f f o k c i k n g i a p cam
SURVEY SAYS
During the Montana Prevention Needs Assessment administered to a random population of 8th, 10th and 12th graders in the Helena School District, students were asked:
Do you think it’s ok to try out fighting moves (e.g., those seen on Ultimate Fighting or WWF) with other kids?
32.0% said “it’s never ok” 31.0% said “it’s usually not ok” 26.8% said “it’s sometimes ok” 10.2% said “it’s always ok” 6
DECEMBER 2010
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YC MAGAZINE
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youthconnectionscoalition.org
outh Connections, in collaboration with the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative, have partnered with Bret Hamlin, a mixed martial arts (MMA) instructor, to send a message of discipline, honor and respect to keep teen violence off the streets with their Keep It in the Ring campaign. This sixmonth campaign kicked off on October 30. Hamlin explains, “I am fully invested in seeing teen violence in our community decrease. It’s important for parents to be talking to their kids about the difference between the structure and safety of MMA and creating their own violent fights on the street.” Hamlin is known in the Helena community for being a person who embodies his message of discipline, honor and respect. He demands these same characteristics in his fighters as well. The Keep it in the Ring campaign will be present at The Quarry Bar and Grill. Tracy Moseman of Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative is excited: “We appreciate The Quarry’s full support to encourage parents and young people to talk about the differences between street fighting and what professional MMA fighters are doing in the ring.” ■