"Tang Soo Do as a whole has three priorities.  Better person, better health and self defense.  I’ve only really talked about how Tang Soo Do has given me self defense and has made me a better person.  I’m going to discuss how Tang Soo Do has given me better health and fitness.

When I reached 5^th grade, I had joined the band.  So when I entered 6^th grade, I didn’t choose physical education.  I of course chose band.  Even in 7^th grade, I had chose band over physical education.  In 8^th grade I dropped band, but I became an aide, again avoiding an active class during school.

Yet, because I joined Tang Soo Do.  I stayed in shape, built up muscle, strength, endurance and stamina.  Because of that I have been able to hold my own ground and keep up with others who have been in physical education for years.  My health has allowed me to do so much and I owe it all to Tang Soo Do and the rest of my karate family.

I thank my martial arts studio for allowing me to stay in such great shape.  I don’t believe I would be capable of performing as well as I am without them.  Tang Soo Do really has helped me keep up and gain great health."~ Lyss Bowman

“Master Williamson, I am honored to be part of the World Tang Soo Do Association because of the self-discipline and confidence I have learned from karate.

            I have gained confidence in myself and my ability to succeed in things I set as goals. For example; when you asked me if I was ready to test, I said, “I don’t know.” After listening to you and my parents talk about having the confidence and self-discipline to test, I knew I could do this because of what I learned in karate. I accomplished my goal of learning my one-steps.

            If you and my parents hadn’t challenged me to think about my confidence and self-discipline, I would not have made my goal in karate".

I enjoy the continuous challenge provided by the black belt instructors.  No matter how often or how long I’ve been coming to class I can expect to learn something new.  Since my last promotion I’ve started to learn a lot more about the fine points of my techniques and I’ve started to learn more about helping during class.~ Maria Thomas

Martial Arts at Starworld Academy of Fitness Professionals challenge me to improve my social manners, my physical being, and my inner self-esteem.  I have tried other activities and did not care for them because I was always singled out becaue I couldn’t keep up with the group.  The Martial arts at Starworld Academy allows me to get a workout, be in an enjoyable environment, and it helped boost my spirits when I had given up hope on finding some activity to help me. Thank you very much! ~ Amber B.

Dear Master Williamson

The reason why I went to Starworld Academy is to learn self defense and self confidence.  I like karate because I have fun.  They teach me respect and all the people are so nice.  They also help me if I am doing something wrong.  I will make it to green belt because I wok hard and I don’t play around in class.  I am going to make my black belt because I never give up!~ Rosa Shirley

Tang Soo Do has done many things for me. One thing is it helped me learn that I always need to study when teachers tell me to in karate or school, and to pay attention in class. Ever since I started I have paid more attention to when people tell me how to do things and what to do weather a favor or a task. It has helped with me shyness problem also because after I joined the leadership program about in a week I was able to talk to people and stand up in front of people easier than before. Finally I think it has helped in my strength because now in P.E. I can do 64 sit-ups in a minute and I now beat my best mile time with a time of 7: 39.~ Justin Ricks

What karate has done for me is it helped me to get better grades than last year.  It also helped me get involved in sports and not stay home playing video games like other kids do.  It’s helping me to feel confident with myself and to feel safe at school or anywhere else. And that’s what karate haws done for me in my life.   ~Dakota Alexander

Since I started karate I have learned a lot.  I feel better about myself and school is easier.  I really enjoy the class and it is fun.  MY mom and my teacher say that I am doing much better in my schoolwork and chores.  Being in karate gives me more energy and keeps me healthy.  Thank you Master Williamson for letting me take karate form you. ~Travis Ostrander.

