Eden Prairie student empowers girls through Project Glimmer

As Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) senior Celia Skubic thought about moving away from home for college and a job, she realized that, like many girls, she lacked confidence in her ability to defend herself in case of a physical attack.

After talking with friends, it became clear that many of them were also unprepared and unaware of any special techniques or methods for protecting themselves. Skubic decided to change this through her leadership in Project Glimmer.

Project Glimmer is a national nonprofit organization that serves girls and women through its empowerment programs. As a student ambassador since 2022, Skubic continuously looks for ways to support its mission to “give young women nationwide the gift of confidence, mentorship, financial literacy, and career pathways.”

So far, the organization has served more than 1 million girls across all 50 states and partnered with more than 2,000 nonprofits. Its programs – such as Gifts + Goods, Empower Events, 1:1 Coaching, and Empowerment Academy – aim to break the cycle of poverty and help end gender and racial inequality.

When she learned about Project Glimmer a couple of years ago, Skubic realized that the Eden Prairie community lacked a resource like it. “I knew I had the right passion and dedication, so I took the initiative to create the first Minnesota Project Glimmer branch,” she said.

With her good friend and fellow Eden Prairie High School senior Gabby Edwards, Skubic created a club that grew from 10 members to more than 235 in less than a year. “Gabby helped me really get the club in motion due to her similar passions,” said Skubic, who serves as president while Edwards is vice president.

Gaining valuable skills, confidence through self-defense training

The EPHS Project Glimmer club’s activities have included making autumn decorations to brighten a local safe house, wrapping gifts at Sharing and Caring Hands for the holidays, and, most recently, organizing a self-defense training event at the high school.

Skubic invited David Crosby, a security guard and gymnastics coach at EPHS who is also a boxer, to lead the event. “I think self-defense is such an undervalued skill, especially as a lot of us are seniors going out to college,” she said. “I also thought this class would be a fun bonding experience.”

On Jan. 30, several students gathered in the high school’s small gym to learn basic self-defense. Crosby demonstrated moves, then had students practice them. Amid laughter, the girls learned how to break free from an arm or neck hold and other techniques to escape an attacker.

Following the event, Skubic credited Crosby for supporting Project Glimmer’s mission to inspire girls, noting that he made attendees feel both comfortable and challenged. “Mr. Crosby gave us such good advice, and I truly felt so empowered at the event surrounded by a bunch of girls willing to learn an important skill just like I was,” she said.

“I had no expectations for the class and was pleasantly surprised at how applicable his lessons were,” she added. “I had fun but now know how to defend myself in unfortunate yet realistic scenarios.”

Skubic said many attendees echoed this sentiment and have requested a second, advanced class.

She plans to continue practicing her self-defense skills, which have given her newfound confidence in her ability to protect herself. “I actually came home and forced my dad to let me show him my new moves,” she said. “I don’t think he had high expectations but was shocked after I reenacted Mr. Crosby’s movements.”

‘I’m aiming to affect my community for the better’

Skubic is planning additional projects this spring to amplify Project Glimmer’s mission and raise awareness of the nonprofit. To this end, the club hopes to partner with local organizations, especially brands that resonate with its members. “If there’s anybody in the community who would like to get involved, we would welcome them with open arms,” she said.

An upcoming event will be a career-prep meeting in March, advancing Project Glimmer’s emphasis on financial literacy and professionalism while incorporating Skubic’s interest in business. Skubic is also the president of the EPHS chapter of DECA, through which she has won multiple awards in business competitions. She also helps organize fundraisers, spearheading last fall’s DECA-sponsored Powderpuff game, which raised funds for College Possible Minnesota.

Danielle Martinez, Project Glimmer’s senior program manager for the national organization, praised Skubic’s creativity, leadership, and initiative. “Celia has really taken the lead as an ambassador,” Martinez said. “She has created a Project Glimmer club that not only spreads awareness about our organization, but also works in alignment to join in on our Empowerment Programs.”

Of her advocacy work, Skubic said, “I hope to instill the same initiative in other students at my school, and I’m aiming to affect my community for the better.”

Through Project Glimmer, she said, “The little moments we as members share through the club, like the self-defense class, completely make all of the hard work worthwhile. We’ve learned a lot about resources for women in the Twin Cities, and I like to think we have inspired plenty along the way.”