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2012 Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Grants Awarded

Michaela Keils (photo courtesy Keils Family)

(11/17/11) U.S. Figure Skating announced today the two athletes who have been awarded grants from the Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Fund. The fund provides support to intermediate, novice and junior athletes who demonstrate financial need.

Michaela Keils (Arctic Figure Skating Club) and Karen Chen (Peninsula Skating Club) will each receive a $5,000 grant to assist them with skating expenses for the 2012 calendar year.

Keils (11), from Farmington Hills, Mich., skates at the intermediate level. Coached by Theresa McKendry, she placed fourth at the DuPage Open in August before competing at the 2012 Eastern Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championships last month. The seventh grader at Dunckel Middle School is involved in Girl Scouts and cheerleading. She also assists with the Arctic Edge Learn to Skate program. To strengthen her skating skills, Keils enjoys taking ballet and hip hop classes.

Chen (12), a native of Fremont, Calif., is the reigning U.S. intermediate titlist and recently won the 2012 Central Pacific Regional Figure Skating Championships at the novice level. She is coached by Sherri Krahne-Thomas and Gilley Nicholson. Chen is a straight-A student who attends K-12 Virtual Academy.

Karen Chen (photo courtesy Chen Family)

The Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Fund was established in 2008 by Joyce Komperda in honor of her parents. After a successful and rewarding career at one of Wisconsin's most prestigious law firms, Komperda now spends her time judging U.S. Figure Skating competitions. She resides between her two homes in Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Minocqua, Wis.