📆 When: November 8, 2025 at 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Where: Near Evans Ave & Santa Fe Dr in Denver, CO (Exact location shared after registration)
🎟️ Cost: Pay what works for you: $20, $30, $35. No one should miss out. Use code AGISUPPORT and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
💜 Who: AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 6-8
Roller derby mixes teamwork, energy, and a lot of fun. With guidance from professional skaters in Rocky Mountain Roller Derby and Denver Roller Derby, your child will step into a safe, supportive space to try something totally new.
At this beginner-friendly workshop, students will try sock derby. It’s a safe and modified version of roller derby that uses the same skills and teamwork, just without skates. They’ll learn the basics of the game while moving their bodies and discovering new strengths in a welcoming environment.
This event is about practicing courage, building friendships, and experiencing what it feels like to be part of a community where they are seen and celebrated.
Students will walk away with:
Confidence from trying something new
A sense of belonging among AANHPI peers
Inspiration from BIPOC athletes who share their stories
Spots are limited, and registration closes November 5, 2025.
Meet the Storytellers
Mia O’Driscoll aka Zoom
Mia (she/her) 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 Asian Girls Ignite’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.
Katharine Chan aka Kat Possible
Katharine (she/her) 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 Asian Girls Ignite 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.
Janika Hortizuela aka Sweet Dee Stroyher #267
Janika (she/her) skates with Rocky Mountain Roller Derby under the name Sweet Dee Stroyher #267. As a Phillipino athlete and AANHPI woman, she resonates deeply with Asian Girls Ignite’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.