Chasing Gold and Goals: How Julia Meltzer Fennell Turned Flexibility into International

For Julia Meltzer Fennell, success was never about choosing between academics and ambition. It was about finding a way to pursue both at the highest level possible. Long before competing internationally or building a successful writing career, Julia was a student searching for an educational environment that could support both her academic goals and her rapidly growing passion for figure skating.

That search eventually led her to George Washington University Online High School (GWUOHS), a decision that would help shape the course of her future in more ways than she ever expected.

Julia attended GWUOHS from her sophomore through senior years, graduating in 2017. At the time, she was deeply involved in competitive figure skating and facing a challenge familiar to many elite athletes: balancing rigorous training schedules with a demanding academic workload. Traditional school schedules were becoming increasingly difficult to manage alongside the hours of training, travel, and competition necessary to grow within the sport.

Unlike many high-level skaters who begin training as toddlers, Julia did not start skating until she was 13 years old. Entering the sport later than most meant she had to work even harder to catch up to athletes who had already spent years training and competing. Every hour mattered, and flexibility became essential.

“With the amount I had to train, my local school just wasn’t working,” Julia shared. “I needed an environment that would allow me to fully pursue skating while still receiving a strong education.”

George Washington University Online High School provided exactly that.

The flexibility of online learning allowed Julia to structure her education around her training schedule while still maintaining high academic standards. Instead of feeling forced to choose between school and athletics, she was finally able to pursue both successfully. GWUOHS gave her the ability to train for hours each day, travel to competitions, and continue progressing academically without sacrificing either goal.

At the same time, Julia challenged herself academically through AP and honors coursework, proving that flexibility did not mean lowering expectations. In fact, online learning pushed her to become even more disciplined, independent, and self-motivated.

She also found strong support from the teachers, advisors, and staff members at GWUOHS who played an important role in her educational journey.

“My advisor, Mr. Humphrey, and my college counselor, Mrs. Bell, were always available for me,” Julia explained. “I spoke with both of them several times a week throughout high school, and they were incredibly supportive not just academically, but personally as well.” Even after graduation, Julia says the support from GWUOHS continued.

“Mrs. Bell continued offering advice and encouragement long after I graduated,” Julia shared. “That level of support meant a lot to me and my family.”

The independence and time-management skills Julia developed through online learning became invaluable as she transitioned into college life.

After graduating from GWUOHS, Julia took a gap year before enrolling at Colorado College, where she majored in Political Science with an emphasis in U.S. Politics and Government and minored in Journalism. Determined to maximize every opportunity available to her, she enrolled full-time at both Colorado College and a local university simultaneously, eventually graduating in just three years.

Her ability to balance multiple responsibilities at once was something she credits in part to her online learning experience.

“K12 prepared me extremely well for college,” Julia explained. “I already knew how to manage my time, stay organized, and work independently because of my experience at GWUOHS.”

Following graduation, Julia pursued another lifelong passion: storytelling and journalism. She worked as a reporter for Colorado Newsline before joining the Colorado College Office of Communications and Marketing, where she now serves as a writer and editor. Over the course of her professional career, she has contributed to nearly 100 published stories covering students, faculty, campus life, and community initiatives.

Her passion for storytelling continues to grow alongside her professional accomplishments.

At the same time, Julia’s skating career has continued reaching new heights on the international stage.

Today, Julia competes internationally as a proud Israeli-American figure skater representing Israel in competition. Her accomplishments within the sport are extraordinary. She is a three-time Israeli Senior Ladies National Medalist and previously qualified for four U.S. Figure Skating Sectional Championships at the Senior level. In addition, she earned four U.S. Figure Skating Senior Test Gold Medals in Free Skate, Pairs, Solo Free Dance, and Skating Skills.

Among all her accomplishments, representing Israel internationally remains one of the moments she treasures most.

“As a proud Israeli-American, representing Israel is one of my greatest accomplishments,” Julia shared.

Her international experiences have also deepened her appreciation for resilience, community, and perseverance. Julia reflected on being in Jerusalem during the events of October 7, 2023, and witnessing firsthand the strength and unity of the Israeli people during an incredibly difficult time.

That same resilience and determination have continued to define her personal and professional journey.

Julia’s experience with online learning also became especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many colleges and universities struggled to adapt to virtual instruction, Julia found herself uniquely prepared because of her years at GWUOHS. She was even able to help professors better understand how students could effectively engage and succeed in online classrooms.

“When Colorado College temporarily moved classes to Zoom, I realized just how prepared I already was because of GWUOHS,” she explained. “I truly believe online learning, when done correctly, can provide students with an equally strong education.”

Today, Julia continues balancing multiple passions while preparing for the next chapter of her journey. Alongside her communications and writing career, she is currently training for the 2026–2027 international skating season with hopes of qualifying for the 2027 European Championships.

Looking back, Julia says attending GWUOHS was one of the best decisions her family ever made.

“Online education was not as widely understood back then as it is now,” Julia shared. “My family highly values education, so there were definitely concerns at first. But after researching GWUOHS and speaking with teachers, we realized it was the right fit for me. It gave me the opportunity to chase my dream of skating for Israel while still preparing for college and my future career.”

Julia’s story is a powerful reminder that students should never feel forced to choose between their passions and their education. With the right support system, flexibility, and determination, students can pursue extraordinary goals while building strong academic foundations for the future.

From balancing AP coursework with elite athletic training to becoming an internationally competitive figure skater, accomplished writer, and communications professional, Julia Fennell’s journey continues to inspire students who dream of pursuing more than one path at a time.

Interested in learning how George Washington University Online High School supports students with unique goals, demanding schedules, and ambitious dreams? Visit www.gwuohs.com to learn more.