Simone Hippolyte when she started doing Taekwondo.

I’m glad that I persevered through this tough time of year and managed to earn my 2nd Dan. Overall, I would say that I’m filled head to toe with bliss for reaching this goal during this time of year. But I still have many mixed feelings about my accomplishment like happiness, relief, satisfaction, and much more. The classes were different and they depended on other things like having good internet connection and the space to do Taekwondo. Thankfully these classes, despite all the requirements, helped me improve during COVID – 19. Henceforth, I would like to continue doing more Taekwondo and I don’t have a stopping point in mind. I would like to say that I give all of my gratitude to everyone who helped me during these streaming classes. I am eternally thankful to all of you and I will always remember this moment.

Ethan Hippolyte when he started doing Taekwondo.

Getting to achieve my Second Dan in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic has truly shown me what it means to persevere. When I heard that I passed the test I was overcome with excitement, since all the hard work practicing in almost complete isolation had paid off. I am glad that in my own way I was able to triumph over coronavirus by not allowing it to completely put my life on hold. Even in the midst of the pandemic I refused to sit back and do nothing by continuing to practice Taekwondo. It gave me something to do while I was at home and made quarantine less boring. So, thank you to all the instructors who found a way to continue teaching everyone remotely. It has made a huge difference for not only myself but for others as well. Their teachings from afar made quarantine less dismal, and because of them I am proud to have achieved Second Dan status. In the near future I plan to further improve my knowledge of the art Taekwondo. I also hope that I can become a helpful asset as a teen leader, and help my fellow students.

Daniel Zhao during his first year of doing Taekwondo.

Receiving my 2nd Dan Black Belt has been quite the achievement and an honor. Although it was not the way I imagined it,(online) it was still as incredible an experience as ever. I am honored to be able to represent the Jae H. Kim Taekwondo School and especially the Ashland branch as a 2nd Dan. I was able to achieve this belt through hard work and perseverance. I am lucky enough to thank my parents for letting me attend Taekwondo, Ms. Shim and the many instructors who helped me get here, and the school community for being supportive of me and the other new 2nd Dans. I plan to work hard in the future to be a good teen leader and 2nd Dan black belt and will strive to achieve my next goal of 3rd Dan.

Aarish Jonchhe when he started doing Taekwondo.

Ever since I started Taekwondo my goal was to become a black belt, now I just became a second dan black belt. I never thought I would come this far, I always thought I would quit Taekwondo when I am 1st dan black belt. I cannot believe that I’m a 2nd Dan black belt. Now that I’m a 2nd Dan black belt, I feel like I have to be more responsible. I have to work harder, and I have to give more effort learning my new forms and teaching others. I am honored to be a 2nd Dan black belt. I’m so proud of myself. Now I have to be a role model to black belts and color belts. I am looking forward to helping other color belts with their forms and one-steps to achieve their goals. I am thankful to my Taekwondo instructors and my parents for motivating me to be a 2nd Dan black belt.