Skater Spotlight: Serena Killams

Serena is a new skater with the LA Junior Derby Dolls.  If you know someone aged 7-17 who is interested in participating in our junior derby program, visit:http://juniors.derbydolls.com/

LADD: How old are you?  What is your derby name, number, and story behind how you came up with it?

SK: 10 years old, Serena Killams #187, my family thinks that I look like Serena Williams with my muscles and all.

LADD: How did you first learn about roller derby?

SK: My mother, Black Mom-Ba, plays and I always watch her.

LADD: How long have you been skating?

SK: Officially 2 months… lol.

LADD: What made you want to try roller derby?

SK: I always watched my mom, and her old league didn’t have a junior derby team… When I saw the LA Junior Derby Dolls I told my mom I have to play, please sign me up.

LADD: Adult skaters often talk about the roller derby community being like a second family.  Is junior roller derby like having another family?

SK: Yes, because it’s easy to make friends.  I like coming to practice and seeing all the other skaters, and we talk and skate and learn together and we laugh and have so much fun!

LADD: Do you spend time with junior skaters away from the track?

SK: No not yet, I haven't had the chance to exchange numbers with anyone yet.

LADD: Do you do anything else for fun besides roller derby?

SK: Yes I play soccer at school.

LADD: What is your favorite movie and how many times have you seen it?

SK: Troop Beverly Hills, hmm… about 20 times.

LADD: Is there an adult skater you look up to... who you want to be like when you grow up?

SK: I look up to Purrfect becuase she is fun, outgoing… and I have fun in classes.... but I want to be like my mom when I grow up.

LADD: What do your friends at school say when you tell them you play roller derby?

SK: They ask me if it’s fun and if it’s similar to the sports they play, and then they say they want to do it.

LADD: What would you say to someone who is considering trying out for junior roller derby but they are unsure whether it is for them or not?

SK: Just try it, you never know if you’re going to like [it] until you try.

LADD: What do you like most about playing roller derby?

SK: It’s really fun and it keeps me active… It builds confidence because roller derby is scary, but when I do it, I realize it’s not so bad, and I get better every practice.

LADD: What was the last book you read?

SK: Bartholomew and the Big Wind.

LADD: How would you describe the roller derby community to someone who is not a part of it?

SK: The roller derby community is cool, everyone is very fun and always excited.

LADD: Tell us a secret about you that feel people know (even your mom!).

SK: I sneak snacks to school often.

LADD: What do you wish someone had told you about roller derby before you started playing it?

SK: The things I can do on the flat track are not so easy to do on the banked. The banked track is very challenging.