McNeil High School Gains New Student Self-Defense Club
A junior student launched the program to provide essential safety skills for peers preparing for the transition to college.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Teens
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Is it a priority that high schoolers receive formal self-defense training before leaving for college?
McNeil High School junior Nikita Devasthale has earned a Girl Scout Gold Award after launching a student self-defense club. The program provides essential safety training for local teens preparing to transition to college.
Why it matters
Empowering teens with physical safety skills helps students navigate the increased independence they face before and during their transition to college. This initiative brings practical, peer-led safety education directly onto the local campus.
The club regularly hosts 15-20 students for 30-to-40-minute sessions at the school. Participant survey data shows an 88% approval rate for the program.
The players
Nikita Devasthale
A junior at McNeil High School and second-degree black belt who earned the highest Girl Scout achievement for her community service project.
McNeil High School
An Austin-area high school that serves as the host site for the student-led self-defense initiative.
The details
As a second-degree black belt who trains at Golden Hands Martial Arts, Devasthale developed the club to bridge a gap in safety preparedness. The sessions focus on practical skills designed to help students feel more secure in their day-to-day lives as they prepare for the transition to higher education.
Timeline
2025: The self-defense club launched at McNeil High School.
October 2026: Nikita Devasthale officially earned the Girl Scout Gold Award.
The Home Front
The Girl Scout Gold Award is a long-standing national achievement program that requires scouts to identify and address a specific community need. This project follows that mandate by targeting high school safety as the core focus for the award's service requirement.
Parents of high school students can encourage their teens to explore extracurricular activities that build both confidence and personal safety awareness. Checking school-based club bulletins is an easy way to find similar opportunities for students to build skills before heading off to college.
The takeaway
Student-led initiatives can provide valuable life skills that prepare teens for their future independence. Families interested in similar programs should keep an eye on school activities calendars and community centers for defensive training workshops.
Further reading
Find more resources for local families in our Teens section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
Live Poll
Is it a priority that high schoolers receive formal self-defense training before leaving for college?
