Message from the President
Message from the President
Embedded Files
As summer winds down and the school year begins, our skaters are already off to a busy start both on and off the ice. The competitive season is underway, and we are excited to cheer on our skaters as they represent our club at competitions near and far.
Nutcracker show auditions are also in progress, and planning is well underway for this year’s production. It takes the support of many volunteers to make the show a success, and we encourage everyone to get involved; your time and talents make all the difference.
We look forward to celebrating the success of our skaters in the rink, in school, and throughout our community. In this edition, you’ll also find a new FAQ section to help answer common questions, along with a Community Connection section to highlight news that impact us across the skating community.
Thank you for being part of our skating family!
Wendy Barnard, President
👋 Meet the Board Spotlight:
Wendy Barnard, President
👋 Meet the Board Spotlight:
Wendy Barnard, President
Hometown: Houston - Memorial
Background: University of Texas at Austin - Finance;
30 years in Oil & Gas & Business Consulting
USFS Roles: Official - Scoring Officials Training Committee, Adult Skater, Volunteer, Coach, Athlete
Skating Highlights: 26-time Medalist U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships (Singles, Pairs, Dance), Double Gold Medalist in Adult Moves in the Field/Skating Skills & Singles
Fun Fact: Loves cheering on skaters just as much as competing!
Goals for the Season: Build community, celebrate achievements, and make MFSCH an unforgettable experience for every member.
I’m looking forward to fostering a supportive, welcoming environment for all skaters—whether they’re lacing up for the first time or competing on the national stage. I believe our club’s strength comes from the dedication of our members, volunteers, and families, and I’m excited to work together to make this a memorable season!
Wendy Barnard, President
🙋 Volunteer at the Club Info Table!
🙋 Volunteer at the Club Info Table!
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 PMContact: Courtney Nicholas (Board member)
📸 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 equally, but not all submissions are guaranteed to be posted.
Questions? Contact Catherine Ridley at socials.mfsch@gmail.com.
💂 Nutcracker on Ice Schedule
💂 Nutcracker on Ice Schedule
The Nutcracker is for all ages and skill levels. Sign up using the button below and join the fun!
Audition: Sept 13 for LTS skaters or those who have not passed the Pre-Preliminary Skating Skills test. Fee: $30.
Flowers
Sep 13 - Nov 7: Orders for flowers open
Nov 7: Payments due and order form closes
Practices:
Saturdays, between 9:45-11:45 AM
(Check your email for Group practices)
Mandatory Dress Rehearsal: Dec 12, 4 - 8 PM
Nutcracker Show: Dec 13 - 1 PM Matinee & 6 PM Evening
🏁 In-person October Test Session
🏁 In-person October Test Session
Mark your calendars! Our next in-person test session is Oct 26, 2025 from 6:00 AM–1:00 PM at Ice Skate Memorial City. Registration will open closer to the test date. Keep an eye on your email and sign up, spots go quickly!
🔍 Find Additional Test Sessions on Entryeeze
Need to test sooner? Other skating clubs also host in-person and virtual test sessions through out the year. Search for them on Entryeeze: Find a Test Session.
⛸️ Request Test Credit Through IJS Protocol
A skater’s IJS (International Judging System) protocol from a non-qualifying competition can be submitted for test credit for the following levels:
Juvenile-Senior free skate
Adult Gold free skate
Juvenile-Senior pairs
Juvenile-Senior free dance
📚 Resource Highlights - Fostering an Inclusive Environment
📚 Resource Highlights - Fostering an Inclusive Environment
Creating a Welcoming Environment
Thank you for helping us create a supportive and inclusive environment for all skaters, coaches, officials, and families on and off the ice.
SkateSafe Education
The U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe Program offers free online courses for parents/guardians, skaters age 18+, and skaters 17 and younger to help everyone create a safe, positive space in our sport. Learn more about SkateSafe and access to training courses.
Check out the Parent and Guardian Guide to Athlete Safety here.
⛸️ Skating Accommodations for Testing and Competition
⛸️ Skating Accommodations for Testing and Competition
Did you know? U.S. Figure Skating has a Skating Accommodation Memorandum (S.A.M.) for skaters who may need accommodations during testing or nonqualifying competitions. You can learn more on the Adaptive Skating page or in Back to Basics: Adaptive Skating, which include details and downloadable forms.
ℹ️ Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
ℹ️ Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Q: Where do I find the rulebook for US Figure Skating?
A: The rulebook is updated annually and can be searched online. See here for the 2025-26 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook.
Q: What are the benefits of a secondary Club Membership?
A: A secondary club membership enables a skater to:
Receive club pricing on freestyle sessions
Participate in club member opportunities such as Nutcracker and Holiday Exhibitions
Attend club parties
Participate in Series kick-off/send-off exhibitions if schedule/ice time permits.
Because skaters represent their home/primary club at competitions, home clubs provide gifts and club merchandise. MFSCH club-branded gifts are reserved for home club members representing MFSCH.
📰 Community Connection - News
📰 Community Connection - News
EMS Fee
"Since the inception of U.S. Figure Skating’s Event Management System (EMS) we have been fortunate to provide access for our members at no cost to users. In order to continue to provide an effective and efficient industry-leading system, a nominal usage fee will be added beginning September 1, 2025. This new 3% platform fee will apply to all EMS payment transactions (entry fee, practice ice purchase, late fee, etc.). This change allows us to deliver more updates and enhancements to the system to improve performance, security, and customer support."
-- USFS, August 25, 2025
Recipes wanted from the skating community for a Cookbook in Memory of Flight 5342 Victims
Visit SkatersCookbook.com to participate! In memory and honor of those tragically lost, Michelle (Bingham) Capron is creating Volume III of the Figure Skaters' Favorites cookbook series. All members of the skating community can participate by contributing recipes and brief memories or reflections about skating or about those we have lost.
Figure Skaters' Favorites III - Recipes, Reflections, and Remembrances will be in memory and celebration of the lives of those we recently lost, with ALL of the proceeds going to the USFS Family Support Fund. There are also opportunities to submit messages, remembrances, or ads.
Submissions are due by the end of September. Books are expected to come out by the end of 2025, in time for holiday gift-giving. Cost will be $40 each. Copies of Volume III can be reserved for a $20 deposit, with balance and shipping cost due prior to shipment.
Please visit SkatersCookbook.com, or email questions to Michelle at SkatersCookbook@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Subscribe to the Google MFSCH Public Calendar to see upcoming events!
Coming Next month: Annual MFSCH Halloween Party - Date TBD
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse