Charlo girls learn self defense from trained officer
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
CHARLO – “Hit, hit, hit,” yells self-defense instructor Levi Read during warm up drills behind the Charlo High School gym Friday evening. “Good, now let’s move on to chokeholds.”
Each night 6-8 Charlo High School junior and senior girls, plus a few mothers of the girls come out for the two hour class where Read teaches laws that protect them, along with different maneuvers to protect themselves if attacked. This includes learning how to properly take a gun away and how to roll out of being confined in a chokehold.
“All the girls have learned a lot so far,” Charlo senior Kinley Pope said. “Levi has helped to build up our confidence if anything did happen.”
Pope jumpstarted this class after reading about the successful self-defense classes Read had taught, thinking it would be a nice addition to her resume, and a helpful tool to take to college. She’s competing for a Montana Gear Up scholarship, worth up to $22,000.
“I thought it would be a good idea to have the class,” Pope said. “I think the things we’ve learned are good for people to know. It’s a good idea to know this before college.”
Pope added that the class has been an enjoyable experience, but that Read has expected a lot out of the girls.
“It’s really fun,” Pope grinned. “Levi makes it intense, but it’s fun to punch and kick things.”
During Friday’s class, Pope’s mother Sheila Young was right there with the younger girls, kicking, punching, and loving every minute of it. Young completed all five days of the class, and said that it’s been a great experience for herself.
“The class has been above what I ever expected,” Young said. “Levi’s been good about telling us realistic things that may take place. I wish we’d go another week.”
Young added that the biggest excitement for her was seeing the junior and senior girls’ gain confidence on the very first night and have it continue to grow as they got deeper into the class.
“I hope they never have to use it, but it’s good they’re learning it,” Young said
As Friday was the final evening of the weeklong self defense class, Read pushed the girls to their limits, mixing up a combination of techniques and moves learned in the previous four days. Fellow student Jacen Petersen braved the brunt of the action, agreeing to suit up in a padded outfit for multiple classes.
According to Read, he’s provided self-defense classes since 2006 when he joined the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
“In today’s society I see violence perpetrated against people who are passive, but being passive doesn’t work, those people are trying to harm you,” Read said. “I want people to know they can resist and get away from an assault. I’m trying to give these girls options to protect themselves.”
Read says it can’t hurt to add another tool to their toolboxes, and that the class greatly improves their mental state and how they perceive danger.
“Hopefully I can plant a seed in them and they keep after it,” Read said.