Justin is enjoying the activities at Academy of Fitness Professionals. That is a key reason why we support his involvement in the activities.  Also, from an academic prospective, his involvement in the program has not has a negative affect on his grades.  He is still making the honor roll in school and was just selected has male student of the month (October) for the 7^th Grade atSmith Middle school.  He is excited to attend classes at Starworld Academy have reinforced those traits; however he is still very timid when approaching position of authority.  This is an area that he must gain more confidence in.  He must understand that respect for authority is wonderful, but intimidated by it is not. Respectfully,~ Mr. Wallace Ricks

Beth was the typical teenager before joining Starworld Academy. She was often found sitting at a computer or in front of a television all day. We tried to coax her to go outside or take walks with us; at times we even demanded it. Unfortunately, she would either resist our attempts or resent them altogether. Now that she has joined Starworld Academy, she volunteers to go the gym and wants to be more active at home and outside. She is proud of the physical improvements she sees in herself and this has helped her achieve a greater self-confidence. I enjoy seeing her walk with more confidence and not the personal slouch she had adopted.-Wayne and Christy Taylor

What Starworld Academy has done for me? Starworld Academy has taught me to be more respectful of my parents, teachers, and relatives. I have learned self-defense to defend my self. Also, I am learning responsibility which is helping me to not be a couch potato and is making me become the house helper. My grades have improved from last quarter, and I feel really great about doing well in school. I am looking forward to attend karate classes to learn more challenging forms from black belt this year. Before I joined Starworld Academy, I did not play much with my younger brother. I have made great improvements in my behavior towards my brother, playing often with my little brother together, and listening to my parents. I appreciate a lot more for what I have and what my parents are providing me. Starworld Academy has continued to be a fun and positive year-round learning experience for me. MY favorite activities after school are playing basketball, riding my bicycle, playing my flute, playing PS3 with my father, practice my Karate forms, and show my new karate skills to my parents and little brother.-~ Rakeen Abdali

I love working toward my Sr. Orange Belt because I am dedicated, learning, and having fun. Plus, I would love to have a black belt in two martial arts! It is hard to earn it because of the concentration, respect, focus, technique, and standards. But, I still have loads of fun! And, I adore learning Korean. Also, all the work shops and seminars are so fun and awesome! Anyway, I enjoy counting in Korean at school during 5^th hour P.E. It is really fun, plus, I just LOVE learning about other cultures. As you can probably tell, I am really pumped up for testing. I have the adrenaline flowing through me! I’ve got the power!  Tang Soo!~ Kyle Kurczweski

Karate at Starworld Academy has helped me be good my being nice to others, helping out at home, and at school. I have learned many martial art skills and I have improved on my kicks. I have learned to have fun and to have good sportsmanship. Tang Soo Do has also helped me to follow the rules at home and at school. Doing exercise helps me to be strong and healthy.-Neal Barnhill

I would like to take this opportunity on my daughter Lauren’s Blue Belt promotion to discuss the positive benefits I see happening to her by taking karate at the Starworld Academy. Since becoming a Red Belt, Lauren has taken her training to a higher level. She regularly attends Ms. Sim’s Saturday morning class. This training is essential for successfully passing the Black Belt Test. Lauren realizes this, and although she knows Ms. Sims class is very demanding, she faces the challenge with a positive attitude. Her martial arts skills are apparent. She has competed in last October’s WTSDA Region II Competition and earned three first place medals in forms, sparring, and weapons in her division. Most recently, Lauren also has joined Starworld Academy SWAT program. This decision was a result of her initiative, not mine. I fully support her decision, and as I watch her assist the senior instructor during her assigned class, I readily see her leadership skills maturing. Lauren is also successful outside the studio. She excels academically. She ahs maintained a 97% average at Imagine Charter over the first two quarters of the academic year. She has done this despite a less than friendly learning environment. Last September, she suffered a concussion on the playground. Although the incident shook her up, she did not let it deter her performance at school. She is respected by her peers, and she can compete on equal with the boys in physical activity. At ten years old and now facing her blue belt promotion, Lauren is ready for this final step toward Black Belt. I expect that she more than meet the challenge and quite possibly be ready for Black Belt testing within the next year. Lauren’s star is rising and her participation at Starworld Academy has been a key element to her success. Sincerely,~ Walter J. Vidinski