Name: Coretta
Nickname(s): CJ, Cjizzle, & Jay
Age: 17
School: High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies, New York

Currently listening to: I have always loved the old stuff for the most part. Bands like Nirvana, Radiohead, Tool, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Bauhaus, Joy Division, the list goes on.

Hobbies: Listening to music, Skating, Volleyball, Dancing, and hanging out at Stoked.

How long have I been in Stoked: I have been in Stoked since Skate ‘07 and will be forever.

Mentor: Cynthia Alfaro

Tells us about your mentor: My mentor is a mix between Polish and Mexican, which I think is so unique. She truly understands how it feels to not fit under any labels in a society that loves to label everything. We are even born in the same month and have for the most part the same outlook on things. Cynthia is also so brave. She had the guts to start her own business. Well she’s in the process of doing so. It takes guts to decide to invest your time, money and energy into something that already isn’t promised to you. But I bet its her destiny.

What’s the best part of having a mentor? Well from what I have seen, Stoked knows how to pick mentors. Having a mentor for me means that you have someone older and more experienced to look to but at the same time they are really cool. So having a Stoked mentor is like having that best friend at school except in this case they will give you all the right answers.

What have you learned about yourself since joining Stoked?: I am more determined than I thought I was or maybe it’s just that Stoked has given me the opportunity to be. Also I have learned what I need to do in order to feel confident and that just be myself and be stoked doing it.

Favorite Stoked Program: Skate because it’s the area that I have the most love for. You can take a skateboard anywhere and do your stuff.

How has Stoked helped you: I don’t know where to start. They gave and still are giving me the opportunity to do really expensive sports at the cost of nothing and I get to do it with like the coolest people in world. They also introduced me to so many important people in so many important places.

When I grow up I want …To be an action sports photojournalist, particularly in the skateboarding industry. (check out her pics from our photo workshop with Redbull last summer)

Anything Else: Yeah, the whole world should be getting Stoked. Yeah that’s right get out of bed, leave that TV alone and go do it.

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