Founder of T.A.K.E. foundation Roger Kemp and 12 others received the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal on Saturday, Oct. 15. The award is given to citizens who perform selfless deeds for their country,

T.A.K.E. foundation helps women and girls learn self-defense and offers classes teaching safety awareness and hands-on techniques that anyone can do to protect themselves.

T.A.K.E. executive director Jill Leiker thinks that girls should know self-defense because it is a useful skill.

“The world is not nice,” Leiker said. Girls should be prepared for anything that may happen to them.”

NHS club sponsor Kristen Chavez, who has participated in Kemp’s program in the past with NHS members, thinks that girls need to understand the importance of self-defense.

“If they are attacked, they would need some knowledge of self-defense,” Chavez said. “It is better to be prepared.”

For more information on the T.A.K.E. foundation, go to www.takedefense.org.