Message from the President
Message from the President
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Dear Memorial FSC of Houston Members,
October was a busy month of competitions, tests and party fun. We watched great skates by Audrey L competing in the ISU Junior Grand Prix Abu Dhabi event and Autumn K, Isaac F, Rex H, Scarlett S, Erica T, and Adrienne K qualifying for the Midwest Sectionals event to be held in Lansing, Michigan November 17-21. Collegiate events are underway too with Juliet Abraham skating at the Thunder Country Classic.
The October Test Session was a success and the pictures of skaters and coaches reflected the excitement of achievement. Thank you to all who attended the annual Halloween Party--and for bringing the fun in creative costumes!
November is all about the Nutcracker on Ice! No doubt your email is full of communications about show practices and fundraising and while it might seem overwhelming, the experience is worth it. I had the opportunity to skate in my first Nutcracker on Ice last year, and it was truly magical. I watched our coaches guide their groups with care and organization, supporting young skaters—many performing for the first time—with patience and encouragement.
I watched volunteers performing roles that made the show look effortless---Dads managing backstage access were particularly memorable for their calm composure and professionalism. I saw skaters helping one another prepare, little ones doing homework while they waited for their scene, and alumni—past skaters and coaches—returning to cheer on our skaters. Families and friends filled the stands with pride, and the joy and sense of accomplishment at the end of the show were unmistakable.
What struck me most was seeing young skaters look up to older, more experienced skaters, who themselves remember what it felt like to be that wide-eyed beginner. It was a powerful reminder that our Nutcracker on Ice isn’t just a performance—it’s a celebration of growth, connection, and the magic of our skating community coming together. Take it all in, take lots of pictures, volunteer, buy the flowers.
With appreciation,
Wendy Barnard
President, Memorial FSC of Houston
P.S. The Board is hosting a General Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, November 6th. Please check out the details below and plan to join.
👋 Meet the Board Spotlight:
Triniti Brown, Test Chair
👋 Meet the Board Spotlight:
Triniti Brown, Test Chair
Responsibilities: The Test Chair is the hub of the club’s testing process, interfacing with skaters, coaches, judges, USFS, and the rink. The Test Chair takes on an Official role during a test session and must maintain the integrity of the process for US Figure Skating. Triniti is responsible for judge coordination, accuracy, rule compliance, record‐keeping, and results reporting.
Triniti has lived in Houston for 20 years and has been involved at the Club level with MSFCH for 5 years, 4 as Test Chair. She's also the Team Manager (Team Mom) for the HITS organization. Triniti believes in fostering a skater centric environment where skaters can grow, have fun, and build lasting relationships in a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
💂 Nutcracker on Ice Events, Merchandise, and Fundraising Opportunities
💂 Nutcracker on Ice Events, Merchandise, and Fundraising Opportunities
The Nutcracker on Ice is a joint effort between Ice Skate Memorial City and Memorial FSCH and H.I.T.S. The event is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. It is the biggest annual fundraising event for the Club and HITS organization.
Here's a summary of opportunities to participate and support.
1) Flower Bouquets $8/$15/$25: Present your skaters with celebration flowers at the end of the show! Flowers must be pre-ordered to be picked up on the day of the show. Proceeds benefit MFSCH and HITS.
Available in three sizes: Small $8 Medium $15 Large $25
Orders must be placed by November 7th. Link to Order: Order Nutcracker on Ice 2025 Flowers
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2) Shout-Out and Gift $20: Give your skater a supportive shout out with a Nutcracker surprise. Your performer will receive a personalized note from you along with a nutcracker surprise gift delivered on performance day. All proceeds support HITS National Teams and Team USA Nations Cup Team.
Orders must be placed by November 21 or until sold out. Link to Order: Shout Out Surprise Gift
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3) Program Ads $35 / $75 /$100: We are excited to offer a Virtual/Digital Show Program this year! The Program will be accessible via QR Code at the rink, email, and text to share with family and friends and can include interactive media links for business ads. The 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!
Nutcracker: Full Page Ad $100 Clara: Half-Page Ad $75 Party Children: Quarter Page Ad $35
Orders must be placed by December 1st. Link to Purchase: Purchase a Program Ad / Shout Out by December 1
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4) Raffle Tickets $10 or 3 for $25. HITS will hold raffles each Saturday during show rehearsals at the rink! Proceeds benefit HITS and Team USA Nations Cup Team.
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5) Nutcracker Merchandise can be purchased from Ice Skate Memorial City.
Sweatshirt $45 Video $50 Pictures $50 Video/Picture Combo $85
Link to Order: Nutcracker On Ice Accessories | Ice Skate Memorial City
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Got questions? Reach out to the team:
Rink/Show Director Nicole Nichols at nicole@skatememorialcity.com
MFSCH at MemorialFSCH@gmail.com
H.I.T.S. Adam & Barbara Kline, DeDee Gorelick or HITSHoustonMail@gmail.com
Nutcracker Show: Dec 13 - 1 PM Matinee & 6 PM Evening
🙋 Club-Wide General Meeting!
