November 2018 Junior Skater of the Month
My derby name is a play on words of the "Croatoan virus" from Supernatural. My mom and I we're brainstorming name ideas and this one just seemed to fit. My derby number is my favorite numbers 8 and 13 with a zero added on to the end.
I was introduced to derby by a friend from school who played and told me I had to come to at least one practice. I've loved it ever since!
November 2018 Skater of the Month
Tell us about your name.
When I started skating with SFV, my dad was working on a book about James Dean, the Rebel Without A Cause actor who lived his short life in the fast lane. 130 is the number he chose for his new '55 Porsche that he entered into a road race that he never made it to because of his untimely and tragic death. 'Jams Dean' seemed like a good alter ego for me because James Dean's carefree, cool, defiant persona is pretty much the exact opposite of my personality in "real life." The namesake serves as a reminder for me to live in the moment, be present, and experience all of the derby adventures with a sense of reckless abandon because you never know what life will throw your way, so enjoy the ride while you're on it.
October 2018 Junior Skater of the Month
ZORA #471
Age: 13
My roller derby number 471 is the number of my karate black belt #, and my derby name Zora is after one of our cats! I was inspired to start derby from reading an article about roller derby from a kids magazine I subscribe to. It’s hard to say what position I play the most. I enjoy blocking the most because there’s a lot of teamwork involved. What I love most about the sport is that I’ve made so many new friends, and playing the game makes me feel strong. My My best memory is when we won the first game since I had joined the team a year ago. When I tell my friends and family I play roller derby, they say “You play whaaaat?!” It always makes me smile because my friends don’t know me as Zora. My family supports me and come to all of my games and take me to my practices.
October 2018 Skater of the Month
Bellatrix Black (Trix) #20
I chose my derby name because I love Harry Potter, and my favorite character is Bellatrix! She’s really strong and scary and that’s who I want to be when I’m on the track! Sometimes I like to jam, but I’ll usually play any position. And my derby goal is to make it on the travel team.
Dovah, Iceboxx, Moose, Quake, & Gunner are the skaters I find most inspirational. Not only are they awesome players, but they have taught me a lot. And I just love watching them play. My favorite derby memory is my first date! I was very happy about joining and that was the first day I learned how to skate, so every time I’m feeling down about my skating, I think back to that day and remind myself that I came a long way!
September 2018 Junior Skater of the Month
Tiger Lilly #34
Tiger Lily is favorite flower, and 34 was my room number when I was in 4th grade. I'm 10 years old. My friend Nyan Kat introduced me to roller derby. I really enjoy being the jammer! I love everything about roller derby! The challenge, I enjoy learning new things, and the adrenaline!
My most fun memory was when my skate flew off during practice. My friends think it's cool that I'm in roller derby and my mom says I'm a tough cookie !
September 2018 Skater of the Month
Sammi SmackY-Yao #480
My family and I are super into boxing and my name is an ode to Manny Pacquiao for having quick hits.
My main derby position has been mostly blocking lately, and I've been working to don the pivot panty. I have mad respect for all jammers tho!
My derby goals are to be as amazing as Legacy and as tough/hard hitting as Sassy Stone. They both bring the old school derby and new school derby together quite well.
Inspiration comes from all around but if I have to pin point mine, it would be the penalty princess herself, Tokyo Takeout. She has been there for me since my freshie program and the "derby-ship" that has developed through the years is beyond belief. She is always with me and gives the best support or hard criticism that one needs to progress. She has all my respect and is an asset to our league on and off the track.
For my favorite derby memory, and I know I will get so much crap for living in the past but, when my home team the Reseda Wreckers beat the undefeated Maulrats a year or so ago. Our league is very competitive and when we play eachother it's on a whole different level, but it happened and it was glorious! It will always be my go to answer for this question because I love my Wreckers.
August 2018 Skater of the Month
Lollidrop #123
Age: 7 years old
My name shows people that I won't be too easy on them or hard. It's like a lollipop, except I'm gonna spin you around and drop you. I had other numbers that I wanted but they were taken, so I went with my birthdate--12/3. I went to a few games when I was 6 and found out there was junior roller derby, but you had to be 7. After I turned 7, I signed up right away. I most enjoy playing jammer because you get to hit people! What I love most about derby is that you get to hit people! My most fun memory of roller derby is playing ping pong at practice! My other friends and family think it's cool that I play roller derby, but the kids don't exactly know what it is. The grown ups say " cool!"