Nicklaus' Martial Arts America

Since I started martial arts three years ago, there was a goal that I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to work hard to achieve one of the highest honors in the sport; a BLACK BELT. There are many reasons why I wanted to achieve this–honor; not giving up, make my family and instructors proud, and to make myself happy.

Being a Black Belt signifies NOT GIVING UP. In the student creed, it states “I will do things to make my mind and body strong.” This hasn’t been easy and has required a lot of hard work and DISCIPLINE. There were many times when I didn’t want to go to class or I didn’t want to practice. There were even a few times when I wanted to quit. The last time I wanted to quit was just six months ago. With some encouragement, I decided that I would keep going. I had worked so hard for the last two years and it would be stupid to quit so close to my goal.

The second reason I want to be a BLACK BELT is to make my family and my instructors proud. These people have supported me physically, emotionally and financially. They have invested in me greatly and it is important to me to show them that I am worth their investment; it’s paying off.

Finally, earning my BLACK BELT will make me happy. Three years ago, I set a goal for myself. I am very proud of myself for achieving that goal. It’s a great honor to be a BLACK BELT; and honor I hope I’m worthy of.

Who I Want To Thank

There are several people who, without their help, I wouldn’t be here today. There is my mom and dad, my sister, my instructors, Mr. Nick, my classmates, and my extended family.

First of all, I want to thank my parents. From the minute I wanted to start in karate, they were behind me. They have invested a lot of money and time for me to have this opportunity.

I also want to thank my sister. I know my commitment to karate has made her make some sacrifices and I want her to know that I am grateful and I love her.

To my instructors, Mr. Cornell, Mr. “Y” and Ms. Dawson. Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best. Each of you has helped me be a better athlete but more importantly, become a better person. Because of you, I am more confident, I am more comfortable around other people and I have learned a lot about respect. Respect for myself and for others.

To Mr. Nick, I want to thank you for all you have done to make this opportunity possible. If you hadn’t believed in Mr. Cornell years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. I also want to thank you for making sure we always have a great place to train.

I also want to thank all of my classmates for your friendship, making classes fun but also for pushing me to work hard and to be my best.

To my family, my grandparents from Indiana and my aunt and uncle from Alaska, thank you for being here for me. Along with many other members of my family, you have always stood by me and showed an interest in my karate as well as other things that are important to me.

When I started karate in the first grade, Black Belt was something that would be talked about in karate class as something that we all wanted to be. “Be a Black Belt like Mr. Cornell” or “Mr. Y” but I don’t think I really understood what it meant. For the last year becoming a Black Belt has been something more than my mom or karate teachers telling me I was working to be. This last year I have wanted my Black Belt for me because I have worked hard for it. I have also learned what perseverance and confidence really mean, and I realize that karate has taught me both.

Perseverance has helped in both school and karate. In school I have had to work very hard to do well. Reading has been something I have struggled with since kindergarten. I have worked very hard and put in lots of time at home and with my tutor, but I have been able to stay at grade level in math and reading because I have had to work so hard. I also have had to work very hard in karate. When I started karate, it was not very easy for me. I had a hard time knowing my right from my left much less put together a combination. My first forms class was very hard, and I remember during my testing as a purple belt having to do my form 3 times before I got it right. It was when I was a brown belt that I started to feel I like I wanted to quit because it was so hard. I dint’ think I would be able to learn everything and remember it. I talked to my mom about taking a break and she agreed to give me the summer off. When the summer was over though I didn’t want to go back to karate, but my mom made me anyway.

When I came back and met with Mr. Cornell I did feel a little better. He showed me that I was able to do this. I had days when I would rather not go to karate but I have gone anyway because I knew I needed to practice and work hard to earn my Black Belt. I have less of those days now and my perseverance in karate is paying off.

I have learned that if I persevere, I can do anything I put my mind to, and if I put in the hard work, I will be successful. Learning this has given me confidence. Confidence has allowed me to trust myself to do things like talking in front of big groups, going to tournaments, and meeting new people. I started doing tournaments for karate in March of 2012, and I was surprised to find that I like them. I get really nervous, and I have made mistakes in competition, but I do my best each time, and I am proud of myself each time. I am looking forward to learning a new form ad continuing to compete after I get my Black Belt. Doing tournaments has helped me feel more confident performing in front of people. I am also not as afraid to talk in class at school or meet new friends. I just feel better about being me and want my friends to feel the same way.

My Black Belt is something I have work for since I was a white belt, even when it was just a belt. Now I want that Black Belt even more, but it is hard to punt in words what it means to me. I found a quote one day by Henry David Thoreau that I think fits what I feel, “What you get by achieving your goal is not as important as what you become by achieving your goal.” I feel now that the Black Belt I be earning is not just a belt I will be wearing in karate. My Black Belt will be proof of who I am on the inside, too. I will be able to look at my Black Belt and know that if I work very hard and do not quit, I can do anything I want and succeed.