My son is going to Junior Nationals

[TammiMcMan]

I can't believe it. When I got home from work today, there was a message from US Figure Skating headquarters in Colorado. I guess a skater dropped out and due to my son's placement at his regional competition, he has been invited to compete at nationals. We are totally un-prepared and DH and I are scrambling trying to figure out how to get him there. We're in Massachusetts and the competition is out in Scottsdale Arizona in just 3 weeks. There is paperwork to fill out, he needs a physical, not to mention airfare, hotel and transportation. I don't know how we're going to do this in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but he's worked so hard and this is an amazing opportunity for him. He's already made a bunch of phone calls to all his friends and their parents have even offered to help out with fundraising for us. I thought that was so nice of them, but unfortunately, we don't have enough time to try and put something together. It's something that will affect the whole family, so we've let all 3 kids know that Christmas will probably be very small this year, but they're all old enough to understand and appreciate that this is a wonderful gift for their brother. I'm so proud of all of them and asking for some pixie dust for my son.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Congratulations.............this is a great honor. I understand the financial impact on you. DD is an allstar cheerleader and we do fundraising but we have time on our side. She travels to FL, NJ and CA this coming season!!!

What about asking local companies to sponsor him???

I wish you DS the best and represent MA well!!!

Go for the Gold!!

 

[worm761]

congratulations!!!!!

 

[honeywolf7]

OMG, how AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there a name we should listen for?

 

[DoeWDW]

What an honor for him!! I know it will be tough to put together, but you have to send him, right?? I'm guessing that everything will come together and you'll find a way.

I'm sending pixie dust your way for easy trip planning and a great competition for your DS!!

 

[Laura]

Congratulations!

 

[cati]

That is wonderful news. Maybe you could get a few businesses to sponsor him. Try your local radio stations and tv stations. They could then get the community behind you. I am sooooo happy for him. What an accomplishment!!! PM me andlet me know what name to be listening for.

 

[Beast fan]

I have a cousin whose son is a goalie on the USA Junior Olympic Roller Hockey Team. We are very close to my cousin and her DH (they are the god-parents for our DS's 5 & 3), so we understand the financial difficulties involved.

Congratulations and best wishes to your son..... and Pixie Dust to your other children for understanding the value of Christmas!

Dave

 

[FreshTressa]

WTG!!! How exciting! And stressful. I wish him the best of luck and you the best of luck getting it all set up! You're gonna be busy, Tammi

 

[Pam]

Wow!!!! congratulations!!!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

WOW!!! Big time figure skating fan here. I'm sure he worked his butt off to get this far! How old is he?

Is Juniors the same format as Seniors? A Short and a long? Or is there a qualifying, too? I thought Junior Nats ran alongside Seniors???? It did in Philly in '98.

Here's LOADS of pixie dust for as many clean programs as he needs!!

GOSH!! That's EXCITING!!!! Good luck to him!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and support to my son. He is 13 and he'll be competing at the intermediate level for only the 3rd time. Depending on how many boys they have, there may be a qualifier where he'll have to skate his long program. If he moves on, then he'll be doing his short program, plus the long program again. We've only been involved with figure skating for about 3 years now and in that time, they've always had junior nationals separate from the novice, junior and senior skaters.

I appreciate the advice on soliciting some local business's to help defray the cost. I'm going to work on a letter this weekend and send it out to the chamber of commerce, the rotary and a few other clubs in the town. I believe that his skating club will also make a contribution and I'll check on that when we skate tonight. This is all so new to us and I think we're still in a little bit of shock right now. When DH came home last night, he said that he had processed a loan request through his 401K, so we should be able to cover the full cost ourselves if we need to. I'm also lucky enough to come from a big family and they are all jumping in with offers of help.

Unfortunately, the junior nationals are not televised, but they are going to be on a webcast pay-per-view, so I can watch him from home.

I'll keep you all updated!

Tammi

 

[Big V]

WOW! That is so great for your son! I'll wish him Good Luck!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Very cool!

Congratulations to him. And good luck with the fundraising.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

OOOH, I love figureskating and actually have tears in my eyes! How exciting for all of you! Please keep us posted! Sending lots of Pixie dust your way!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

[Dan Murphy]

That is wonderful, Tammi!!! So very happy for him, and all your family. Soundslike you have a great one. Best wishes, congratulations!!!!! I can 'see' you beaming with pride and joy!!!

 

[Meriweather]

Congratulations!! And best wishes.

DD went though all the Nationals and Junior Olympic things when she was younger. It is an unfogettable experience!!

 

[CRB#33]

What a tribute to hard work and dedication!

Congratulations to your son and best wishes in the competition!!!!

 

[cati]

OHHH Tammi, you mean you wont get to go........???
Please tell me that if the community joins with you and raises a bunch of money then you will get to go.

I know you must be soo very proud. I am so happy for your family. I will pray that good things keep coming your way. Keep us posted on everything.

 

[TammiMcMan]

OHHH Tammi, you mean you wont get to go........???

Even if we were able to raise the extra money, I just started a new job and I don't have any vacation time yet. Plus we also have a 2nd grader and it would be tough to take her out of school for a whole week too. I get way too nervous at his competitions anyway. I literally have to shut my eyes. I think having me around would probably make it harder on him. DH is much better at handling these situations. I know it's not the same as being there, but I'll still enjoy watching the video tape of his performance.

The big thing for us is that he just separated from his coach of 3 years. They're relationship has sort of grown apart over the past few months and after regionals, he decided to take some time off and think about what he wanted to do. He had just decided that the best thing for him would be to switch coaches and then the call came about junior nationals. Needless to say, it's made for a complicated situation. But, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and it will all work out in the end.

Thanks for your continued good thoughts. It's really appreciated.