Courtney Becker
(1st Dan Black Belt – 11 years old)

“I have changed a lot since I started Taekwondo. For one thing, before I was able to do my breaking techniques I was afraid of doing them. I always said “I will never be able to do that!” But then when I learned how to break boards I realized it was not that hard. My parents started calling me the breaking machine! Another thing I remember is; when I was afraid of sparring, and I never wanted to do it especially if the person I was facing was older or bigger than me. Then instructor Andrew suggested joining the sparing team, so I signed up. I learned all these tricks to sparing that helped me overcome my fear. Before I got my physical fitness tip I was watching the other belts trying so hard to get their tip. When it came time for me to get my tip it was harder than it looked. But when I finally put my mind to it I got my tip. Taekwondo has taught me to never give up and to achieve my goals. Now as I go on as a black belt I will have new goals and new changes I can make."

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Doje Beyene
(1st Degree Black Belt. Mother of three black belts)

“Wow! I am very proud of myself. I joined Taekwondo because of all my children. I never dreamed of practicing Taekwondo let alone a black belt. What a great decision I made for myself! There are times when things get crazy and difficult, school, work, social life and more. I am glad I managed all of those inconveniences and kept on practicing. I am very happy about my decision, knowing that I will be healthy and physically fit, besides working toward a black belt. For me, testing for a black belt means that everything I have worked so hard for sol long is bearing fruit and I feel G-R-E-A-T!"

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Jonathan Centeno
(2nd Dan Black Belt – 17 years old)

“I am very grateful to Taekwondo and martial arts in general because it has shaped my character and has helped me become a better person.  I enjoy Taekwondo and know that I will continue training until I physically cannot train anymore.  One of the main goals I have is to at least pay back the debt that I owe to martial arts and Taekwondo.  I am going to try and intern here when my college applications are done and I do not have to worry about college, this small step will help me teach students about martial arts and the good things it can do physically and mentally.  I am forever in debt to Taekwondo because it was the martial art that made me the person I am today.”

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Hoai Pham
(2nd Dan Black Belt – Father of 2 students (Michael and Bryan) and husband to one student (Thanh Ha) – student since 2006)

“Over the years Taekwondo has improved my physical and mental fitness.  Physically, I have increased energy and flexibility.  I notice my physical differences the most in my back – before starting Taekwondo I had chronic back pain; after practicing Taekwondo for two years, I feel approximately 80% less pain.  Mentally, Taekwondo clears my mind and improves self-confidence.  They physical and mental improvements help me lead a focused work life and provide the strength and mental balance to keep up with my family and the community.”

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Judy Pendergast
(1st Dan Black Belt)

“I don’t know how to begin to explain what earning my Black Belt in Taekwondo means to me.  I have achieved many things in my life and have been blessed with so much success.  Testing for Black Belt takes on such gravity for me because it was never something that I thought I would be able to achieve.  I have worked hard in business, in family and in education.  This test means more to me than graduating with my Masters from GW.  I have never doubted my ability in a classroom, but never perceived myself at being able to attain a physical goal such as this.  I rank this as one of the most joyful and memorable days in my life, just following my marriage and birth of my children.”

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Astrid Ligonde
(1st Dan Black Belt – 12 years old)

“In Taekwondo I have improved amazingly.  I used to not do so great in school but now that I started Taekwondo my grades have been A and B and nothing less than that.  Another more mental than physical one is that I have learned not to snap at people and tell them that it’s ok I understand your problem but just hear me out on the problem I have and lets not fight.  A physical thing is me wanting to go outside more often now, I don’t have as much fun watching TV anymore I prefer going outside even when it is cold out.  I stay and eat healthier now, and start to go places where you walk a lot like the aquarium or zoo.  I think that the Taekwondo activity helped me a lot with my life.  A both mental and physical thing is my work habits.  I would think that I should do this and I should help that person and do that.  And I would not hesitate to do that and I would usually do my best with it carrying the groceries into the house raking leaves and helping out.”

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Soriya  DeLopez
(1st Dan Black Belt – 13 years old)

“Testing for black belt means that I accomplished something great.  This means that all the years of hard work and practice definitely paid off.  Throughout all the years, becoming a black belt was always my dream and I was determined to get there.  I feel really proud of myself for achieving this goal.  Here’s a little poem I wrote:

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A Goal - by
Soriya DeLopez

A goal is never easy to reach
There is a long road you have to take
Along with hard work and practice and perseverance
An achievement is what you will make
Always try your best not matter what
Just take one step at a time
Even when things get really rough
It’s better if you try
Never give up if there’s a bump in the road
Just find another way
You will get to the top of that mountain
And the view will take your breath away