by India Saxton (Intern, Student Affairs Marketing and Communications)

On February 28, Melissa Mercer, Miss UAB 2025, partnered with North Star Martial Arts to host a self-defense seminar at the UAB Recreation Center. The event provided students with hands-on training in a fun and supportive environment while emphasizing the importance of personal safety.

Over two hours, participants learned the importance of self-defense and basic martial arts maneuvers. Master Misty Vick, a seventh-degree black belt martial artist, led the seminar by demonstrating self-defense attacks like elbow hits, and palm pushes and demonstrated common assaults that attackers use. Participants also learned key areas to target potential attackers, including the eyes, mouth, and spleen, and how to best break free.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to bring this self-defense seminar to campus and provide students with a space to learn, grow, and empower themselves,” Mercer said. She encourages students interested in future sessions to reach out, as she is already planning additional seminars for the Birmingham community.

“I’m always looking for more opportunities to share these important skills,” Mercer added.