Meagan Duncan, 11, has pretty big dreams for a kid, but, through hard work and dedication, her dreams are actually within reach ... on the ice.

"Even at three years old, she was dancing around all the time and then we moved to Fort Drum and it was so cold ... ice skating it was the sport of choice," said proud mom Nicole Duncan, although Meagan interrupted to clarify that the Disney Ice Princess movie also had a lot to do with it.

So she began lessons and, as Meagan acknowledged, most of it came easily, though she does still have to work really hard at some of it.

"I love jumping the most but really I just love the way it feels when I am on the ice," said Meagan.

In 2011, when the family relocated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Meagan continued skating and began to work with her coach, Heidi Sullivan. Sullivan, who was a double gold medalist at the U.S. Nationals, brings out the best in the young skater, according to Duncan.

"She calms her down and makes sure she is focused and optimistic before she skates," Duncan said. "The two of them just click."

"She is really nice but can be a little tough ... but I like that too," admitted Meagan when asked about Sullivan.

In her most recent competition, the Northwest Pacific Figure Skating Championships, which were held at Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway, Meagan was lucky enough to compete before her father, Sgt. Mark Duncan, in the stands, as well as her mom and younger sister, Emma.

Sgt. Duncan, who has been in the Army for 14 years, has deployed four times and is a generator mechanic currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Support Battalion with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Despite competing against 23 other skaters, many of whom were older, Meagan managed to glide into second place with a near-flawless performance that included jumps, spins and speedy footwork. Placement in the top four secured her spot at the upcoming Pacific Coast Sectionals level competition, to be held Nov. 19-23 in Oakland, Calif.

Though Meagan competes in four to six competitions every year, most of them are non-qualifying, which makes her attendance at sectionals so crucial. From there, the next step is to move onto the US Figure Skating National Championship.

"Once a year you get this shot, so then she will have to wait again," her mother explained. "When you make it to Nationals, even if she doesn't place because she is still so young, you get your foot in the door. Especially at her age, it is hard to win or place, but it is an honor and it is a great experience."

However, the family first needs to raise $2,000 to ensure Meagan's trip to Sectionals next month. Donations to help send Meagan to Sectionals can be made here.

"We have financial limitations so it comes down to what we can afford," Duncan stated. "We ask that if you can, you donate and then share it through social media so that we can continue to spread the word about Meagan and her goals on the ice."

And, as the sixth-grader with straight A's at Harrison Prep School in Lakewood will tell you, she has some definite goals in mind.

"Right now I want to make it to Nationals by doing well at sectionals," she said. "My goal in life is that I want to make it to the 2018 Olympics and then maybe go once or twice more ... but then, after my skating career, I want to become marine biologist."