I am incredibly proud of our skaters who represented our club at the NQS Sectionals Singles Final. Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance were on full display, and their achievements reflect the countless early mornings, long practices, and unwavering commitment they bring to the ice. While the NQS season is coming to an end, the 7th Excel Series Season will begin with registration opening December 15th.
Now, as we turn the page to December, all eyes—and all hands—are on our most treasured tradition the Nutcracker on Ice, December 13th. With sold-out performances ahead, the excitement is building, and the energy around the rink is truly magical. This production is more than just a show—it is a celebration of our skating community, a showcase of our skaters’ talents at every level, and our most important annual fundraising effort. It's not too late to purchase an Ad in the digital Nutcracker Program. (The deadline has been extended to December 7th.) The show will be followed by Holiday Exhibitions on December 20th providing one more opportunity to celebrate our skaters before the end of the year.
Thank you for the incredible support you give our skaters and our club. I can’t wait to share the magic of the season with you at the rink.
With gratitude and excitement,
Wendy Barnard
President, Memorial FSC of Houston
She's an ex-Collegiate skater and served as President of the Texas A&M Figure Skating Club. Annabelle is a first-year medical student at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine and plans to pursue a career in Pediatric Surgery. Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions at vp.mfsch@gmail.com.
Fun Facts: USFS Double Gold Medalist-Skating Skills and Partnered Pattern Dance
She attended Skate America for the past 2 years!
It's not too late to buy a spot in the Show Program! Link to Purchase: Purchase a Program Ad / Shout Out (extended to December 7)
The Nutcracker Program can be viewed on mobile devices or desktop and can be downloaded! Ads will include logo, business social media links, photo, congratulatory message. Proceeds support MFSCH and HITS.
Purchase Ads for your business--or Surprise your skater with a Shout-out in the Program!
Quarter Page Ad $35 Half-Page Ad $75 Full Page Ad $100
December 9 - Pre-Order a pizza and drink for Dress Rehearsal
Pizza, Drink & Delivery - $15
Click link here: Dress Rehearsal Pizza Order or See QR code in the ad below.
December 12 - Mandatory Dress Rehearsal 4-8pm
December 13th - Pre-Purchased Flower Pick-up
Flowers will be available for pick up before each performance begins.
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
If you did not pre-order, a limited number of bouquets will be available for purchase on the day of show - Check the pick-up table to inquire about extra bouquets available for purchase.
Zelle: memorialfsch@gmail.com (preferred)
Venmo: @MemorialFSCH
or cash
Kendra Scott will do a Pop-Up shop on show day 4-9pm! The company will donate a % of sales to HITS.
Volunteer Positions - Open to all ages: Club members younger than 14 are welcome to volunteer alongside a parent or another adult club member. Sign-in when you arrive to get volunteer hour credits that apply towards your membership renewal. You will receive instruction and guidance in your volunteer role, either in advance or on-site.
Flower pickup - Hand out pre-purchased flowers rinkside.
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Backstage access monitoring - Ensure a safe and efficient show environment by monitoring access to backstage spaces. (Requires SafeSport / SkateSafe training; Must be 18+)
Let us know which show you have tickets for and we will make sure to schedule your volunteer hours so you can see your skater in the show!
Email memorialfsch@gmail.com
December 20 - 9:45am - 11:45 am
Come out and support our skaters performing their holiday exhibition programs. Hosted by Ice Skate Memorial City and Memorial FSC of Houston.
Tentatively scheduled from 6am - 1pm. Registration to open soon after the Nutcracker!
2026 Memorial Trophy - May 8-10, 2026
We are part of the Excel Series this year! Mark your calendar for the event and see below for information on the Excel Series. Participants in the Excel Series must compete in at least two (2) approved Excel Series Competitions for scores to count toward the Series Standings. Memorial Trophy can be one of them!
2026 Excel Series Competitions V1.pdf
We need a Competition Chair or Co-Chair! Are you interested in learning about what goes into planning and execution? Please reach out to MemorialFSCH@gmail.com or talk to a Board Member!
We are gathering names of MFSCH members graduating in Spring 2026:
V Calderin
C Furlong
A Lee
I Fulton
A Karayaka
C Law
S Rosenbaum
P Tang
If your name is missing, email MemorialFSCH@gmail.com or use this form: Click here for the High School Senior Information Form
Coach Priscilla Garcia for donating her time and effort to support the Club's hospitality efforts with her amazing balloon arches.
Q: What is a Performance Sanction?
A: It is the official approval from U.S. Figure Skating for non-competitive skating events such as shows and exhibitions.
Q: Is this the same as a competition sanction?
A: No. A performance sanction applies to shows and exhibitions—not competitions or test sessions.
Q: Why is a performance sanction important?
A: It provides liability insurance coverage, ensures SafeSport compliance, and confirms the event meets national safety standards.
Q: Who is protected under the sanction?
A: The club, skaters, coaches, volunteers, and often the facility.
Q: Why does our club obtain this for Nutcracker on Ice?
A: To ensure our show is officially recognized, properly insured, and safely operated for all participants and families.
2026 Excel Competition Series - Brief Summary
The Excel Series provides athletes with an exciting competitive environment designed to encourage growth in both program components and technical skills each season. Events will be hosted at select nonqualifying competitions across the country
Beginning December 15, athletes can complete their registration via the Series Application on EMS. The Series Application is the key requirement for registration. All interested athletes MUST complete this step prior to the start of their first approved EXCEL SERIES competition (first day of competition).
All athletes must register for at least TWO approved EXCEL SERIES competitions via U.S. Figure Skating’s Event Management System (EMS) and compete!
STEP 1: REGISTER FOR U.S. FIGURE SKATING OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
STEP 2: DETERMINE COMPETITIVE LEVEL & ELIGIBILITY
STEP 3: EXCEL SERIES APPLICATION
STEP 4: REGISTER FOR AT LEAST TWO EXCEL SERIES COMPETITION VIA EMS
For the 2026 Excel Series, skaters may compete in up to a maximum of FOUR (4) EXCEL SERIES COMPETITIONS.
Athletes must enter each approved EXCEL SERIES competition directly, in accordance with the entry deadline and entry fees set forth by the host club.
It is the sole responsibility of each athlete to complete this step to ensure their scores will post and count towards the Series and thus the opportunity to advance to the Excel National event.
Note: In order for scores to count toward the Series Standings, participants must compete in at least two (2) approved Excel Series Competitions and must register for the Excel Series prior to their first competition.
2026 Excel Competition Series Athlete Handbook.pdf
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!
Send as many as you like! We do our best to recognize everyone equally, but not all submissions are guaranteed to be posted.
Questions? Contact Catherine Ridley at socials.mfsch@gmail.com.
Love figure skating? Want to meet your fellow skaters?
Join the Memorial Figure Skating Club of Houston at our weekly Info Table!
✅ Meet fellow skaters
✅ Learn about the club
✅ Help make our community fun & welcoming
All ages welcome (volunteers under 14 must have a parent/guardian present).
📅 Thursdays: 4:30–6:30 PM
📅 Saturdays: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Contact: Courtney Nicholas (Board member)
Subscribe to the Google MFSCH Public Calendar to see upcoming events!