Spotlight: SeanA the Dead

Name: SeanA the Dead

Number: 168   

Position: Blocker 

Tell us about your non-derby self:  

Well I am a wife and mother of three. I work with children/teens/adults on the Autism Spectrum, which is where my # comes from--1 in 68 are diagnosed on the spectrum. Awareness and acceptance is very near and dear. In my small bits of free time I enjoy being crafty. 

Were you a fan of the Dire Skates before joining?  

Not as much as I should have been! I had heard about the team and thought how awesome the whole sport seemed to be.

Why did you join roller derby? 

So many different reasons. First off I wanted to be a part of something. I also wanted to do something for me. As a mom I didn't get out and have my own time and this seemed like the perfect outlet for that. 

What is your favorite part of roller derby?

 I love the ladies on the team. They have all been supportive and are great at including us "fresh meat" in various things going on with the team. I also love the new found confidence I have in myself. I feel fit and healthier. I feel more comfortable in my own skin. I enjoy knowing that I have pushed myself a lot over the last few months, not only physically, but mentally. When I accomplish something new I feel so proud of myself. All in all it has been nothing but positive. 

What are your roller derby goals? 

Since I just accomplished my biggest goal (27/5) I have a whole new derby chapter opening up. I have to learn the game! I hope to not be so hard on myself as I learn.  

What do you hope Dire Skates can do for Richmond? 

I hope that the team can continue to being something positive about our town. In all of the hard times our community has recently come into I hope that people continue to see what all we really have to offer! 

What are you skating on right now? 

Riedell R3 with Radar Villain wheels. Soon to be upgraded to a harder wheel, still searching the internet for what I want. 

If you could skate anytime, anywhere. Where would it be and why? 

I would have to say in this cool weather being out on the trail in all of the beautiful fall colors would be quite pleasant. 

If you could have famous person dead or alive join the team, who would it be and why? 

Ummm. I think too much on questions like this. I really don't know who I would choose... 

Tell us one thing you want us to know about you: 

I work hard and try to be the best I can be in all that I do. I take on a lot and do my best to be successful with it. Which can be bad, too, because when it takes me awhile I am my own worst critic. I try to think of the positive side of it though, it means I push myself to be better and I can't be upset with that.  

Tell us one thing about another skater: 

Just one? I can't choose just one. They have all been awesome and helped me along the start of my derby journey.

Reid BRAvo!

Our next home bout is fast-approaching and we could not be more excited--not only because we get to play derby, but because we are playing for such a wonderful organization, Reid BRAvo!.

BRAvo! holds a bra-decorating contest each year in order to raise awareness about this serious issue. As noted on their Facebook page:

"Each bra decorated by a community member tells a story – strength, survival, memory, or humor – but all will catch an eye and remind women to be proactive when it comes to breast cancer.

We hope you will join our cause. Proceeds will provide free digital mammograms for uninsured women and financial assistance for patients in need. "

And the need is real. As noted on the BRAvo! website, the American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 get a screening mammogram once a year as long as they are in good health.

Their website provides further context for the need for screenings:

So please join us on November 15th at 6pm at the Kuhlman Center as we play to raise money for this great organization. We have so much fun stuff planned:

• Impressions Photography will have a photo booth full of pink accessories set up at our bout. You can take photos with your friends or your favorite roller girl! The photos will be posted to the photographer's Facebook page.
• Big Dawg Brewhaus will be serving our Dire Skates-exclusive beer, helles on wheels.
• The Test Middle School drum ensemble will be performing at half time.
• And ROLLER DERBY!

 More info about the bout can be found here--let us know you'll be there and be sure to spread the word!

Silliness

American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 get a screening mammogram once a year as long as they are in good health. - See more at: http://reidbravo.org/no-excuses/#sthash.eYYNZbPm.dpuf

Get the Facts

• 567 women are diagnosed in the U.S. – per day
• 109 breast cancer patients die in the U.S. – per day
• 37% of women over the age of 40 in our area have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months
• In Indiana alone, 4,350 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
• Approximately 53 women in Reid’s service area die each year of breast cancer.
• The American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 get a screening mammogram once a year as long as they are in good health. Schedule yours today by calling (765) 983-3358.
• If you cannot afford a mammogram, BRAvo! can help. Call 983-3358 and ask about the Community Benefit mammogram.

- See more at: http://reidbravo.org/no-excuses/#sthash.eYYNZbPm.dpuf

Get the Facts

• 567 women are diagnosed in the U.S. – per day
• 109 breast cancer patients die in the U.S. – per day
• 37% of women over the age of 40 in our area have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months
• In Indiana alone, 4,350 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
• Approximately 53 women in Reid’s service area die each year of breast cancer.
• The American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 get a screening mammogram once a year as long as they are in good health. Schedule yours today by calling (765) 983-3358.
• If you cannot afford a mammogram, BRAvo! can help. Call 983-3358 and ask about the Community Benefit mammogram.

- See more at: http://reidbravo.org/no-excuses/#sthash.eYYNZbPm.dpuf

October Skater of the Month: RollHer Zombie

Gina, or as she is known to us, RollHer Zombie, is both a blocker and jammer for the Dire Skates.  Gina is one of the founding members of the team and her dedication has held strong over the years. Her dedication is most evident in her ability to motivate her teammates to push themselves to do their very best.

On the track Zombie is a powerful and valuable player, a crowd favorite. Off the track, Gina is in charge of our finances, which means she keeps track of money spent for bouts, our skater dues, taxes, merchandise, and our donations to local charities and organizations. In addition to this, she is a trainer, which means she works hard to whip us into shape, leading workout sessions outside of practice, off-skates practices, and often leading or joining in on trail skates.

Additionally, Gina can always be counted on to listen and support her derby sisters. Gina is a considerate friend and teammate who often puts others and her team before herself.



Assistant Coach, Mr. BadAZZ had this to say:

Zombie is a big part of Dire Skates. She is a trainer, handles financing, and is a lot of help with the team merchandise. She also gives me a helping hand when Coach can't make to practice. She helps me by running drills and conditioning for the team. She hits hard and skates fast. Thanks for all you do, Gina.

Goregon says of RollHer Zombie:

Gina is a natural leader who gets results when leading the team in drills, exercise, and on the track. She's also a tireless worker, balancing the books and monitoring our team accounts. It doesn't hurt that she's got an amazing personality.

DJ Smear-O had this to say:

Gina has been totally dedicated to this team since its inception. I look up to her in mad ways. She's awesome on wheels and a rocking chick with a tender heart. She's a sister and friend to me as well as a tough as nails trainer who whips my saggy, floppy ass into shape

Emily KickNsuM added this mushy bit about her derby wife:

Gina has always been one of my biggest rivals on the track, even though we are on the same team. The Dire Skates used to host scrimmages against each other and we were always on opposite teams and it felt like jammed against each other over and over. Even though pinned against each other some how we fell in love, or I did anyway. That’s how I found what we call a derby wife. She is that person on the team that pushes me harder at practice; we see eye to eye on most team decisions, but most importantly she has became someone I can call for anything. It's something I love about derby because I found a great friend that I believe will be a friend beyond derby careers and crazy life changes, someone that I don’t think I would have ever became friends with if not for roller derby. "Roller Derby saved my soul," is a quote used often… but its not just roller derby the sport that saved my soul its skaters on the team like RollHer Zombie that saved my soul.

 Thank you for all you do, Gina!