Happy holiday weekend, derbygoers! I’m sure a lot of you will be watching some great fireworks on the fourth, but this week’s featured skater is packing some much more impressive explosions! The passionately patriotic U.S.Amee is captain of Cornfed’s A team and acts as a mentor to many of our skaters. This star spangled skater may look sweet, but her signature move has sent many a skater clear across the arena. As many of us know, sending skaters sprawling from sea to shining sea isn’t a trick that just happens overnight. Amee is a self proclaimed rink rat, and practically grew up at Gibson’s Skating Arena. Being an experienced skater isn’t the only thing that has made Amee thrive. “I have done so many things out of my comfort zone–physically and mentally.” A huge part of her success is that she’s not afraid to jump wheels first out of that comfort zone. “I have always been quiet and shy and at first it was very hard for me to come out of that. I forced myself into taking leadership positions for CFDD to not only help the league, but to help myself grow as an individual.” She practices hard and plans drills that challenge and foster each skater’s individual ability. “Leading practices is so hard for me! The thought of talking in front of so many awesome skaters is so overwhelming! But with the support of each and every one of them, I get through it.” Amee is constantly trying new things, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing and trying again-but she’s always laughing and pushing herself to the limit. 
With her hard hits, fancy footwork, and booty blocks, it’s easy to see why derby loves Amee. But what does Amee love most about derby? “What I love most about derby is a hard one! So many great things about this sport! From getting in shape, being on my skates (that I like more than shoes), to the fact that this sport accepts any and every one! It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or how you chose to live your life! There is always a place for everyone! But…ultimately, what I love most about derby is all of the friends I have met along the way that I now consider family! I don’t know what I would do without them!”
When she’s not speeding around the track, Amee is speeding around after two well known pranksters. “When I’m not on skates, I am a momma of two rotten boys! They are my world! We spend a lot of time at the ball field watching them become awesome athletes!” Between baseball games and her husband’s football games, Amee isn’t unfamiliar with the risk of injury in sports. One of the most frequent questions derby girls get asked by friends and family is usually along the lines of “Aren’t you afraid you’re going to get hurt?” or “Yeah, throw some elbows! Break some teeth!” Obviously the actions in the second question are mostly prevented by rules, but accidents in derby do happen and injuries can be super scary. Roller derby is such a fun, crazy, amazing sport, and Amee isn’t intimidated by the risk. “To feel what I feel on the track, with so many awesome people, absolutely outweighs the thought of getting hurt by a million! I may get into my older years, not being able to walk because of my “roller derby knees” but man, the stories I will be able to tell!!!” 
Come be a part of those stories and see Amee make people red, white and bruised on Saturday June 9th as the Cornfed All Stars take on Naptown’s Warning Belles in the last bout of Season 6. Amee has also been a huge part of encouraging and teaching Cornfed’s B team, the Missfits, who will play Naptown’s Third Alarm. “My favorite moments this season have been watching our B team’s first season unfold and watching each of those B.A girls kill it and grow!! Makes my momma heart just melt!!” Get your heart melted too! Come down to Gibson’s and help U.S.Amee Make America Skate Again! Doors open for the double header at 5 p.m. with a 6 p.m. start time for the All-Stars game. Tickets at the door are $10 per person or $8 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets or from any Cornfed Derby Dame. College students are just $5 with an ID and children ages 10 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket (limit two children). Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available at the concession stand. An after party will follow the game at Big Shots Pub, 700 S. Nichols St. A portion of all bout proceeds this season will benefit ForGirls ByGirls.