LIFE IS MORE FUN ON WHEELS!

Shawnee Bourenko, from Asbury, was outside on New Year’s Day, skating in a parking lot, practicing some jumps while enjoying the sunshine. Work is closed, why not bring in the new year on skates?

Shawnee, whose derby name is Rosa Ruckus, has played roller derby for nine years, and is a member of New Jersey Roller Derby (NJRD). Over her time on the track, the sport has evolved to become more technical, requiring more skill and strategy, although many years ago, it was known for “big hits and total chaos.” It has grown in the number of teams as well. Currently, New Jersey is home to seven leagues.

New Jersey Roller Derby is comprised of about 50 members, including the All-Star skaters, the Brawl-Star skaters, the rookies, and officials. They skate under Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which is the international governing body for the sport of women’s flat track roller derby, and abide by their rules and regulations. NJRD also has a junior team known as the Small-Stars, for young skaters ages 8-17.

NJRD is a diverse group of people, with members aged 20 to 50, running the gamut of students, teachers, social workers, soldiers, editors, hairstylists, artists, nurses, and stay-at-home moms. They come from as far as Bethlehem, PA, and Newark, NJ, and many towns in between. Winter is the off season, but NJRD still practices at the Villa Roller Rink in Washington. Their first away game for the upcoming season is in March, followed by a home game in April at Inline Morristown. For more information, visit www.njderby.com

When it comes to the people and happenings of Warren County, you can count on award-winning photographer Cathy Miller to be there to record the moment.