Posted in News — by Liz
Shred Love would like to introduce you to Savion!
Savion Bayo Drayton
Name: Savion Bayo Drayton
About me: I’m a snowboarder, scientist, and a flag football champion!
What made you join Shred Love? The enjoyment of snowboarding.
How has Shred Love changed your life? It showed me the thrills of snowboarding down the mountain.
Tyson, Savion, & DeKarr
Firsts
First time I went snowboarding was with Shred Love.
First pet I had was Lucky the Cat.
First skateboard park I went to is in Flemington, NJ.
First time playing flag football, my team won the championship.
First job was at Jack’s, by my grandmother’s house.
My first camping trip
Chillin with my little brother, Tyson
Check back next Tuesday to see who’s next!
Posted in News — by Liz
Mountain Creek has invited Shred Love to enjoy an evening of riding and lessons on Go Snowboarding Day! Go Snowboarding Day is Monday, December 20th, as well as our board member/mentor, Mel’s birthday! The evening will consist of an 1 1/2 hour long group lesson, free riding, and a celebration for the “old man”, lol! : )
To be a part of Go Snowboarding Day, please send us an email at info@shredlove.org with “Go Snowboarding Day” as the subject. Please indicate if you will need gear (snow jacket, gloves, and/or snow pants) and rental equipment (boots and snowboard). This event is limited to our participants ages 8-18 and our volunteers/mentors.
Act fast! Registration ends Wednesday, December 1, 2010.
Event Details
Go Snowboarding Day at Mountain Creek (Vernon, NJ)
Monday, December 20, 2010 6:30 – 9pm
Promptly departing Bayonne, NJ at 4pm.
Returning 10:30pm.
Posted in News — by Liz
We at Shred Love would like to introduce you to our participant Tyson!
Name: Tyson Ellis Drayton
About Tyson: I’m 7 years old. I like to play video games on my Wii and DSI. I eat a lot, draw, ride my bike, and play with my hamster.
What made you join Shred Love? My mom said there was going to be snowboarding.
How has Shred Love changed your life? I met a lot of new people and learned how to do tricks.
Me and my friends - Chaz & Sterling
Firsts
First time I learned how to ride my bike, I was six.
First time I took a swimming lesson, I was 3 years old.
First time I went snowboarding, I was 5 years old.
First pet was my hermit crabs.
First time I played flag football, I scored 2 touch downs!
Check back next Tuesday to see who’s next! = )
Posted in News — by Liz
Name: Mel Demetrius Young, but known by a host of nicknames including Demetrius tha Poet & Young Smellz (thanks Jerrie).
About me: I’m the proud father of a son (Marcel, 18) and daughter (Jackie, 13 going on 30). I earn my living as a Vice President – Project Manager and Business Analyst. However anyone who knows me knows that my occupation is that of a Poet/ Spoken Word Artist (just gotta find a way to earn a living off it – lol). I was born in Trenton, NJ and was educated at a Girard College. I served in the US Air Force Reserves during the Gulf War. My hobbies and interests include fishing, snowboarding, art (specifically graffiti) and writing.
Jackie, Marcel, & I tubing at Blue Mountain
What role do you play at Shred Love? As a VP and Board Member, I help vet out business, financial and program decisions. In addition, I chaperoned a group of participants on the mountain. Also, I usually have a hand in any graphic design work associated with the organization, including the design of the Logo.
Why did you become a part of Shred Love? When Liz conceived the idea of developing the organization and its mission, I was “all in”. I grew up in one of Trenton, NJ’s worst neighborhoods, Wilbur Section, and have personally benefited from organizations such as the YMCA, Big Brothers / Big Sisters, and Girard College. Without those organizations, I would not be where I am today. I see Shred Love as being a vital organization to help develop our youth. It also provides a way for me to give back, after all, so much was given to me.
Firsts
First time I strapped on a snowboard, I was 40 years old.
First trip into the half pipe did not go so well. I fell about 10 times.
First time I made it down the mountain without falling; I was stoked for a week!!!
First snowboard was purchased on the way home from my very first snowboard outing (I was immediately hooked).
My First Time
Check back next Tuesday, to see who’s next!
Posted in News — by Liz
Have we met?
No? Well its time we do! Over the next couple of weeks, we will do a “Get to Know Us” feature on the people behind Shred Love. To get the ball rolling, I decided to start with myself, so here goes!
Name: Elizabeth Royster but everyone calls me Liz
About me: I’m the proud mommy of Shanelle, Savion & Tyson. By day, I’m a Senior Quality Assurance Test Analyst aka a software tester, however I’m Shred Love 24/7, ask anyone! = ) I grew up in a pink house in Jersey City with my family - Mom & Dad, my brother Omar, and sisters: Poodie & Jerrie. Wait there’s more, it was a big pink house and a lot of family lived with us, so there were my godbrothers: Lamar, Tykwan, Brandon, and Andre, their mothers Bonnie and Alycia, and all of our pets: dogs, cats, birds, fish, newts, hamsters, guinea pigs, snakes, a rooster… ok too many to remember, lol! As an adult, I only have a few pets: fish, a dog named Pebbles, and a turtle named Slim Thug. People find my laugh and sneeze pretty memorable, lol! I love music, art (I can draw and paint), traveling, knitting, swimming (still learning), reading, and of course snowboarding.
My daughter Shanelle
My son Savion
My youngest son Tyson
What role do you play at Shred Love? I’m the Founder and Executive Director of Shred Love. I should probably list more titles because of all of the work and dedication it takes to make Shred Love a success but I will stop there, no need to make this a 5 page post, lol!
My birthday at Ten East!
Why did you become a part of Shred Love? I became a part of Shred Love because its easy to sit back and point out what’s wrong with the world but its a lot more rewarding to actually change the world.
My "little" sis Monique & I (Little from Big Brothers Big Sisters)
How has Shred Love changed your life? Shred Love has given me the opportunity to give back what so many have given me - a chance. I firmly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and guidance of so many others. At times, I think people put too little value on how a small act of kindness can impact a person’s life. As a teen mother, so many people thought I would fail, almost as if my fate had been sealed. If it wasn’t for the support of a few teachers, friends, and family members, I’m pretty sure life for me would be completely different. Therefore, I feel its only right, that I show others that despite how hard or bad things may seem right now, it can always be better. We are all living proof. One way or another we’ve all had to overcome some obstacles in life and for as long as we live, there will be more. By helping others through those times, we prepare ourselves for the same.
Shred Love has also forced me to set higher goals and become more creative in finding solutions to my problems and that of Shred Love. Our first year panned out to be better than I had ever expected, which to me meant I needed to dream bigger. With all of the success we’ve had so far, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
Shred Love
Firsts
First time I had ever seen a snowboard, I was 14 years old.
First time I went snowboarding, I was 30 years old and was sore for 3 days.
First trick I landed was a butter.
First day of Shred Love’s learn to ride program in 2010, was the First time I cried on a mountain. = )
Check back next Tuesday to see who’s next!
-Liz
