
• Custom quality for less. Many consignment dresses are beautifully made custom pieces at a fraction of the original cost.
• Perfect backup dresses. It’s always helpful to have an extra dress ready for exhibitions, tests, or competitions.
• Practically new options for growing skaters. Kids grow so quickly that many dresses have only been worn a few times.
Give Your Dress a Second Life
Give Your Dress a Second Life
Our upcoming Club Used Dress & Skate Sale is a wonderful way to:
• Clear out closet space
• Share beautiful dresses with other skaters
• Help younger skaters find affordable competition wear
• Raise funds to support our skating club
You never know—the dress hanging in your closet might become someone else’s lucky competition dress… and maybe even start a story of its own.
So, start looking through those garment bags and skate bags. That dress that once sparkled under the rink lights could be ready for its next chapter on the ice.
Proceeds from sales will be shared 70% to the seller and 30% to MFSCH.
👕Looking for Spirit Wear?
👕Looking for Spirit Wear?
Shop MFSCH branded merchandise at our website. Personaliteez is the vendor included under Membership and Club.
📸 Showcase your skater!
📸 Showcase your skater!
Got great skating pics or videos? Share them with us and you might see them on our club Instagram or Facebook! We love it all—fun on-ice clips, learning a new skill, practicing a program, milestone moments, and more!
Questions? Contact Catherine Ridley at socials.mfsch@gmail.com
ℹ️ Volunteer at the Club Info Table!
ℹ️ Volunteer at the Club Info Table!
Proud of MFSCH skaters? Volunteer at the Club Info Table to tell others about club membership. All ages are welcome to volunteer at the table (volunteers under 14 need a parent/guardian present).
📅 Thursdays: 4:30–6:30 PM
📅 Saturdays: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
✅ Meet fellow skaters
✅ Learn more about the club when people ask questions!
✅ Help make our community fun & welcoming
Contact: Courtney Nicholas
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse