May 2015 Tiger Tracks

Being a Black Belt-Written by. Noah Wille

 Being a Black Belt

Written by. Noah Wille

I want to be a black belt for many reasons. Like how I can be able to listen well and obey my instructor, and how I could be a great instructor myself. I know you are probably saying, being a black belt is a big responsibility and you can't just fool around with it. Well I am one of those people who won't. I will be a respectful student and follow the rules the first time they are given.

Being a black is kind of like a part time job. And I will treat it like a job. The discipline and self-confidence you have to have to become a black belt is very high and I will carry it out as much as you want me to. Also, being a black belt requires a lot of focus and concentration. I can focus and concentrate very well and focus enough to break a board. Being a black belt gives me a chance to break wood and when I am able to break wood easily, I can become confident in so many other things. Some things like self-defense or breaking even tougher wood! The possibilities are endless! So are you convinced? If the answer is no, then let me tell you more.

            When it comes to being a black belt, a lot of the difficulty rises and a lot of self-confidence comes into place. I mean, who wants to doubt breaking their boards and actually not break them? No one right? I mean there is a lot that will fall into place when I get a black belt, and I will take full charge and have confidence in what ever I do. While I do this, I will gain confidence in myself and can achieve a lot higher goals and when I do this, I could do great things.

            The final part of being a black belt I want to talk about is the integrity part. As you know, integrity means respect and that word has Noah Wille written all over it. I mean if you talked to my teachers, they would say the same thing. Like I am helpful I pay attention to directions the first time and normally get it right the first time. This falls under being a black belt because when you are a black belt, you have to obey your instructors to know what to do and master it in a short amount of time while perfecting it at the same time. I would be great at this and being a black belt opens up even more to me.

            As my time to talk to you has ended, I would like to say thank you to the instructors on getting me this far and help me accomplish one of my many goals. It would be an honor to be a black belt at Strickland’s Taekwondo and reach for the stars as I run up on stage to grab hold of it and call myself a black belt. 

Why I Want To Become A Black Belt by Corey Stoltz

Why I Want To Become A Black Belt

April 18, 2015

By: Corey Stoltz

​            I have a lot of reasons, big and small, for wanting to become a Black Belt. My reasons have even evolved during my journey taking Taekwondo. I knew that I wanted to do something that would stick with me. It all began two years ago when my parents sat down with me and talked about options. Those options were becoming an Eagle Scout, playing basketball, or taking Taekwondo. I thought for a moment, “What should I pick?” I weighed my options and thought that Taekwondo was the best choice for me. I knew that it might be tough, but I wanted to do it even more to prove that I was up for the challenge. When I took my first Taekwondo class, I knew I was on my way. I remember thinking it would be awesome. Boy, it wasn't awesome; it was ​better​ than awesome!

After my first class, I knew I wanted to come back. I loved every second of the class. After I got my Yellow Belt, I realized I wanted that Black Belt. No matter what, I promised my parents and myself that I was going to get that Black Belt. Once I had made it to the Orange Belt, I started feeling as if I got the hang of things. Then I started sparring. This was a game changer for sure. Now I had to prepare to spar and fight my classmates in basically a friendly duel. At first sparring was the worst! Then later, by the time I became a Blue Belt, I had gotten the hang of it. Shortly after that, I moved into the adult classes. That was terrible at first. I was really scared, and I was definitely not doing as good. But that class changed me. It made me feel better because I knew I had overcome a challenge, and now I am in the best set of classes. I felt my desire continuing to grow for that Black Belt.

Once I was at the Brown Belt rank I began to break plastic boards. Once I started breaking my boards, I found it to be a little difficult at first. Thankfully, I finally got the hang of it. At Brown Belt I thought on what I had done. I have spent 2 years here , and I am almost there. It made me feel so good. As I approached the Red Belt ranking, I was filled with excitement. I knew I was getting closer. Now here I am, a Red Belt Senior, and only 1 final step away. All of this work is another reason why I want a Black Belt.

I started out only wanting a Black Belt to prove that I had the confidence and skill to be able to defend myself, but more importantly, to show that I could actually achieve this goal. Now my reasons are also tied to my future plans and goals. I am seriously considering joining the Military and becoming a Naval Officer one day. I know that this achievement would be an asset and look good on my resume. It would show that I stayed the course and didn’t quit. I think it would be awesome to tell a recruiter that I have a Black Belt in Taekwondo.

Thank you for reading this. I am very thankful for your studio, and especially for having the opportunity to be a part of something where I know people care about me and want me to succeed. While I realize it has been a long journey up to this point, I know it will be worth it in the end.

Caleb Capek's trip to Mr. Miller's TKD

Assisting with Testing at Mr. Miller’s TKD

By Caleb Capek  4/2/15

I’ve been an instructor at Strickland’s TKD for two years now, and really do enjoy helping in class and teaching others.  Being an instructor has given me an additional perspective on how to improve my own taekwondo skills as well.  Additionally, it assists me with how to help others even outside of taekwondo.

When Mr. Miller asked Mr. Strickland for instructors to assist him at his school with testing, Mr. Strickland told me he thought I was ready and would do great.  I was nervous because I’ve never gone to another school to help before, and learned that I had to perform a form and breaking demonstration.  I didn’t want to disappoint anyone by not performing my best.  After conversations with my mom and Mr. Strickland I realized that just doing my best was enough. 

We arrived at the school on March 17^th and I noticed that I was the highest ranking belt there, next to Mr. Miller.  That made me feel better!  I immediately began helping the students practicing their forms so they could be ready to test.  After I helped them I started warming up myself.  Mr. Miller helped me on a couple parts of my own form because I was nervous.  Once testing began I started to really enjoy myself.  I loved scoring because I think that’ fun!  It was interesting to see how another school’s students performed at testing. 

Mr. Miller had me assist with sparring.  I was surprised to see that even white belts had gear and sparred at his school.  I am used to helping others with sparring and really enjoy it, but was in a situation where I had to remain in control when a white belt that I was sparring with was not.  It was a good lesson learned on how staying in control is necessary to protect yourself, your opponent, and the spectators.

Then it was my turn to perform my form and breaks.  Everybody thought my form was really good.  Even Mr. Miller was impressed.  Next I broke two boards.  I broke on my first try using an elbow strike and on my second try using a jump side kick. 

I’m very happy that I got the chance to go to another school and help out. It was a good experience helping others and learning to overcome my nerves.