SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A small local school has received statewide attention and the right to brag about a groundbreaking program that is helping young women build their confidence and protect themselves as they step into their future.

Veribest ISD is one of 12 school districts within Texas to be selected in Texas School Business magazines 18th Annual Bragging Rights. According to a press release from Texas School Business magazine, these accolades "recognizes school districts that have implemented programs that are bettering the lives of Texas' students, schools and communities". For the remainder for 2024 and through 2025, VISD gets to brag about the self-defense program that they offer to junior and senior girls with the help of the Gladiator Defense Group, LLC.

VISD Superintendent Mandy Traylor's dream of helping young women learn to defend themselves started with the help of Carl and Tanis McCoy at Gladiator Defense Group, LLC. in Carlsbad. As Texas grew to the second highest trafficking state and many people face the reality of dating violence, a program to teach girls how to be aware of their surrounds and provide tools to prevent something drastic from happening was just the thing needed to prepare students for the future.

"Education is my passion, but we are not doing enough to prepare students for the world we live in," Traylor explained. "Teaching academics will always be our focus, but we are working at Veribest to give students skills for the real world. Some of those skills might very well save their lives one day."

Now, the program that started in 2022 gives junior and senior girls the chance to spend an entire school day to work with the military and law enforcement individuals that make up Gladiator Defense Group, LLC.

"Our students miss for extracurriculars that are all valuable, and they always do a fantastic job staying on top of their coursework, so I feel one day out of class to learn self-defense is appropriate," the superintendent said. "One day that could protect the rest of their lives sounds like a good investment to me. "

According to Traylor, the girls are shy about practicing in front of others and are not sure what to expect when they begin the course. The first 45 minutes of the course is in a classroom setting, providing the girls the chance to get to know the trainers and break the ice as they start learning things such as how to escape holds and restraints.

"Once they are able to engage in the classroom, and get an understanding of why this is so important, the girls are unstoppable," she said. "By the end of the day, they are strong, smiling, and exploding with confidence."

Thanks to donors, VISD is able to offer this course to its girls every other year. Although the self-defense program is currently designed for Lady Falcons, Traylor shared her hopes to expand the course one day.

"I want my students to be academically ready, but I also sleep a lot better at night knowing that when they graduate and fly from our Falcon nest, they have skills that will protect them from a problem that continues to grow at a rapid rate. I know in my heart they left me knowing that they matter and that they are capable to face the challenges ahead," Traylor said.

VISD is excited to continue offering their self -defense program as a 1A rural school along with other courses like Adulting 101 that teachers students how to file taxes, vehicle maintenance, etiquette and other useful skills they will need as an adult.

Traylor shared Veribest is incredibly honored to have their program highlighted along with eleven other schools. Other schools that were nominated and included in the annual Bragging Rights presented by Texas School Business magazine are:

• Conroe ISD - Winter Catalog
• Corpus Christi ISD - All Kids Bike
• Ector County ISD - Principal Interns
• El Paso ISD - Trend Walks
• Gregory-Portland ISD - PAWSitive Praise and Wildcat Walks
• Katy ISD - Commercial Drivers License Program
• Little Elm ISD - REFRAME
• Pasadena ISD - Stream Team
• Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - National Board Professional Teaching Certification
• United ISD - United Against Vaping
• Waxahachie ISD - Innovative Teaching Coalition

Those who would like to help support the VISD self-defense program can donate to Veribest ISD. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 490, Veribest, TX 76886.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/education/veribest-isd-wins-statewide-award-self-defense-program/