It is difficult to find the right words this month. 

Like many of you, I am still processing the shock and devastation of the announcement that Ice Skate Memorial City will permanently close. I first saw the news while at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships—a text from a Board member with a screenshot and the question, “Is this true?” I didn’t have an answer. Only disbelief.

Our rink has always been more than ice. It has been our home—where friendships formed, traditions like Nutcracker on Ice thrived, and generations of skaters grew up.

In the face of this loss, we have been forced to relocate Memorial Trophy—rebuilding a 500+ person event in just a few weeks. It truly feels like planning a 500-person wedding in under four weeks. And yet, this community is rising to the moment.

We are resilient, resourceful, and united by our love of skating. Across Houston, efforts are already underway to address the shortage of ice and explore future solutions.  For information on efforts and how to get involved, visit savememorialrink.org.

Right now, our focus is clear: delivering a successful Memorial Trophy. We cannot do it without you.

Please consider volunteering—whether for a few hours or the full event. Every role matters, and your support will ensure we continue to provide a first-class experience for our skaters and officials during this challenging transition.

After Memorial Trophy, we will come together as a club at our Annual Meeting on June 13 to discuss next steps and shape our path forward.

While this is not the chapter we would have chosen, I'm confident in our community. Together, we will move forward—and continue to create opportunities for our skaters, on and off the ice.

With gratitude and determination,
Wendy Barnard
President, Memorial Figure Skating Club of Houston

It's time for Memorial Trophy!   Skaters will receive their videos as their skater gift this year in addition to a special memento from past Memorial Trophy events.

Medical Registry and Waivers.  Please sign into the Memorial Trophy EMS event and check your compliance page is ✅.  Skaters, coaches and volunteers* must complete waivers, medical registry and emergency contact information.  This is needed to get your credentials!

Registration/Check-in Desk.  The desk will be in the Main Lobby as you enter the Sugar Land facility.  Please check-in and pick up your credential. Check-in is important because when skaters are missing, we look in the system to see if the skater has physically checked in and should be onsite.  Arriving 1 hour before your event is recommended.

Practice Ice.  Check your schedule as practice ice can be on Rink A or Rink B.  You can make changes to PI in EMS. (There will not be a practice ice desk.)

Schedule.  Check the mobile EMS Schedule to ensure you know where to be.  When changes are made by the chief referee leading up to the event (due to withdrawals), the updated schedule will be live in EMS.

Ice Monitor.  Remember to check in with the Ice Monitor when you arrive.  All events will be on Rink B.  Find out if the event is running early, on-time, or late so you are not surprised.  Be around the ice monitor prior to your warm-up group so the ice monitor can communicate to the referee your "group is ready".

Event Run-time. Events will start on time after each ice resurface and then can run as much as 15 minutes ahead of schedule between ice resurfaces.  If the referee plans to start an event early and skaters have not checked in, the ice monitor will do a call for the skater.  The skater will have 5 minutes to show.

Awards.  Awards will be presented when the Results are official.  Skaters should grab their competitors and head to awards.  Friends & family can take podium pictures. (We will not have professional photos of awards.)

Vendors.  Please visit our vendor tables:

• MFSCH High School Team Fundraiser 

• Texas A&M Figure Skating Merchandise

• On-site Medal Engraving, Figure Skating Themed Personalized (engraved on-site) Stainless Steel Tumblers, Leatherette Luggage Tags, Leatherette Coasters, Leatherette Wallets, Leatherette Keychains, Leatherette Journals, Mother's Day Fresh Bouquet with Message Stake, Personalized Mom Puzzle Sign, Personalized Notepad Holder/Pen, Figure Skating Stickers

• Squishies and anti-stress toys 

• Parisi Speed School -  Off-Ice Strength and Training – Memorial Athletic Club

• Unicorn Sportswear – Figure Skating Dresses, jewelry, scrunchies, etc.

• MKT Photography.   Pre-order your action photo package now with a discount (ends before the competition begins).

mkt-photography-pre-orders-2.square.site Photo galleries will be delivered within 10 days after the event.