By Mary-Justine Lanyon
That’s what Coach Abby of Lake Arrowhead Jiu Jitsu told the girls who are part of Every Girl Counts, the program Soroptimists International of Rim of the World offers to girls at Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School.
Coach Abby and Lyndsay Hauss, the co-owner of the jiu jitsu studio, taught the girls some basics of jiu jitsu to defend themselves at the Jan. 28 program.
“It’s not about strength, it’s about technique,” Coach Abby told the girls. “You are not there to fight but to get away.”
She also armed the girls with some affirmations: “I am strong. I am brave. My body is powerful. I can do hard things.”
Following their jiu jitsu lesson, the girls played a game in which they said kind words to the girl they had partnered with. “It’s important to give yourself kind words,” Lupe McDonald, who coordinates the program, told the girls. “You have to try to boost yourself up with words of empowerment.”
The girls also participated in an art project. McDonald had written the words “I am…” on a white board. She then added powerful words the girls shouted out: kind, helpful, thoughtful, cheerful, brave, respectful, fearless, generous, cool, smart, unique, loving, beautiful, strong, talented, awesome, charming, creative, resilient, loyal, stylish.
The girls made themselves Valentines, drawing flowers and then adding positive words to the petals.
Building on the last meeting, McDonald asked the girls if they had thought of a way to help someone else. One girl said she had given food to a homeless person. Another said she had helped someone with their math homework.
The Soroptimists had a special guest at this meeting: Charlie Van Cleve, a district director who oversees eight clubs. She lives in Big Bear and had heard positive things about this Every Girl Counts club.
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