🙋 Club-Wide General Meeting!
We're holding a Club-Wide General Meeting Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm via Zoom.
Zoom meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/5858056599?pwd=NjRhRzVwSW50M3hnRkx6WGVnUXp5QT09&omn=94648082676
Meeting ID: 585 805 6599
Passcode: 236337
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Tentative Agenda:
Intro - Overview - Board members and roles
Upcoming events and getting involved
Nutcracker
Volunteering roles
Looking forward to 2026
Testing
Memorial Trophy 2026
Resources
Calendar
Newsletters
Inclusive Community
Communication avenues
Open Q&A
We want to hear from you!
Please share your questions, feedback, and ideas ahead of the meeting. Your input will help us prepare and make the session more engaging and relevant for everyone.
👉 Submit topics for the meeting and questions here
👏In-person October Test Session Highlights
👏In-person October Test Session Highlights
46 Tests were taken on October 26, 2025 during the 7-hour in-person test session. Congratulations to all MFSCH skaters who passed tests last Sunday!
Special Congratulations to Paisley Tang for passing her Gold Singles/Freeskate Test!!!
Passing the Gold Freeskate Test (also called the Senior Freeskate Test) is the highest Achievement in U.S. Figure Skating’s Test Structure.
Skaters receive official recognition as a U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist in Freeskate. This is a lifetime designation—and reflects discipline, excellence, and long-term dedication.
🎉NQS Sectionals Send off Exhibition/Party November 14th
🎉NQS Sectionals Send off Exhibition/Party November 14th
The National Qualifying Series Midwestern Sectionals Singles Final will take place in Lansing, MI November 17-21, 2025. MFSCH Congratulates six (6) skaters that qualified for Midwestern Sectionals!
Autumn K, Senior
Isaac F, Junior
Rex H, Novice
Scarlett S, Novice
Erica (Zixi), Juvenile
Adrienne K, Juvenile
Join us for an Exhibition and send-off Party to support our skaters at 5:30pm on Friday, November 14th.
ℹ️ Community Connection - News
ℹ️ Community Connection - News
Did you know the USFS Qualifying Competition Pipeline will be restructured for 2026-2027?
NQS levels will be expanded next season. Preliminary and Pre-juvenile will be part of NQS and will advance to sectionals which leads to the development team. Juvenile and above will have a Championship event.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES NATIONAL QUALIFYING SERIES 101. APPROVED
Include preliminary and pre-juvenile singles in the National Qualifying Series.
SECTIONAL SINGLES FINALS 102. APPROVED – Qualifying Competition Pipeline Restructure
A. Advance preliminary and pre-juvenile singles to their respective Sectional Singles Final, with 18 total per event advancing from NQS -per event (4 per region + 6 best NQS scores in preliminary and pre-juvenile girls and boys).
B. Reduce the number of singles athletes that qualify from NQS to the Sectional Singles Final in juvenile, intermediate, and novice singles from 24 to 18 per section (4 per region + 6 best NQS scores).
APPROVED – Require a minimum total element score (TES) for senior athletes only to qualify from NQS to the Sectional Singles Final
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM, CAMP, and U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS 104. APPROVED
Advance juvenile, intermediate, and novice athletes to a Championship competition. The date and location would likely be in proximity to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at a secondary venue, but the rules would not require that.
Singles: Top four (4) per section for a total of 12 (two warm-up groups)*
Pairs: Top eight (8) at the U.S. Pairs Final (2 warm-up groups)
Ice Dance: Top ten (10) at the U.S. Ice Dance Final (2 warm-up groups)
*Novice singles would no longer accelerate to the junior events. All qualifiers for the above event will be named to the National High-Performance Development Team.
A National Development Camp and other opportunities will be held in the spring or summer, announced upon qualification at the Finals.
Criteria for the National Development Camp will include all qualifiers above in addition to additional qualifiers determined by the High-Performance Department and published by the Finals.
OTHER 105. APPROVED – Remove open juvenile as an event in the Championship track.
Note: Open juvenile is not included in the National Qualifying Series or at any other point in the Championship pathway. Athletes at the juvenile level not meeting the age requirements are encouraged to compete in the Excel track.
👏Notes of Appreciation - Thank you
👏Notes of Appreciation - Thank you
Nicole Nichols for Nutcracker proactive communication with Board Members to ensure sanctions are in place and roles and responsibilites are clear.
Triniti Brown for managing the October Test Session, recognizing the effort required in planning & scheduling, coordination of judges and logistics, compliance and reporting, and communication.
April Sharr for hospitality efforts for the test session and Halloween Party.
Courtney Nicholas and Ada Deng for music & announcing during the October test session.
Catherine Ridley for pushing the club for content and showcasing our amazing club members to remind us why we choose MFSCH and why we volunteer to make our club a success.
📸 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! Send as many as you like! We do our best to recognize everyone. Not all submissions are guaranteed to be posted.
Questions? Contact Catherine Ridley at socials.mfsch@gmail.com.
In Case You Missed It - Recent Communications on Social Media
In Case You Missed It - Recent Communications on Social Media
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
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