Brittany Orozco, a 20-year-old CNM psychology student, has been learning roller derby for 3 months. Everything started when one of her friends, who knew she liked the sport, told her about a roller derby game flyer.
When Orozco went to see it, discovered that everyone interested in being a “derby girl” could sign up and get started, since then, she is part of the Roller Derby learning crew held by the Duke City Roller Derby, the New Mexico’s first All Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby League since 2005.
Roller derby is a growing contact sport in America, predominantly female, played on roller skates. The revival of roller derby took place in the early 2000s, in Austin, Texas. It is a contest between two teams, held on a circular track, in which the teams race around the track in each unit of play, working to free the teammates for the opportunity to score by lapping one or more opponents. Equipment required for the game are quad skates, elbow pads, wrist guards and mouth guard.
The Duke City Roller Derby club has three teams: two travel teams, the All-Star travel team named Muñecas Muertas and the Juggernaughties; and it junior team, the Marionettes from age 10 to 17. The members of the league offer practices from 6 to 8:30 p.m. every monday at the Heights Community Center, to those who want to learn roller derby, providing equipment for the trainings.
“It has been difficult but mostly fun,” Orozco said.
Orozco is looking to improve her skills and pass the “skill test”, a test supported by the league every month where participants are tested to see if they can play games with one of the teams and finally get to play in a game.
Heather and Katie Rooke are more than twins in nearly every way: they are majoring in the same degree, but also participate in many organizations at UNM.
Heather and Katie are both majoring in business but chose different minors. The sisters are first-year students at UNM, but have enough credits to be sophomores. UNM was not the sisters’ first choice, but they found out it wasn’t what they expected and started to like UNM more than they thought they might.
“UNM wasn’t our original choice for school, but I think the organization we got involved in and the stuff that is extracurricular are the things that make me actually realize UNM is okay and I like it,” said Katie.
Heather is the secretary of Howl Raiser and Katie is the football cheer for Howl Raiser.
They are both in ASUNM Community Experience, Lobo Spirit and Student Special Events. Every day the twins are busy with classes in the morning and then they often attend numerous meetings in the afternoon. Even though balancing school and their duties in those organizations is complicated, its a lot of fun for the twins, they said.
Since high school, they were in many clubs and they are used to balancing out their daily schedule. Heather’s favorite organization is ASUNM Community Experience.
“I always liked community service,” said Heather. ASUNM CE is a volunteer organization with many different events. Katie likes Student Special Events the most because of all the music. The organization puts on concerts and fiestas for the University community.
Despite the time demands of the organizations and clubs, the twins are still able to hold a 4.0 GPA.
Looking to the future, Heather said she hopes a background in community service and just being involved will help her get mentorships and a career in corporate relations.
Katie said she participated in organizations first to add to her résumé, but then she said she discovered the organizations actually help people. She said she learns different type of skills and develops networks.
Katie and Heather Rooke would recommend that upcoming freshmen and other students get involved and try all the organizations to find which ones are the best for them.
Local activist Mary Jobe scribbled on the ground with a stick while sitting on the grass at Mesa Vista Community Center on May 3. She drew a heart next to the phrase, “RIP Oreo,” then sprinkled little yellow flowers all over the doodle.
“He had drug problems, but he wasn’t violent,” she said. “He didn’t support his habits in a violent way. He was not a violent man. He was a wonderful father. He was actually the one who attended all the parent conferences and took the kids to their doctor’s appointments because I was always working during the day.”
Jobe’s husband Daniel Tillison was shot dead by an Albuquerque Police Department officer in 2012 just one block from the community center. The officer, who APD subsequently identified to have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, thought Tillison’s cell phone was a gun, she said.
APD has been involved in 25 fatal shootings since 2010.
At the time, Jobe’s daughter was 3 years old while her sons Davontate and Isaiah were 7 and 9 respectively. He said their father’s death has had long-term effects on them.
“My kids cry for their dad all the time,” she said. “My youngest daughter has PTSD. She’s terrified of police. My older son has a lot of anger issues. He’s having a lot of trouble because of his dad’s passing.”
