The first question everyone asks of every rollergirl is, just how the heck did you get into roller derby?
Papierschnitt: A former knitting student of mine, Uzi Sioux, had made the league last year and was skating in her first bout with the Queens of Pain, and several friends and I went to cheer her on. The whistle blows to start the first jam and I was hooked. I told all of my friends, “That and me have gotta happen. You will be cheering me on next season.” The next day I contacted Lezly “The Skate Guru” and started training for try-outs. The rest is history.

Wow, it sounds like it was love at first sight! Had you ever skated before?
PS: I lived on my Pac-Man skates as a kid. Growing up we had a gravel driveway so I did a lot of skating around in the house. The happiest day of my childhood was the day we paved the driveway.

Have you done any other sports?
PS: I was a gymnast for many years and I’ve been bowling since I was 5 years old.

Papierschnitt is a bit…unusual, to say the least. We’ve gotta know--what’s the story behind the name?
PS: In my everyday life I am a hand papermaker. Papierschnitt is German for papercut. I wanted a name that pertained to my everyday life and was menacing. Who doesn’t hate a papercut?

So you’ve got a crafty side, in more ways than one.
PS: I’m very crafty. [I] can jerry rig just about anything with a paperclip, tape, and a shoestring. Call me MacGyver.

That’s a handy skill! Let’s hear more about your “crafty” day job.
PS: I manage Carriage House Paper, a family owned hand papermaking supply company located in Brooklyn. I also run my own hand papermaking mill and studio named Gaptoothed Studio, also located in Brooklyn. And as if that wasn’t enough I teach traditional hand felting at The Yarn Tree in…. you guessed it, Brooklyn. I was destined to be a Brooklyn Bombshell.

You’re definitely an apt representative of your borough! Are you originally from Brooklyn?
PS: I’m from Bellflower, Missouri, a small town in the center of the state with a population of 413. Far more cows than people – guaranteed. It’s a poke and holler town – you drive through town, poke your head out the winder and holler and you’ve said hi to everyone. I grew up on a 400 acre farm where my family still grows cash crops; hay, wheat, alfalfa, corn, etc.

How has playing with the Gotham Girls changed your life?
PS: I’m wound a little tight and derby is my yoga. If I have a frustrating day in the studio I can shake things off because I know at the end of the day I get to skate fast and hit hard. I leave work at work now. I don’t have time to dwell on it because I have to help my team. And of course, my ass looks great!

Well, that’s certainly one great benefit for all to enjoy. Besides maintaining that booty, any other goals for the 2008 season?
PS: Improve my footwork. I’m working hard on having faster feet. When I’m jamming I’m constantly thinking, “Dance little monkey, dance!”

Now that you told us that, we’ll all be thinking it with you! Let’s move from the physical to the mental side of the game. What are the personality traits that you think help you the most in derby?
PS: Discipline, ambition, competitive nature (I really hate to lose, therefore, it’s not an option), ability to take direction and work with others. I feel the last two are key. If you can’t take direction and work with your teammates, you’re not only failing yourself but you’re failing your team.

What’s your favorite aspect of derby? Why?
PS: Strategy – how am I going to get through the pack or how am I going to help my jammer get through the pack…It’s an awesome feeling when you put all the hard work into play and it works. As a team you make that wall and the jammer just cannot get through –SWEET!

You’re clearly a tough, talented, and hardworking woman. Any hidden talents that the world might not know about?
PS:
-I’m not much of a cook but I can make the most amazing quiche. I’ll challenge anyone to a quiche cook-off.
-I can snake a toilet – not while making quiche of course. [Ed. note: Schnitt has ably demonstrated this skill on the toilets at the GGRD Crashpad, almost earning herself a toilet-related derby name that will not be repeated on these pages]

We’re going to have to try that quiche sometime. And uh, we’ll give you a call if the toilet acts up. In the meantime, leave us with a quick summary of yourself, 5 words or less.
PS: Best friend; worst enemy.

Will Papierschnitt be the worst enemy of the Bronx Gridlock and the Queens of Pain? Find out on June 7 and June 28 at the Hunter College Sportsplex at 68th and Lex, NYC. Buy your tickets now!

Want to know more about Papierschnitt? Check out her profile page!