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As some of you know, and for those of you who don't, last night, December 17, 2008, I tested for my second black belt. When most people reach the goal of black belt, they see that as the final stepping stone of their journey. But actually, it's just the begining. I began my journey in April of 2001, about two weeks before my sixth birthday of May, 3. Almost three years later, along with my mother, in January at the age of 8, I acheived my first goal: I earned my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Back then, people still terrified me. After seeing that I wasn't making progress with my sparring, my instructor, Master William Albert Schneider, switched me to the new style he had started teaching, Kenpo, at around the age of 10. This style quickly faded, and was replaced by a newer one: Premeir Martial Arts. I started that at around the age of 11. Over the years, I grew. And not just height wise. I became a strong, confident, people loving, goal driven girl. Last night, at the age of 13, I tested for my second black belt. If I told you it was an easy task, I'd be lying. However, I can honestly tell you I wasn't the least bit nervous, excited rather. Part of the requirements for the test were to do and record 100 Random Acts of Kindness, and to write an essay on the topic 'What Does A Black Belt Mean To Me?' These had been previously turned in and reveiwed. We started out doing 55 crunches and 55 push-ups without stopping. Pretty easy. Then my instructor sat us down, and brought us up one at a time to run each of the forms in turn. According to the judges and the others, we did awesome. Then we got our escrima, or Kali, sticks, and the four of us got with the person preasigned to us. My partner, 20 year old Joshsua(Josh) O'Dell Johnson, is someone I am very close to, and consider a brother, and vice versa. (except he sees me as sister instead of a brother) Josh is an amazing stick fighter, while the escrima stick is not my forte.(of course, I have yet to find a weapon that is) But with Josh's natural skill, I managed to make it look like I knew what I was doing, and even made it look like I did it well. Again, according to he judges, we all did awesome. After that, we put up pur sticks and slipped on our boxing gloves and shin guards. Then we ran through all 50 or so kickboxing combonations. After we finished, we shed our gloves and moved onto our self defense techniques. After about 50 or so of those, he brought us up for each of the judges to question us. Since I do not have the permission of the other boys, I will just be sharing my questions, and how I answered them. My first question was 'This isn't your first black belt you've tested for. What's the difference between then, and now?' My response was 'Back then, I was terrifiedof the people watching. Now, I learned just to see them as okay and just have them watch without scaring me' The next question was 'In your essay, you talked about important qualities of a black belt. Which would you say is the hardest to do?' My response was 'Keeping my cool all the time, so that if someone's annoying me really bad or bullying me, I don't fly off the handle and beat them up, and set a bad example and name for other black belts' Next question was 'As your mom said, this isn't your first black belt. You've been doing this for quite a while. What would you say is you favorite part of martial arts?' My response was ' Just being able to come in and do it with my friends and have fun' My next question was 'Again, this isn't your first black belt. I've known you for quite sometime, from back when you first started. I've watched you grow. What was the most difficult obstacle you had to overcome?' My response was 'Just willing to be around people, and not be afraid of them. I can't learn if I'm to afraid to be around someone for them to teach me' Next question 'Where do you see yourself in about 5 or 10 years?' My response 'Honestly, I'd like to start another style, as well as advance in the ranks I already have' Next question 'What was your reason for joining Martial Arts?' My response 'I was terrified of people from where my dad abused me. I just wanted to learn to defend myself so I don't get thrown around all my life' Last question 'What is your least favorite thing about Martial Arts?' My response 'The breaks' After thinking on my answer for a moment, I added,'Not the board breaking, the time off' (which my instructor said I got bonus points for that answer) Then we got our wood, and broke one at a time. My brother shattered through his first one one board at a time, (which is common when power breaking) then shattered through his two boards on his side kick on the first try. I don't remember how the others did, but when I went up there, my instructor informed everyone on the diffuclty I had with breaking on my first black belt test, and how tonight, I'd requested to break an adult male's board, despite the fact I was a 13 year old girl. I shattered through my first board on the first try with a front kick. Then I smashed through my second bord with an elbow. After that, we geared up for our sparring and kickboxing rounds(I'll post a blog with details about that later) After the test, the judges praised all of us. I still vividly remember how I felt after I passed my test for my first black belt when I was 8, and how I thought that was the best feeling in the world. Oh how off I was. Last night, not only did I sucessfully earn my second black belt, I earned it with my brother, whom I love and care for very much, and two good friends, but we made history. Last night, the four of us made history as being the first to earn a black belt in this style in the state of Kentucky, and I made history as the first female to earn her black belt in this style in the state of Kentucky. Words can't even begin to describe how great I felt after that test, not only mentally and emotionly, but physically as well. I can't remember a time I have ever felt that great.

What a Black Belt Is To Me By: Cassie Herwarth To me, a black belt can mean many things. For certain, it is more than just a piece of cloth that is worn around a person's waist. Rather, a black belt is the person, who has devoted themselves for years to study and live by the code of martial arts and respect. A black belt means dedication. It's a long road to the goal of the black belt, and not all people are willing to give that time. The road can also be hard, and even those willing to give the time may not be willing to give all the effort needed. A black belt means knowledge. One cannot travel on a road for so long and working hard without gaining knowledge. This is part of what separates them from the wanna bes. You cannot travel the road of a black belt in ignorance. A black belt means kindness. A person cannot achieve the goal of a black belt in isolation. They have to have the knowledge and guidance of a sensei. The martial artist will find their sensei will refuse to teach them if they cannot act in kindness. A black belt means respect. By walking on this path, they realize how challenging it can be at times. They develop a sense of endearment and respect for those that have paved the roads for them, are willing to travel the road after them, and for the lives of people in general. A black belt means leadership. By achieving this goal and the knowledge that comes with it, they are ready to pass their knowledge onto the 'fledglings' on the roads behind them, which provides help over any potholes that may appear on the way. A black belt means listening. It is impossible to achieve the goal of black belt without listening to the guidance, knowledge, and instructions of those who already have. It is also impossible to help struggling students, or people in general, with their problems without listening to them. A black belt means confidence without arrogance. A black belt cannot allow other to push them around and tell them how to follow one path in order to fit in. A black belt must have the confidence to follow what they think is right. At the same time, they must not be so arrogant as to think they are always right. They must be able to step down, accept they are wrong, and accept guidance. A black belt must not act like my Aneki's parakeet, Cloud. A black belt does not, or should not, seek to rule the world. One of the goals of a black belt is to help make the world a better, more peaceful place. Above all, a black belt means to just be a kind, caring, honest person. They will offer a helping hand to those around them, without lying to themselves or others. This is what a black belt means to me.