Lower Schoolers Earn Taekwondo Yellow Belts
On Wednesday, November 18th, sixteen Lower Schoolers were awarded their yellow belts in Taekwondo. The students completed the course of study with Master Joe Kim through Lake Ridge Academy’s Center for Creative Thinkers afterschool program.
As the students readied themselves for their yellow belt tests, Master Kim asked, “How many of you are nervous?” After every hand raised, he reassured the students, commenting that “it’s normal to be nervous. It’s normal to make mistakes. You just need to focus and do your personal best.”
The Taekwondo students then performed their blocks, kicks and punches for Master Kim. They counted in Korean and answered questions about the meanings of the terms and reasons for the rules learned in Taekwondo. The test ended with each student breaking a wood block by kicking it.
The following students received their yellow belts:
Austin Bramhall
Warren Coleman
Victoria Fisher
Audrey Higgins
Kayleen Kaatz
Bryce LeRoy
Benjy Norton
Katie Norton
Kevin Ostrica
Samuel Parker
Jennie Parrish
Nicholas Schulz
Emma Stafford
Sara Straub
Cambelle Uveges
Chris Vargas
Isaac Malinowski, who was ill on Wednesday, will receive his yellow belt at another time. Master Kim was assisted throughout the class by first grader Neev Lamba and third graders Grace Adams and Marta Roshkowski.
Kim’s Martial Arts School in Avon
has taught over 50,000 students, producing over 5,000 black belts. Kim’s
Martial Arts is considered one of the most successful Taekwondo schools in the
country, producing Intrnational and National Champions, a U.S. National
Taekwondo Team member and several distinguished members of the community. Master Joe Kim, after returning from the US
Olympic Training Center in 1992, has run the corporation since. Kim’s Martial Arts continues to grow with
strong, disciplined students seeking to improve their lives through mental and
physical training in the martial arts.
Taekwondo students begin their warm up for their yellow belt exams.
Master Joseph Kim gives final instructions to Bryce LeRoy, Audrey Higgins, and Warren Coleman before their yellow belt exam.
Third grader Sam Parker breaks the board with his foot.
The Taekwondo class demonstrates their kicks for the crowd.
The first grade yellow belt students, Cambelle Uveges, Callan Stafford, Audrey Higgins, Nicholas Schulz and Kevin Ostrica pose with their broken boards and their proud teacher, Katherine Schulz.
