Learning Strategies of Self-Defense

Eagle Hill girls join Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation in a self-defense workshop.

Ten girls from Eagle Hill School recently participated in a self-defense workshop led by the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through education in safety awareness and self-defense. Vanessa Marcotte, the cousin of an Eagle Hill alumna, was tragically killed by an assailant while on a run in 2016, and her family and loved ones established the foundation in her memory.

Throughout the session, students learned strategies for staying safe, including how to be aware of their surroundings, how to assess potentially dangerous situations, and when and how to take action.

Led by Jessica Geary and Stephanie Whitaker, the group traveled to Quabbin Regional High School, where they took a number of their female students for an hour-long workshop. Throughout the session, students learned strategies for staying safe, including how to be aware of their surroundings, how to assess potentially dangerous situations, and when and how to take action. They practiced defensive moves on punching and kicking pads under the guidance of experienced trainers and gained developed skills and knowledge to respond confidently in a crisis.

“Our girls asked thoughtful questions, bonded with students from Quabbin, and left feeling a little safer and more confident than when they arrived,” said Mrs. Geary. “They were engaged, enthusiastic, and took the message to heart.”

At the conclusion of the workshop, each participant received a personal safety alarm and whistle—tools they could clip to their belongings for emergencies.