Girl Scout Becomes Sk8 Crime

Would you believe that Sk8 Crime was a Girl Scout and lives every day by the Girl Scout Law? Now, I’m sure you could argue that the Girl Scouts don’t really encourage the aggressive behavior that Sk8 Crime exhibits while knocking down the opposition.

You could even say that the name “Sk8 Crime” doesn’t invoke the “respect of authority” that one would think a Girl Scout should have. And as for making the world a better place…how can someone who knocks down girls on roller skates be all that caring or responsible to her community?
What you don’t know is that the notorious Sk8 Crime actually comes from a long line of Girl Scouts. Starting with her grandmother—who was not only a troop leader in her younger days but was also actively involved in the Great Rivers Girl Scout Council as a volunteer coordinator—Sk8 Crime’s early childhood and adolescence was defined by the community, values and experiences of scouting. The tradition was passed from her grandmother on to her aunt, who donned the sash and vest and grew up to be a competitive swimmer and now the director of a recreation center. Even Sk8 Crime’s father was involved in the Boy Scouts, an experience that would lead him into learning about nature and would eventually inspire his little Sk8 Crime’s passion for wildlife and preserving the environment.
Girl Scout Sk8 CrimeAs a child, Sk8 Crime would spend a lot of time with her family, going on nature hikes, camping, making art, riding her bicycle, and most importantly, roller skating. No matter what she did, her family supported and encouraged her talents. And through the Girl Scouts, Sk8 Crime learned the values of respect, responsibility, and friendship while building her confidence and self-esteem.
With courage and strength, Sk8 Crime has taken her skating to new levels as a blocker with the Cincinnati Rollergirls. She is always there to assist her teammates on and off the track, and is often the first person to create community with the opposing team by dancing with them at the after-party. And though her vicious hits during the game may make her seem unfriendly, Sk8 Crime is an advocate for non-violence and respect to everyone regardless of their differences. In her role as general manager of events for the Cincinnati Rollergirls, she utilizes the strength of her teammates to serve the community by initiating service projects and collaborative events with local charities. And while signing autographs for young fans, she encourages them to be smart, strong, and athletic…and to take up roller skating. We may never know how exactly Sk8 Crime turned out the way she did, but one can most definitely say that the scouting lessons that flow through her blood has empowered her to be an impressive athlete as well as a humanitarian.

The RollerGirl Scout Law…
(Quoted text from the Girl Scout Law, and interpretation by Sk8 Crime)

I will do my best to be

  • honest and fair, (I will admit to committing a penalty, and will give my teammates an opportunity to hit the opposing jammer, instead of knocking her down over and over again, all by myself.)
  • friendly and helpful, (I will smile at my opponents before I hit them, and give my teammates a whip or push when they need it)
  • considerate and caring, (I will make holes for my jammer so that she has an easier time getting through the pack)
  • courageous and strong, (I will not be afraid to play any team, no matter how much bigger they are than me, and I will slam into them with as much force as I can muster)
  • responsible for what I say and do, (I will go to the penalty box when the referees tell me that I’ve done something wrong without any objections)
  • and to

  • respect myself and others, (I will wash my pads frequently so I don’t smell as bad, and promise not to take down any opponents and ride them like a pony, or call them names while we are skating)
  • respect authority, (I will not argue with the referees or my coach, even if it was a stupid call)
  • use resources wisely, (I will only eat the vegetarian pizza at the after party, so that the meat-eaters can have as much pepperoni as they need,)
  • make the world a better place, (I will organize and participate in roller derby events that benefit charity organizations, or promote the empowerment of girls and women everywhere)
  • and be a sister to every Girl Scout. (I consider every rollergirl to be my sister in the sport of roller derby, and will support them as much as possible… unless she eats my pizza… Then it’s ON!)