The Road to a Black Belt: Student Profiles

Ian Smith

According to dictionary.com, martial arts is any of the traditional forms of self-defense or combat that uses a person’s skill and coordination without the use of weapons. Examples are Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Aikido, Judo or Kung Fu, which are often practiced as sport. 

To junior Ian Smith, though, martial arts is much more than that.

Smith started training at a young age, but since then he has progressed throughout his martial arts career.

“I started taking martial arts when I was five years old,” said Smith. “I am now a second degree black belt [and I’m] testing for my third degree [on March 2].” He passed and now sucessfully has earned the rank of 3r

Smith attends the Black Belt Martial Arts Center in Kensington. He started training there because his friend who was training there gave him a free month of classes. Since then, he has loved training at the center and believes the community at the school is fantastic.

“We think of our community as a team and a family,” said Smith. “Everyone is friendly.”

The belt order progresses from white belt to black belt (though the order in between them may differ), and then there are multiple degrees of black belt. No other belts have degrees. The order of belts at his school is white, orange, gold, green, purple, blue, red, advanced red, brown, advanced brown, provisional black, and then first, second, third degree black, and so on.  Most schools have nine or ten degrees of black belt.

Although some people start their training at a white belt and only continue training until their first black belt, Smith does not plan to quit. Instead, he dreams of becoming a fourth degree black belt and maybe a master.

“I am continuing to train so I may reach my Masters Degree,” said Smith. “I work at my school [as well] so I [can] help teach the younger students.”

Smith tries to teach his students life lessons that they can use later, outside of just doing martial arts.

 “My goal is to teach life long skills into my students so they may grow up to be disciplined individuals,” said Smith.

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Tenni Idler

Sophomore Tenni Idler, a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, also trains at the Black Belt Martial Arts Center.

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art that involves the way of the hand and the foot.  Popular activities include kicking, punching, breaking boards or  any offensive or defensive movements using the hands and feet.

Idler states that this martial art form is quite difficult and many aren’t as focused to be a dedicated martial artist.

“I am the only girl left in my class who is testing for their third degree [black belt].”

But in order to get there, Idler says that motivation will be key in achieving this goal. One cannot fully pursue this type of feat unless they are 100% committed and have people are willing to support them.

“[Friends and family] can help you get back on track,” said Idler.

Training and practicing martial arts has helped Idler form strong relationships with friends, mentors and advisors. In her case, Idler has grown close to her personal mentor, R.J. Lee, as well as her entire group.

“We’re all like one big family,” she said.

Training in martial arts is hard work but, for Idler, being a female has its benefits.

“There aren’t many girls to compete against, so if I [were supposed to] compete against a guy, I would win automatically,” she said.

This is because, in martial arts, each gender must compete against their own, so women have an advantage.

However, Tae Kwon Do is also a large time commitment. Practice, Idler said, can interfere with school and homework and there is hardly any time to participate in anything else, but being involved with an activity in the long term can be beneficial.

“Tae Kwon Do could help with college applications in the future and can make you well-rounded,” she said.

Idler also says martial arts helped her handle and take care of children because, with her experience, she has to teach several of the younger children’s classes.

Idler tested and passed her third-degree black belt test on March 2, 2012. She is currently awaiting her belt.

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