Los Ba&#241;os Soroptimist International held its first annual Rock Whatcha Got event for girls in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades.</p><p>After rescheduling the event during the summer months of this year, club members were excited to have introduced almost 20 young girls to the program they plan to hold at least once a year.</p><p>Co-coordinator Sandy Lemas said the event's itinerary didn't face too many changes since the last time the event was set to run.</p><p>Lemas said the main reason the club has insisted on the event's debut was because of the lack of proactive groups available for young girls.</p><p>"We're exposing the girls to being able to live their dreams and discover their potential," Lemas said.</p><p>Pauline Scoles, another co-coordinator of the event, said despite the club's challenges of informing students of the event, she was happy with the turnout.</p><p>"It's a privilege to be able to talk to them," Scoles said.</p><p>After introductions from Soroptimist members, the students were given brief insight into self-defense and its relationship to self-esteem.</p><p>The self-defense demonstration by Jenny Williams and her son Morgan of the of the Central Valley Karate Institute was in place of a yoga demonstration.</p><p>"I think it was a good idea to bring them in," Lemas said of the karate pair. "It's few and far between that girls need to know self-defense, but it does happen and we want them to be aware."</p><p>Jenny Williams said she thought the event available to girls at this age is a great opportunity.</p><p>"They feel so empowered and realize how special they are," she said. "Peer pressure can affect that at this age."</p><p>As far as teaching them helpful techniques in self-defense, Williams said the girls' ages is a great time to learn.</p><p>"Now they have a chance in protecting themselves," she said. "It's hard to just jump into something like that. I think they did a great job."</p><p>And self-confidence is a bonus Williams thinks the girls will take with them.</p><p>Soroptimist Anna Brooks shared some of her experiences with the girls during the event to help show them setting goals, aiming for your dreams and living out the life they plan for is possible.</p><p>Brooks also helped facilitate the Dove campaign for real beauty program, promoting self-esteem and inspiring dream planning and setting short and long term goals.</p><p>"The Dove curriculum was a dream come true," Brooks said. "It would have been very difficult for us to generate the curriculum on our own. And it is very age apprpriate for the junior high girls."</p><p>Brooks said overall she was impressed with the outcome of the event.</p><p>"We really weren't sure what to expect being that this was our first event, but every girl that came said that they would come again to similar events in the future," she said. "The group was a great size for our first time, but we hope to have double the number of girls next year." </p><p>A lunch of healthy, fresh food was served half way through the day-event to help the girls learn about making the right choices nutritionally. A fashion show later closed the event featuring S-Club members.</p><p>Brenda Carrillo, a seventh grader at Los Ba&#241;os Junior High School, said she heard about the event at the school and is grateful she had the opportunity to attend.</p><p>"I think it's a good idea to have this," Carrillo said. "I really liked it. I've learned a lot."</p><p>Bianca Gallegos, also a seventh grader, said the self-defense program was her favorite part of the event.</p><p>"I think they should keep having it," Gallegos said. "I'd keep coming. It'll help me in my future."</p><p>Enterprise reporter Samantha Salas can be reached by phone at (209)388-6562 or by e-mail at ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com