Students Set Goals for Their Next Black Belt Test

As a student and teacher of various martial art styles, I have found over the years that training and partaking in this is much more than a hobby and sport. It is a way of life, in one way or another, that helps the individual seek and find growth within themselves. It also should, in my opinion, give the student the strength of mind and soul to encourage others within their families and communities to make a difference. This is especially true when the student reaches a higher level of skill in whatever martial art that they partake in, specifically around the time when they attain the rank of black belt or greater.

In teaching my own students, I strive to educate them on how to behave in class, at school, and around their families. I also hope that, within their training, they will grow in humility in their dealings with all others around themselves. I teach that martial artists are strong in spirit as well as body, overcoming obstacles and also giving strength to those in need. Over the past few months, I have taken more strides in this approach, more than just educating them on the fundamentals of kicking, punching, throwing, etc. I am proud to say that a good majority of my youth (and also adult,) higher ranking students have stepped up to voluntarily assist with the younger classes offered at New Edge Martial Arts. Not only has it helped the youngest of students with their techniques, but it has also aided in generating more patience, understanding, cooperation, and leadership in my assistants.

After witnessing the growth in my school's younger classes due to the voluntary efforts of my advanced students, I decided to implement a new task for my students testing at the black belt level. Well, two tasks, to be more precise. The first is a personal physical fitness goal. The second is a community service goal, in which they must volunteer time for a cause of their choosing. Not only will this help their community, but it will also strengthen their sense of leadership and also generate more interest in New Edge Martial Arts and training as a whole.

I am proud to share the following students, as well as their goals they have set for their upcoming belt tests.

• Erynn Long, age 12, will be tutoring elementary school children in their classes. For her physical fitness goal, she has set for herself the task of being able to do five consecutive pull-ups come test time. She started at not being able to do any, and last time I checked, she was up to three. She has very solid technique all-around, and enjoys helping out with the younger classes.

• Kate Alltop, age 11, will be helping her teacher with various tasks after school up until her test time. She also has set the goal of running one and a half miles everyday prior to her next belt test. Two very big goals for someone her age. I know I personally would not have been as motivated at age eleven. Kate also assists with the youth classes at the school.

 

• Jose Villegas, age 9, pledges to shovel snow and rake the leaves for his family as well as neighbors. He has also set a pretty solid goal of being able to do 800 pushups in a week from now until test time. Even though he is the youngest tester in the group, his dedication and desire to train his hardest makes him just as strong as the other students in this promotion.

• Javier Villegas, age 11, will be walking his neighbor's dogs from now until test time. Like his brother, he has also set the goal of being able to do 800 pushups in a week from now until his next test. Both Villegas brothers, as well as the other students listed, are dedicated to attending classes several times per week. The brothers specifically have had countless sessions in private lessons at the school.

• Govind Suresh, age 12, pledged to volunteer at SOC, Services for Older Citizens.
  He has also taken up the task of running around 1.7 miles a day. One of my longest remaining students, I have been honored to know this patient, kind, and talented young man for almost nine years. He never hesitates to help out in whatever capacity is needed of him.
  

• Drew Brown, age 13, returned to training several months ago from a two year hiatus. It is great to see him, as well as his older sister, back in class. Drew pledges to help his neighbor with the trash as well as other yard maintenance duties. He has also made a goal of practicing all of his patterns each day, and doing a series of core strengthening and speed exercises each day to strengthen his physical technique.

• Max Driscoll, age 13, is also one of my longest remaining students. Like some of his peers, he has begun to participate in the adult classes at New Edge Martial Arts. Max volunteered at Cops for Kids, in which he packaged, labeled, and sorted toys for kids. He also regularly volunteers at Lou's Pet Shop. Other than his regular visits to class as well as the gym, Max has set an additional half an hour each day for further physical exercise to better prepare himself for his next test.