tracy thomas, ata, american taekwondo association, karate

1. Testimonial and Review Dedication and Commitment<br />Since I first enrolled in the karate for kids program at Changing Lives ATA Martial Arts, I have found that is helped me in many ways. I have become a better athlete, and I have become more focused on my schoolwork and respectful to my parents. I have also learned to be more dedicated and committed to my schoolwork even when it is hard sometimes.<br />Training in martial arts at the karate for kids program at CLMA is pretty fun most of the time. I get to see my friends from class and learn from cool teachers like Master Thomas. We learn kicks, punches, strikes, self-defense and different forms. But sometimes the training we do is pretty hard. We have to do lots of push-ups and repeat kicks many times until I feel like my leg is going to fall off.<br />But in karate we learn that we have to always keep trying and never give up, even when something is hard to do. Maintaining dedication to karate it helps me to become a better martial artist and a better person overall. The same dedication and commitment I learn in my martial arts classes also helps me to be dedicated to my schoolwork. <br />Schoolwork can be hard sometimes and a lot of the time I don't really feel like doing it, especially in math class. But my teachers at the karate for kids program always tell us to have a never say die attitude and to practice indomitable spirit. I tell myself this when I am in school and things get hard, and it makes it easier for me to stay focused and dedicated. Now I always stay focused on what the teacher is saying and listen in class.<br />Since I started training in martial arts I have had better grades and even been on the honor roll and student of the month board. I do not think I would be as focused and committed to my schoolwork if it weren't for training at CLMA with Master Thomas and the other instructors.<br />When we have to do hard things in martial arts class, all my friends and fellow students always encourage each other to stay committed and to do the best we can. I am very grateful to be able to study martial arts and to have become more dedicated to my schoolwork and more helpful around the house with my parents.<br />Before martial arts I would become frustrated easily and I would want to give up if something was hard in school. I did not listen to my teachers in class and I would not do my homework and instead try to copy my friend's on the bus. Now I am dedicated to doing the best job I can do in school, around the house and everywhere else in my life. I'm grateful that martial arts has taught me this valuable lesson about being focused and committed.<br /> Connie W.<br />