Derby Girl of the Month - Bluebonic

Published Jan. 20, 2010 at 6:09 p.m.

674635-derby-girl-of-the-month---bluebonic

I'm very pleased to introduce you to one of the youngest members of the Mad Rollin' family, Bluebonic. She is a dedicated volunteer of time, hard work, and awesomeness. Read more here!

Tell us a bit about how you got involved with the Mad Rollin' Dolls.

The first time that I ever saw a real derby bout was here in Madison, for Derby In Dairyland. My parents received tickets, and we decided to go. It was their first bout also. We were there with a few of my parents friends, and they knew Fleur Tatious. I was really interested in the atmosphere of everything, and all the great people. It was then that I decided that wanted to be involved. Fleur helped me get involved in the league, and I became a Rink Rat for the 2009 season. I guess the rest is history.

How is it being one of the younger volunteers associated with the league?

It’s kind of strange considering that I am only 16, but it also is really cool. The derby is super accepting of my age, and it doesn’t really matter to them. The funny thing is… that most of them can’t even tell I am 16. Last year, everybody thought I was 18, if not 21, and always asked if I was going to try out for the next season. Then, I would tell them, sure, in six years! I would get strange looks at that answer, and had to explain that I was only 15. But in general, nobody really cares that I am one of the youngest, I know many skaters and staff that are older than me, and it doesn’t seem to bother them. That’s another reason why MRD rocks!

I hear you are looking to start a junior derby league in Madison - what are your plans for that project?

Yes, I am looking to start a junior league. When I became a part of MRD, I knew I wanted to be a skater, but also wasn’t old enough. There had been talk before of starting a junior league, but it never came about. I figured, well, if they need someone to start trying to make it happen, why not someone who could skate on the team? I also thought that since I was younger, it would make more people see that younger people do want to skate and be involved with roller derby. This year I look forward again to working on advancing this project, and to make it a reality. I know there is interest in the league, now it’s just a matter of time until the league takes shape. I know I will be contacting some of the other junior leagues in the country and especially the two new leagues in Wisconsin. (Appleton and Lacrosse both have recently started junior leagues.)

Do you intend to try out for the league once you are old enough? and is there a team you hope to play on?

I will definitely want to try out for MRD when I am old enough. I have always enjoyed skating, and I try to convince my gym and health teachers to let me bring in my Riedells if we are having a rollerblading day. As for the team I want to be on, that would be tough. To pick one is like picking your favorite child… so I say all of them!

What is your favorite thing about derby?

My favorite thing about derby is the people. Everyone is great. They aren’t afraid to be who they are. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I also like that with derby, you can be tough and a girl. You don’t need to be anything, but yourself.

Anything else you would like to add?