Meadowthorpe Fifth Grader Skates Toward Goal

Ryan Xia, a rising fifth grader at Meadowthorpe Elementary, dreams of becoming an Olympic figure skater. His mom, Tracy Lu, celebrates how Ryan thrives both in and out of the classroom.

In our district’s Gifted and Talented Accelerated Program (GTAP), Ryan is immersed in a learning environment where excellence is expected and supported. And the critical skills he has developed – time management, resilience, and strategic thinking – have directly transferred to his athletic training and competitive mindset. 

The latest payoff? Ryan recently placed 10th in the Juvenile Plus division at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Excel National Final and Festival in Colorado. As the only Kentucky skater to qualify at this level, he gained valuable experience on a huge stage. 

Ryan is now training intensively with his coaching team to master more advanced elements of the sport – working on triple jumps, higher-level spins, and new choreography. His progress this summer will help shape his competitive strategy for the new season.  

“The GTAP at Meadowthorpe has been an essential part of Ryan’s journey,” Lu said. “More than just academic rigor, GTAP has nurtured Ryan’s creativity, self-discipline, and confidence. He has learned to aim higher, think critically, and embrace challenges — whether solving a complex math problem or performing under pressure on the ice.”

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