The room fills with the laughter of girls as it echoes off of the walls. Everyone tries their best to take down their partners and simulate a real world situation with each other in a safer environment.
On the first day back from Christmas break, the members of Rosebuds Junior Garden Club are already busy and taking action with their monthly club meetings.
On Jan. 8, 2024, members met in the dance studio on campus to get self-defense instruction from the TISD police officers. Members watched as visuals of several different maneuvers were demonstrated and then practiced the techniques themselves. The meeting concluded with a sweet treat and beverages provided by the Rosebud sponsors.
“We learned some self-defense from one of our female Texas High School officers,” junior Jordan Womack said. “She showed us what to look for and how to get out of certain situations by using our strengths and mind to our advantage.”
Although the Rosebuds don’t want to ever be put in a situation where they must put these skills to the use, they understand the importance of learning and knowing them.
“I hope that the case doesn’t come to where I have to apply what we learned to my everyday life,” sophomore Michelle Lopez said. “But I would definitely use them in the future if I had to.”
Most members have most likely never taken any self-defense classes or had any training so this meeting marked their first exposure to it.
“It’s important that we learned self-defense because we are an all girls club,” sophomore Hailey Jackson said. “Many of us are uneducated on this and have never taken a class to learn how to defend ourselves from anyone.”
The meeting provided a fun new experience for members that they will be able to apply in other places in their lives.
“My favorite part of the meeting was getting to practice the techniques with my friends in a safe environment,” Lopez said. “I was able to prepare myself for a real world situation were I would have to put these skills to the test.”
As the meeting came to an end, the Rosebuds reflected on all they learned.
“We were laughing and having a good time,” Womack said. “We were also obtaining knowledge that can make us feel stronger in being independent.”
