What has your training been like at the Academy?

    “At the Academy, I truly have enjoyed my six years of training. I have had the pleasure to participate in many events at the school, ranging from Doshi Kai classes to the Annual ATK Tournament in November of every year. I have learned volumes from the many people I've worked with over the years, and their influence has helped me to become a well-rounded karate student. As a result of this, I have been given many new opportunities, such as planting my roots in leadership training from a green belt and beyond, as well as discovering new things about myself that I never knew existed, or chose to accept before.”

What have you gained from being a leadership team member in the Academy?

     “I had so much fun meeting new people during the Leadership Course. The insight of others has made me aware of my strengths and weaknesses from a teacher's perspective. As a proud and dedicated Leadership Team member, I have learned how to be open to new ideas. I have gained much knowledge from my fellow Leadership Team members during the monthly meetings, and I feel these lessons learned and mental trials I've faced have helped me become a better instructor in the process.”

What was it like to test and earn your Junior Black Belt?

     “Testing for my Junior Black Belt was a life-changing experience for me. I struggled to grasp some concepts within my training last June and decided, along with advice from my instructor Renshi Goddard, to focus my attention on participating in the Excellence in Leadership Course. I used my new found confidence gained from the Leadership Course to fuel my attention back to Black Belt Testing this past January. I poured my focus into my training, coming 3-4 times a week, and felt the effects pay off. I was able to learn my material inside and out: drills, kata, and stamina exercises, enabling me to go farther than I ever imagined during the testing process. The perseverance I gained from this process helped me to believe in myself. I felt like I was standing on the highest pedestal when I finally tied that belt around my waist; as I finally came to realize I completed my goal. I am a Junior Black Belt!”

Where do you think your training will go from here?

    “I'm open to all opportunities that come my way. I plan to bring my training farther than I have in the past. I plan to obtain three more belts in the coming months: my second-degree Junior Black Belt in June, third-degree soon after, paving the way to reach my ultimate goal: my Adult Black Belt in January 2011. I have high aspirations to ramp up my physical conditioning in the coming months; finding time to do more in this area will help me to be more confident in my performance of push-ups. Walking home from school and finding time to get more exercise into my daily routine will help me to achieve my goals from a physical aspect. But I don't plan to stop there. I plan to continue working more furiously than before from a Leadership standpoint, emerging from the shadows of hesitation and becoming more confident and less evasive while I am doing leadership during all of the classes I attend. I have big plans for this next year; I will be a new face in the eyes of my friends, fellow students, and instructors. I will be unstoppable!“