Going through the IB Diploma program requires hours of studying and community service. These students dedicate a lot of their time towards school and their projects. Seniors,  Jada Yancey and Kayla Hughes wanted to make a difference in the community by hosting a self defense class.

“We’re both IB diploma candidates and so we were trying to look for projects that would impact the community. Since there have been a lot of human trafficking incidents in the area we thought it would be a good idea,” said Hughes.

A lot of planning and communication had to be done before the self defense class was ready to be put on.

“We had to get in contact with ‘Mindful Defense’, a self defense class based in Overland Park and contact an admin and also the One by One project which is an organization that helps fight against human trafficking,” said Hughes.  

This self defense class was much more than just a grade, Yancey and Hughes wanted their project to make an impact on the community.

“I think it’s important because a lot of people don’t think human trafficking will happen to them, but it happens more often than people think,” said Yancey.

This self defense class was a new experience for both Hughes and Yancey.

“I’m interested in the class because I know it is meaningful but we don’t know anything about self defense I want to learn the basics, but we don’t really know what this class has in store for us,” said Yancey.

The class offered many takeaways for senior Madilynn Herrell.

“Taking the class made me realize a lot of things that I have never considered before,this class was very important, especially for the young people in our community. Often times we give people the benefit of the doubt, but this class showed us that not everyone is as genuine as they seem to be. I think this class was a big eye opener for all of us,” said Herrell.  

The instructor demonstrated simple moves that was suitable for beyond high school students.

“My favorite part of the class was probably the self defense moves that the instructor showed us. There were some cool fun ones, but there were also simple effective moves too,” said Herrell.

Yancey and Hughes were able to present an IB diploma project that not only went towards their diplomas, but also made an impact on the community. With initiative and determination, the two seniors offered a class of learning moments and moves to stop real threats almost anybody can do.

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