Jobe, 30, is now one of the most prominent organizers in the APD protester movement, she said. To push for the prosecution of APD officers involved in shootings, she passes petitions for a grand jury investigation of police around town.
“Even with money, if we get a settlement, I’m still going to continue to fight for justice,” she said. “I’ll fight tooth and nail until I’m six feet in the ground if I have to.”
Lilly Trujillo smiles as she thinks back over the past 50 years, “You know when you see birds and they kiss, then you see stars, I know it sounds silly, but I did. Man what a wonderful thing it is if you stick together.”
Lilly and Carlos Trujillo met at Garfield junior high school. Carlos, a good friend of Lilly’s brother, told her at that time that he was going to marry her one day. Little did they know at that time this would become reality just a few years later. They began dating during their sophomore year in high school, and married a year after graduation.
Tonight, 52 years after they started dating, Lilly helps Carlos adjust his suspenders, moments before they enter the 50-year anniversary masquerade party their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends have thrown them. Lilly and Carlos have both dedicated their lives to their children, and to others’ children who were in need of their guidance and influence.
“I believe it’s not you at that moment, there are times when you are together, but it’s your children. You make sure they are safe, and stay focused. When the children left, we kept our focus on each other,” Lilly said. She explained that she believes that this kept their relationship strong and kept them together.
Although Lilly admits that she likes to be the boss, she says that the secret to staying together is to respect each other, even if there is a disagreement, You should respect one another’s feelings.
“You should never be disrespected. If you are in harmony, it’s wonderful. But if you have fallen out of love, then respect each other enough to leave. If it’s not working, and you have tried but are miserable, then get out.” Lilly said.
Protesters take over a city council meeting held at the Vincent E. Griego Chambers at City Hall on Monday afternoon. The protesters demanded the recall of Mayor Richard Berry and served an “arrest warrant” to Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden.
The New Mexico Ballet Company is trying to help dancers with the cost of their shoes and other supplies with the Dancers Relief Fund Showcase on April 26.
The current Lobo Volleyball players defeated the Alumnae players 3-0 at Johnson Center on Wednesday night.
Over a hundred people showed up to Civic Plaza on Saturday morning to show their support for the Albuquerque Police Department
A disabled PHI Air Medical helicopter, which crashed on the roof of the University of New Mexico Hospital on Wednesday evening, was removed successfully on Saturday morning.
Albuquerque residents came together for a third time on April 4 to protest against the Albuquerque Police Department.
March 21:
APD releases video of James Boyd’s killing
March 25:
About a thousand people gather in front of APD headquarters to protest Boyd’s killing.
March 26:
Hacker group Anonymous announces second round of protests through a video press release posted on YouTube.
March 30:
Second round of protests occur, resulting to multiple standoffs among protesters and police. Protesters get tear-gassed after 12 hours of protest.
March 31:
Two follow-up protests happen near UNM. Protesters hold community forum to hash out demands to APD.
APD Chief Gorden Eden holds press conference to justify the police’s use of force during Sunday’s protest.
April 2:
Community holds candle vigil for Boyd at the site of his killing.
Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry holds press conference to announce that his request for preliminary results of the Department of Justice’s APD investigation and for collaboration with plans to decrease violence in the police department.
The online group Anonymous has jumped on board in opposition of the Albuquerque Police Department’s use of deadly force in the death of James Boyd. Protestors have again taken to the street.
New Mexico earned its third straight Mountain West tournament title with a 64-58 victory over San Diego State at the Thomas and Mack Center Saturday in Las Vegas, Nev.
New Mexico earned its third straight Mountain West tournament title with a 64-58 victory over San Diego State at the Thomas and Mack Center Saturday in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Lobos beat Boise State 70-67 to advance to the Mountain West tournament final against San Diego State on Saturday.
New Mexico improves to 14-11 all time in the Mountain West tournament with a win against Fresno State Thursday night 93-77. New Mexico will take on the winner of Friday’s semifinal session between Nevada and Boise State.