Event Diaries: Roll With It - Beginner Roller Derby
The Roller Dome in Denver buzzed with energy as middle school students from Asian Girls Ignite (AGI) gathered for Roll With It: Beginner Roller Derby. Rock music filled the air. Skates clattered against the floor. Flyers, flags, and posters emphasizing inclusivity set the tone for a day centered on courage, confidence, and community.
Designed for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 6–8, this event used movement and storytelling to build confidence, connection, and community. Students explored belonging in a space that celebrated identity and teamwork.
AGI high schoolers Eleanor (they/she) and Nevaeh (she/her) helped middle schoolers ease into the day, guiding warmups and cheering them on from the sidelines.
Eleanor, who has been part of the roller derby community since seventh grade, modeled youth leadership and confidence, showing that courage grows through practice and play.
As the scrimmage began, students leaned in.
🤔“What do the stars on their helmets mean?”
🤔“How do they score?”
🤔“Why do they fall and laugh instead of getting mad?”
Our storytellers from Rocky Mountain Roller Derby and Denver Roller Derby sat beside them, explaining the rhythm of the game, the teamwork behind every move, and how each player’s unique strength matters.
BIPOC Athlete Storytellers Who Inspire Belonging
When the rink quieted and the music softened, the storytellers shared their journeys—stories that blended courage, identity, and intergenerational connection.
Janika Hortizuela aka Sweet Dee Stroyher (she/her) spoke of falling often, laughing harder, and finding confidence through effort, not perfection.
About Janika
Janika skates with Rocky Mountain Roller Derby under the name Sweet Dee Stroyher #267. As a Phillipino athlete and AANHPI woman, she resonates deeply with AGI’s mission, having experienced times when her identity was minimized or misunderstood. She believes strongly in building communities where AANHPI voices are celebrated, empowered, and visible — something she wished she had while growing up.
Beyond derby, Janika identifies as neurodivergent, a middle sibling, and a passionate crafter. She finds joy in creating with her hands, savoring coffee, and recharging with naps. For her, roller derby is more than a sport — it’s a way to embody resilience, community, and self-expression.
Katharine Chan aka Kat Possible (she/her) described what it meant to be one of the few Asian skaters in her league and how authenticity led to belonging and connection.
About Katharine
Katharine skates with Rocky Mountain Roller Derby and has proudly competed with Team Philippines, Chinese Nations Roller Derby, and Team API Fury. As a Chinese and Filipino athlete, she brings a global perspective to the sport. Growing up, she was fortunate to be part of a diverse community with a strong Asian American presence, but she still remembers the challenge of finding her “group.” She believes a community like AGI would have made a big difference in her own development, which is why she’s inspired to support its mission today.
Beyond the track, Katharine identifies as an adoptee, a dog mom, and the oldest sibling. She finds joy in the strength and connection roller derby brings, exploring new cuisines, and spending time with her husband and dog. Her favorite comfort foods — like dim sum, lumpia, and lechon — remind her of home and the richness of her heritage.
Mia O’Driscoll aka Zoom (she/her) shared how joining Team Korea gave her space to celebrate identity, honor both sides of her culture, and find community belonging.
About Mia
Mia is a proud Korean and White roller derby player with Rocky Mountain Roller Derby who skates under the name Zoom. She formerly competed on the world stage with Team Korea in the 2018 Roller Derby World Cup. Outside of derby, she’s a parent and healthcare provider, committed to creating inclusive spaces in her work as a private practice lactation consultant.
She’s inspired by AGI’s mission of courage, compassion, curiosity, and connection, especially in a city like Denver where finding community can be challenging. Mia believes that hearing and sharing stories can help validate experiences and offer new perspectives.
When she’s not on the track, you can find her skating for fun, curled up with a good book, or camping outdoors. Foods that feel like home for Mia include comforting dishes like kimbap, kimchi jjigae, and seaweed soup, which connect her to her Korean heritage.
Each story became a bridge between generations, cultures, and lived experiences, nurturing personal growth, belonging, and the celebration of identity through shared stories.
Building Confidence on the Derby Track
After hearing from the storytellers, students were ready to move. The rink filled with energy again as teams formed, laughter spread, and AGI high schoolers Eleanor and Nevaeh helped guide the next activity: sock derby.
It was time to put courage into motion.
What Is Sock Derby?
Sock derby is a beginner-friendly version of roller derby played without skates. Participants wear socks and glide or shuffle across the floor to safely learn positioning, blocking, and scoring. The activity teaches teamwork, coordination, and communication while keeping the excitement and strategy of the sport intact.
At first, students moved cautiously, giggling at their wobbly steps. But soon the room filled with laughter and cheers. Mistakes turned into learning moments, and the rink became a space of youth empowerment and supportive community, where every fall was met with encouragement.
Quiet students stepped forward. Friends reached out their hands. The air buzzed with belonging and connection, and each round of play strengthened trust, courage, and friendship. The activity became a moving example of positive youth development and social-emotional learning, helping students experience teamwork and resilience in real time.
Reflections from the Day
As the day came to a close, students gathered in our closing circle to reflect. If you’re unfamiliar with closing circles, it’s our way of wrapping-up in community by sharing a collective breath and voicing our head (something we learned), heart (something we felt), and hands (something we’ll take action on).
At this event, we heard our students share:
💬“Trying new things and being okay with not being perfect.”
💬“A safe community feels like trust, fun, and knowing you’ll still be accepted if you make mistakes.”
Moments like these capture what Asian Girls Ignite strives to build—safe, culturally affirming programs that foster youth leadership, identity and culture, and a lasting sense of belonging. With the help of community support, students build friendships, form authentic connections, and experience personal growth in spaces that honor who they are.
The Roller Dome became a mirror for courage, a classroom for empathy, and a reminder that every shared story and moment of play helps build a more connected, confident generation of youth.
💜 Thank you to our storytellers Janika, Katharine, and Mia, AGI high schoolers Eleanor and Nevaeh, and the group of volunteers from the local roller derby community for helping our students roll toward courage, community, and self-trust.
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About Asian Girls Ignite
Founded in October 2020, Asian Girls Ignite is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth to celebrate their individual and collective power. We use storytelling to empower the next generation to write their futures in their own voice. Our programs and events nurture social-emotional learning to help our students grow in resilience, empathy, and self-awareness.
