Salf-defense class for teen girls in Youngstown aims to strengthen self-confidence

By Katie Seminara

YOUNGSTOWN — Self-defense isn’t just about fighting back.

It’s about evaluating situations and being aware of surroundings, said Larry Trombitas, self-defense instructor at the Jewish Community Center on Gypsy Lane.

“We don’t want to fight, we don’t want confrontation,” Trombitas said to a group of about 15 girls ages 16 to 18 during a teen self-defense class Tuesday.

“If we can avoid confrontation, that’s what we’d like to do,” he said.

The class is an introduction to self-defense and is meant to prepare girls for an independent life, while helping them gain more self-confidence.

“The class is geared toward girls who are going to college,” said Melanie Yesovich, the JCC’s health and wellness coordinator.

Sexual predators and other attackers show up on college campuses, as well as places like mall parking lots, and the center encourages girls to handle threatening situations the right way, she said.

“Most of the girls are sent by their parents because they are going away for school and this class helps build confidence,” Trombitas said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.