Yong In TAIGON Taekwondo, LAKE STEVENS, Washington

What Black Belt Means To Me

By Travis Noble-Caryl

Before I started Tae Kwon Do, at Yong In Taigon Taekwondo, I went to a daycare called Kids N Us. I wanted to join Tae Kwon Do because some of my friends from daycare were going, but my mom  said ”no” because she thought that I was to young. I was only 5, but I bugged her and bugged her and finally my mom talked to the masters and agreed to let me have two private lessons. It was so much fun, I loved it! Master Kim was a good teacher and I got to wear my first uniform, I even got a white belt. It was cool, but I wanted a black belt! My mom and dad said that I would have to work hard to get a black belt.

I worked hard through all of my tiny taigon belts and made some great new friends at Tae Kwon Do. All of the other kids there were so nice, and so are the masters. Then I got to my first full colored belt test. It was for yellow belt, and it didn’t take too long. I got a higher rank, but then I was in a more advanced class. It was fun,but it was hard, harder than my other classes were. My classes taught me discipline, and

gave me an indomitable spirit. It also taught me respect for others. I learned to be a better friend to others and how to get along with everyone by being respectfull. Tae kwon do taught me to only use my skills in self defense, and not just go after people when they make me mad.

My dad and I were excited for me to be in the advanced classes, so I worked really really hard and finally I got to my purple belt! I had gone from form to form, self defense to self defense, and finally I was at purple belt! That is when I really started my goal of getting to black belt. I was in the black belt club and working on full split club. It took a lot of practice and determination to get to full splits, but Tae Kwon Do taught me to

keep trying until I succeed. I was so proud to get my picture on the wall with the other full split club kids!

My very first sleep over was at Tae Kwon Do. My mom and dad were nervous that I would be scared and want to come home, but I stayed all night and had so much fun!! We watched movies, ate pizza, and played games. I was making some great friends at Tae kwon Do. And in the morning I woke up when someone was drawing on my face! I had a big black mustache and I didn’t even know it until my mom and dad started to laugh at me! I had self confidence and I wasn’t afraid to sleep in a different place. I was preparing for Black belt!

The first time that I did sparring I liked it, but I was a little scared. Every time I had a new partner I was scared, but then it was not so bad. I could figure out what the other person was going to do. And I figured out that it doesn’t really hurt when you have  pads on! I was learning self defense and how to compete for a competition. My mom didn’t think that I was ready for competition yet, but she said I was getting close.

The first time that I did board breaking I was surprised that I could do it! Master Kim told me that I could, but I wasn’t sure. The first time that I heard the snap of the board I was so excited! I could break wood with my foot or with my hand! It made me Have so much confidence and when I told my friends and family that I did it they were amazed! They couldn’t believe how good I was! I have been collecting my broken boards

ever since.

I have been in the Aqua Fest parade 3 times since I joined tae Kwon Do! We have  won trophies every time because we are the best! When we walk in the parade we are proud of our school and everyone claps and cheers for us! They all know that we are the best school in Lake Stevens! I even had my picture on the webpage! It is always really hot during the parade, because it is in July. But we always keep going, because that is what perseverance means, never give up!

Then I got picked to be on the junior demo team! We would go and do demos at different places, and we did gymnastics too. I learned more discipline because I had to get up early every Saturday morning in the freezing cold to go to gymnastics. I was scared at

first because we had to do lots of things that I had never done before, but my self confidence helped me to do what I was scared to do. Everyone on the demo team was learning new stuff, and it was really cool! Tae Kwon Do was helping me in lots of ways!

Finally my mom and dad decided that I was ready for my first competition. I was so excited, I had seen the trophies and metals that other kids had won at competitions and I wanted some too! I was nervous when we got there, I didn’t know what was going to happen since it was my first time. I did my form, and Master Kim was there watching me The whole time. I got a bronze metal! Then I had to spar, and I was nervous! I didn’t

know the boy that I was sparring against and I didn’t know his style. But Master Kim was there to coach me, and I won! But it wasn’t over yet, I had to go again! This time it was against someone from my school, one of my friends. But I had Master Lee coaching me

and telling me that I could do it! I was really tired but you can never give up in Tae Kwon Do so I kept going. I got silver metal for sparring, but I promised myself that I would get a gold metal someday. My Masters were there for me and I knew that I couldhave confidence in them.

Tae Kwon Do has helped me at school. It has helped me to make friends that are like me, friendly and not trouble makers. When someone is picking on one of my friends I always stick up for them, I don’t let myself or my friends be bullied. I don’t ever start a fight, but if someone tried to fight with me or my friends I would defend myself or my friend.

It also has helped me in class. I am more focused then some of my friends. I still like to have fun, but I am learning to control my desire to goof around. Self control isn’t  always easy for me at school, but I am trying hard to do better. I know that if I am going to become a Black belt then I have to have self control and discipline. If I were not in Tae Kwon Do, it would probably be a lot harder for me to do.

I had my second competition in October. This time I was getting ready for my Black Belt test and a competition at the same time. It was hard but I really wanted to try for that gold metal! I did my form first and I thought that I did really good, but I didn’t  get the gold. I still had sparring though, so I couldn’t give up! I still wanted that gold! When it was my turn to spar I was really nervous just like last time because I didn’t know

the kid that I had to spar. Master Lee told me to go for it, don’t give up, and that I could do it!I tried my hardest, but he beat me. I was really sad that I didn’t get the gold metal, but I am going to keep trying. I am going to go to the next competition and try again. I  know that I can do it, because Tae kwon Do taught me to never give up and to have  confidence in myself.

Since I have been in Tae kwon Do I have learned a lot of great things. I have learned self control, respect for myself and others, how to have an indomitable spirit, self confidence, honor, and how to have a positive attitude.

To me, Black Belt means being able to do my self defense better and to not be pushed around. To have very good discipline and to have respect for others. It means to never give up and to never run away from a battle. I will have pride in wearing my belt, and I will dedicate myself to it. I will promise myself to not give up until I am a fourth degree Black Belt.

When you are a fourth degree Black Belt you can be a Master Instructor. When I am a Master instructor I will be an expert at self defense! I will be

able to break through bricks and extra large boards with ease. I will be able to teach other people how to do Tae Kwon Do too. That is what Black Belt means to me.

TRAVIS NOBLE-Caryl  Black Belt Essay 2008