Amelia Scarehart #201

Tell us about how you chose your name and number.
I liked the idea of doing a twist on the name of an inspirational woman from history. Someone I could try and look up to, and Amelia Earhart was one that immediately stuck out to me. She was both bold and fearless, famously becoming the first female pilot to ever fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She also happened to live right here in the San Fernando Valley for a short while, so it seemed like the perfect fit.

My number is 201, which is the area code from where I grew up in North New Jersey. I thought it would be nice to carry a little bit of home with me whenever I’m out on the track.

What position do you play? What are your derby goals?
I currently play mainly as a jammer on both the Balboa Bandits and the Fer Sures. In terms of specific goals, I’d obviously love to see how far I can make it as a competitive derby player, but I don’t really have anything set in stone. I just love this sport and want to keep learning and training as much as I can, so I can help my team(s) win.

How and why did you get involved in roller derby?
I had just graduated from grad school a few years ago and was looking for a way to meet new people in the area, as well as get back into shape. I had played sports throughout high school, and part of me always missed that comradery I had with my teammates. Even though I had never owned a pair of roller skates before in my life, roller derby just seemed like an absolute blast to play from the outside. Thankfully, I can now confirm that my suspicions were true, and that it is indeed a lot of fun 😊

Who inspires you on the track?
Honestly, most of the Like OMGs inspire me in some way. I look up to American HurL Doll a lot in terms of being an amazing/consistent jammer. She always has a knack of finding her way through almost any wall, and I just hope my game can somewhat resemble hers one day. Tarascan Terror is another jammer that I want to model my play after. Her quickness and agility have always been impressive to me. Also, all my fellow trash pandas for being so awesome and supportive from my day one.

What is your favorite derby memory?
That’s a tough one to answer. I’ll always remember being a part of the Bandits winning their first league title, even if I wasn’t able to contribute much at the time. Another would have to be jamming for an entire bout for the first time, while also in my first ever Fer Sure game, and eventually being named the MVP after a hard-earned victory.

In what ways has roller derby changed your life?
I’d say that roller derby has definitely helped me build some confidence and self-esteem from when I first started. I’ll also forever be grateful for all the friendships and great memories I’ve made along the way as well.

What advice do you have for someone new to derby?
I’d probably tell them to be patient with themselves more than anything. Don’t get too hard on yourself if you don’t meet all your goals right away. We all learn and grow at our own speed, but if you keep trying and showing up, you will make progress. The sport has given and taught me so much, and I just hope you can experience what has truly been an enriching and rewarding journey for me so far.