One of the skaters of Sugartown Rollergirls just so happens to be a former beauty pageant contestant! Beauty queens playing roller derby?! That’s crazy right?! We recently sat down with Jillian to pick her brain a little about her pageant days and why in the world would someone who is involved in such an activity that seems to be at the opposite end of the spectrum.
STRG: So Jillian, you are a former beauty queen? That’s something that not a lot of average people participate in. What got you started in doing pageants?
Jillian: I started doing pageants when I was 21 years old. I was a little inspired after watching Drop Dead Gorgeous, and Miss Congeniality. I just thought Why Not? It was a source of scholarship money for my college tuition too.
STRG: Yeah, those movies are pretty funny! Have you won a bunch of titles?
Jillian: The largest and only titled I ever won was Miss Ventura County 2009 which is part of the Miss America Organization. I competed in 2 other pageants before coming out on top and was thrilled when I won. I had the opportunity to represent Ventura County at the Miss California pageant in June. I spent 10 days with 54 other contestants competing for the titled of Miss Cal 09’. And no…I didn’t win =)
STRG: Whoa! You won Miss Ventura County?! What was that like?
Jillian: Winning Miss Ventura County 2009 was well…sounds corny but life changing. It was an opportunity for me to get out in my community and give back. What most people don’t know is that every title holders has a platform statement which is tied to some sort of community service. Mine at the time was Beauty from the Inside Out so I got to go to schools, libraries, and after school programs to talk to young women about confidence, self esteem, and following your dreams. Amazing time.
STRG: I agree, I didn’t realize that so much community service and charity work was involved with pageants. What was your talent?
Jillian: My talent was singing. I’ve been singing since I was about 6 years old and doing theater- so I did a Musical Theater number to Legally blonde “So Much Better”. I also got the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the San Francisco Giants Game in June 2009.
STRG: How did you first discover roller derby?
My dad actually. He grew up in San Francisco watching the Bay Bombers- so of course the “when I was young…” stories would come up he would talk about him and his sisters boyfriend at the time watching the bouts. And that’s where I first heard of derby. Dad’s know best.
STRG: Have you had any previous skating experience before?
Jillian: I’ve had a little here and there. I used to roller skate in my neighborhood and then I started to ice skate when I was about 7- I did that for a few years and then played soccer the rest of the time. So not a ton but a little.
STRG: Why did you choose to join Sugartown Rollergirls?
I’ve always been involved in some sort of sport growing up and my friend brought up the idea right when I was looking for something to “join” and derby was it. It’s one of those sports that really intrigued me. I chose STRG because of the different route I felt they were taking with skating. The style and training technique is what really captivated me though. Learning is skate first play second- I’ve learned so much in my first 3 months of skating and am doing things that I never dreamed I could be doing- I was excited and still am about the track- that is awesome- it’s also been really fun building the track as a team and seeing this teams vision come to play. So, so far STRG has been the ideal match for me.
STRG: What do you think about training under the world famous Coach Brian “Blade” Gallagher? Is he as good of a Coach as people say he is?
Jillian: He’s awesome! To have a coach who has so much experience and to be taking the time to train us. I definitely agree with the idea of first having the basic skills and foundation of skating before playing the game of derby. It’s giving us a chance to become the best skaters we can be based on skills but then taking skating to next level and learning the game. Expect the unexpected from us.
STRG: Do you think you’ve really progressed in the months you’ve been with Sugartown? Do you think you would be at the skill level your currently at without
Coach Blade?
Jillian: Probably not. What I really appreciate about Coach Blade and what makes his training technique unique from others is that he looks as you as an individual and your individual strengths and weakness. Yes we do team activities during practice and group work but Blade works with you 1:1 and teaches you how to correct your body to get the right positioning and “feel” what it’s supposed to feel like. He also doesn’t mind having you try something to see what happens. Maybe the outcome is “great you landed it” or maybe its “crap, that didn’t work- what can I do differently to make it work?” The biggest thing that I have learned from Coach Blade is “that if there is a will, there is a way” and that is what motivates me to continue skating past the falls and bruises.
STRG: Sounds like you really enjoy the style of teaching he brings. Before our little interview comes to a close, what is some advice that you could give to anyone with or without derby or skating experience who is considering joining Sugartown Rollergirls or the Sugartown Men's League that may be intimidated?
Come out and try it- you never know- take a Saturday Class with Coach Blade through California Skate School and just get a feel for it. That’s what I did. I haven’t been on skates since I was like 12 years old besides the occasional winter ice skating. You don’t’ need any fancy skates to start either- so don’t be embarrassed! We all had to start sometime. I wasn’t sure what to expect so I brought my big 5 roller skates with pink wheels and a pink helmet and struggled around the flat track. After talking to Coach Blade and some other ladies I was sold. Skating has now become my new passion. What’s there to lose?
If you want to be a part of Ventura County’s first and only banked track roller derby league, don’t be shy! If you simply have a few questions about joining, or a ready to roll, send an email to STRGfreshmeat@yahoo.com
If you are interested in participating in a California Skate School class hosted by Coach Brian “Blade” Gallagher, you can find information on their website at www.skateschool.com
Don’t forget to add Sugartown Rollergirls and Coach Blade on Facebook!
