Deshler High students learn self-defense techniques

The world can be a scary place sometimes, especially for younger generations like school-age boys and girls.

However, some students at Deshler High School now have a few skills that could come in handy if they ever find themselves accosted by someone else.

Sergeant Ivan Corona and Officer Ben Derrick of the Tuscumbia Police Department recently held self-defense training for DHS students as part of the school’s career tech program.

Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan said he and retired Deputy Chief Stuart Setliff teach different classes as part of the program, and sometimes they bring in other first responders with special skills to help the students learn something that may come in handy in the future.

“Part of what we do in that program, from time to time we invite officers who have special skills to instruct the kids in different aspects of our job,” Logan said. “When we go through the police academy, we get taught self-defense. Sgt. Corona was a Marine, and he has a specialty. We use him to come in and do that instruction.”

Logan said members of the Tuscumbia Fire Department come in and teach things like CPR certification, another item in the list of skills DHS students have the chance to learn.

“In this day and time, you have situations where even basic self-defense skills can mean life or death,” Logan said. “This is one of the things I enjoy about teaching in career tech. We give (students) tools that even if they don’t go into law enforcement, they will still be useful no matter what they do.”

Another lesson that typically proves popular with students is a demonstration on the dangers of impaired driving.

Setliff will make an obstacle course and have students drive a golf cart through it while wearing a pair of goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol consumption.

Logan said this lesson may be held a couple of times a year and is meant to be a deterrent for anyone thinking about driving after drinking.