The very first time Penelope stepped onto the ice, it was clear she had discovered something truly special. What began as simple joy quickly grew into a passion, and through years of dedication and hard work, she has turned that passion into something extraordinary. Now, at only 13 years old, her dream of skating for Team USA is becoming a reality.

This fall, that dream takes flight: Penelope has been officially invited by U.S. Figure Skating to represent Team USA at her very first international competition — the Tayside Trophy in Dundee, Scotland, on October 11–12, 2025. ✨

Anyone who knows Penelope knows how hard she works. While most kids are still sleeping in on weekends, she’s already at the rink before sunrise, lacing up her skates. Day after day, she trains for hours — falling, getting back up, and pushing herself further because she loves this sport with her whole heart. Her determination has carried her through tough practices, sore muscles, and challenges that might have stopped others her age.

Along the way, she has already achieved some incredible milestones:

• Juvenile Regional Champion 2022

• Intermediate Women’s Silver Medalist 2024

• USA National Development Team Member

• Team USA International Selection Pool Member

• ❄️ And now — officially invited to compete for Team USA in Scotland

Her skating club and everyone who knows her are so proud of all she’s accomplished. But here’s the part many don’t realize — unlike many sports, figure skating families must cover nearly all competition expenses themselves. That means flights, hotels, coaching fees, meals, and entry fees — on top of the year-round costs of training.

For this competition alone, the estimated cost is about $7,500, which covers:

✈️ Flights for Penelope, her coach, and a parent

Hotel and competition fees

Transportation and meals

It’s a huge expense for one family to shoulder, but for Penelope, it represents the opportunity of a lifetime. And while Scotland is her very first international event, it certainly won’t be her last. These funds will help her not only get to Scotland, but also continue her journey representing Team USA on the international stage. ⛸️

That’s why I’m sharing her story — to invite friends, family, and community members to help support Penelope in this exciting next step. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. And even if you can’t give, simply sharing her story helps more than you know.

Her family has promised to keep everyone updated with training clips, travel moments, and competition highlights so all of us cheering her on can feel like we’re part of the journey.

Thank you for believing in Penelope and for helping make her dream of skating for Team USA come true. ❤️⛸️