Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, October 13, 2008

Disc jockey spins skate tunes, juggles work and school

 From the hustle to hip-hop, styles of dancing change through the years at Everett Skate Deck. Def Leppard was a favorite of Steve Peck, a disc jockey at the rink in the 1980s whom I wrote about in July.

Peck is still recognized around Everett from his years at the rink.

When Brandon Richards has his way, skaters cruise around and around to rap by Lil Wayne.

Brandon, 16, is a new disc jockey at Everett Skate Deck.

"He's a great kid," said Nicole Warnock, who helps run Everett Skate Deck with her family. "He's an awesome worker."

Her grandfather, Eric Englund, built the rink in 1976.

Work at the Skate Deck includes making sure the flow of traffic is in sync. Brandon makes announcements:

"We ask you to please skate safely, slowly, and in the same direction at all times. We ask you to please not cut back or across traffic. Please watch your step entering and exiting the floor. We are going to turn the lights down now and return to regular all-skate."

It isn't like Brandon is killing extra time having a part-time job.

This is one busy teen.

"Brandon is a well rounded, determined and very hardworking person," said his sister, Krista Richards. "He is enrolled at Cascade High School as a junior and goes to school full-time at Everett Community College. He plans on becoming a police officer. Brandon has a part-time job at Everett Skate Deck and is searching for a second job to help pay for his schooling."

Most of his friends don't have jobs, Brandon said. He pays for insurance for his 2001 Plymouth Neon, makes a car payment and pays for his cell phone.

"I think I probably should make more time to have fun, but school is important and I have to work to pay my bills," Brandon said. "I still find time to do my homework and get good grades."

His mother, Sheri Block, said her son is the kind of person who goes out of his way to please his parents. He takes her flowers at work.

"I am a very proud parent," Block said. "I could not ask for a better son."

Friday nights in middle school, Brandon's friends hung out at Skate Deck. After two other part-time jobs, the Running Start student applied for work at the rink. He hands out skates, does security, works in the snack bar and plays tunes.

"When we are not busy, I try to help kids that are not that great at skating," he said. "I just try to teach them techniques so they can go without falling so much. If they are sore, we get them a bag of ice."

Being the DJ and announcing the hokey-pokey and the Chicken Dance, is fun, he said.

He loves choosing his own music.

"I listen to rap, hip-hop and R&B," Brandon said. "I like the beat and most of the lyrics."

Brandon said he has a favorite quote.

"Some of the best things in life are worth waiting for."



Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA