With a quick stab of the elbow, piercing fingers to the eyes and a wallop to the stomach, girls in the senior class at Upper Arlington High School are learning how to protect themselves. Community relations officer Dan Stanko, along with training officer Greg Ellifritz, suited up while patrol officer Tracy Hahn led students through several attack scenarios. They have to use their self-defense skills to get away from us. The course also includes a series of lectures touching on topics such as rape and robbery prevention, dorm room safety, binge drinking and date rape drugs.
College is a big step.
This is the first time they will be on their own. Students lined up to take on the heavily padded officers were apprehensive about testing their skills. This is serious, this is your life we're dealing with. Stanko said when it comes time for the girls to practice their moves, they get the jitters. Stanko said practicing their moves with the padded officers is a meaningful lesson.