Seaside 15-year old works to save her dream
Jeremy C. Ruark | 0 comments

All Justyce Tabor wants to do is skate.

The 15-year old Seaside girl is now ranked as a professional skateboarder, but her dream to compete in the X Games, the superbowl of skateboarding, is now threatened.

Tabor said the slowed economy and a new twist, the X Games organizers dropping female skateboarding competition in the Games, has her so concerned she will travel to the X Games being held at the Staple Center in Los Angeles July 29 – 31.

“This is pretty big because if I get a chance to skate at the Games maybe some of the Games organizers will realize how well I can skate,” said Justyce.

“The organizers have said that girls don’t bring interest to the Games anymore, they are stale, they aren’t pretty and they are no longer marketable,” said Justyce’s mother, Brandi Tabor.

“That’s B.S.,” said Justyce. “To skate at the X Games is what I have been working for my entire skating career. I am going to keep fighting. We are progressing everyday. The Game organizers just don’t see that progression. Even when I am old I will be working to have them recognize us.”

“This is an opportunity for Justyce to go down there and be able to appear at the autograph booth of one of our sponsors,” said Brandi.

“We are hoping that Justyce and the other female skaters that will be there will be able to convince the organizers that there is enough interest to bring the girls skateboarding back to the X Games.”

Justcye’s father, Mike, said the family is committed to supporting their daughter and her dream.

“Unfortunately this industry, like everything else in America, is struggling because of the economy. So things like the female skating at the Games are being eliminated,” Mike said. That’s why Justyce is going to Los Angeles to fight for her dream.”

The Tabor’s will drive their daughter to Los Angeles and the X Games, a trip they say will cost about $2,000 to $3,000.

“Her sponsor can get us in to the games and help with the parking costs, but we will have to come up with the rest of the money,” said Mike. “This isn’t the first time that someone has said, ‘this is not going to happen. It’s over, or it can’t be,’” said Mike. “Justyce will continue to prove them wrong. If she can skate at the Games, they will see how talented she is”

Justyce has been competing at tournaments in Oregon and around the world. In 2010 she was ranked the third in the world in skateboard bowl competition in her gender and age group.

Brandi Tabor called her daughters skating talent unique.

“She is a really good skateboarder, said Brandi. “And the drive she has is just unbelievable.”

Justyce parents also believe that their daughter is learning life skills through her sport.

“She is learning what it takes to achieve your dreams,” said Brandi. “Never give up.”

Mike Tabor’s message to the X Game organizers is simple: “At least give them a shot, before you cut them out,” he said. “Give them a chance.”

Justyce is ready to show what she can do.

“I won’t be nervous when I am at the Games,” she said. “I am used to competing. I am going to go out there and have fun.”

See original source here