Black Belt Essay by Samson Gutwirth

Samson Gutwirth

Since earning my senior black belt, I’ve learned so much. Teaching students, talking with other Senseis and competing have taught me the lessons I’m about to write about. The grandest thing I’ve learned is probably the fact that setting a goal is important. For so long, in Martial Arts, I’ve been going with flow, trying when I had to, and not trying when it wasn’t necessary. I’ve learned that without a doubt, that climbing the highest mountain, or shooting for the moon alike is more important than anything. I’ve also learned that teaching the next group of up and coming Martial Artists to my full capacity is too important to put into words.

            Some ask, why choose this as your goal? Why climb the highest mountain? Why choose to shoot for the moon? For so long I’ve only answered that question with a simple “why not?” Now however, I answer “I’m taking this goal, this challenge, not because it is easy, but because it is hard. Because that goal will serve to show who I really am, and that challenge is one I can accept, and one I’m willing to uphold, and one I can take a lesson from”. I only answer this way because of the things I’ve learned from receiving and having my senior black belt. Seeing students achieve their goals is amazing. They choose goals that they believe are so difficult. Through seeing how they choose their goals and then live up to them, I have learned that choosing a goal that is difficult for oneself is more important than ever.

            Since getting my black belt, I’ve also learned that teaching the next group of white belts or purple belts or red belts to the best of my own ability is one of the most important things ever. If that next group of potential black belts isn’t taught well, what help are we giving them? What motivation are we giving them to go forward in that goal of black belt? If a Sensei doesn’t expose the students to his or her abilities and indomitable spirit, then it doesn’t show that group of Martial Artists something to work towards. Something to be. If Senseis don’t work their hardest, and do their best all the time, then what kind of role model is that for the students? The truth is that it’s not giving the students a role model. If a Sensei doesn’t work their hardest, it doesn’t do anything for the students.

            Every person on this planet learns their own lessons in different ways, and every person has a different experience. However, I believe that one of the best ways to learn life lessons is through Martial Arts. Setting that next goal and driving to the best you can be is more important than anything, and so is teaching others to do the same. These are lessons and ideals, I wouldn’t have learned otherwise if I hadn’t involved myself in Martial Arts and gotten my black belt. This is what I’ve learned since getting my black belt.

Visit www.amerikickmedford.com for more information about our programs. 

New Kickboxing Promo Video Upload

Check out our newest Kickboxing Video on YouTube. Please be sure to recommend us to a friend.

Black Belt Essay by Colin Boisvert

What I Have Learned Since Getting My Black Belt

Sensei Colin Boisvert

To think that it’s been 4 years since I wrote my first essay for black belt testing blows my mind. Even more so, I first started karate around 8 years ago, when I was 7 years old. Since then, I’ve acquired two black belts, and am closer and closer to obtaining my third. Throughout the countless amazing years at the Amerikick karate school in Medford, I have learned so much about self-defense, technique and just about myself as a person. For these reasons alone, I cannot express the infinite amount of knowledge I’ve gained in my time at Amerikick, let alone since earning my black belt. But for writing purposes, it appears I’m going to have to manage naming a few of the most important things I’ve learned since getting my black belt.

    For one, because of achieving the rank of black belt, Ive learned a lot more about leadership than ever before. Almost every Thursday, I get up in front of the class and lead warm-up, in order to help boost the aforementioned leadership skills. By doing this, I believe that it has improved my self-confidence as well as my ability to control and help out younger classmates. During these classes, I also enjoy helping out other classmates, and assisting them with their weapons or tricks. In doing this, I believe that I am helping the younger belts improve as well as gradually building my trust level with the classmates. Because trust me, that takes a long time; even ten year olds have trust issues. But in all seriousness, leadership is an essential quality to have in real life, as it gets more people to respect you as a person and to work with you in a group. So for helping these skills reach an insurmountable height, I have Amerikick to thank.

   As for another, I've learned a lot about self-defense since achieving my black belt. All of the techniques and moves that I was taught before black belt are nothing compared to the myriad of attacks and defenses I've learned since then. I'm sure that for every move anyone could throw at me in a dangerous situation, there's about ten different ways I could handle that threat. In turn, I've learned about different methods of attacking an opponent, if the unfortunate occurrence of something like that were to happen. Regardless of this however, I have my black belt to thank for further teaching me how to keep myself intact through the rest of my years.

   And to add one final skill I've learned since accomplishing the fear of black belt, I have to have persistence throughout my life. After getting a black belt, some might discard karate from their list of activities to do, acting as if they're done. But as I've continued through these past few years, I've realized what persistence can accomplish for a person. After four years, I've expanded my library of tricks to include things like 540s and aerials (albeit an iffy aerial), and even back flips. These were always things I'd dreamed about doing for the longest time, and now I've finally added them to my arsenal. The same would apply to the aforementioned techniques, as there was so much more that I learned, that I honestly never could have thought of. I guess because of black belt, you could say I've completed some life goals of mine.

   So there you have it, those are some of the things I've learned since achieving my black belt. Throughout these past four years, I've learned so much, and being at Amerikick has made those years the best of my life. So to say the least, achieving my black belt changed me as a person, and I'll never forget it for that.

Visit www.amerikickmedford.com for more information about our programs. 

Black Belt Essay by Mia Goldstein

Mia Goldstein

What does Black Belt mean to me? There are countless answers, but my top three examples are:

1. Learning leadership skills that help me mentor other students.
2. Developing the strength and courage to defend myself in a situation where it is needed.
3. Achieving a long-term goal.

Earning my Black Belt means so very many things to me, but these   examples are just some of the reasons why I have worked hard for so many years to achieve my objective.

A Black Belt means learning leadership skills that can help me mentor other students. If another student that is one belt or many belts away is having trouble with their kata or technique, I would offer to help them because that’s what a true Black Belt would do. A true Black Belt looks out for what's best for the whole team. I would demonstrate the proper form and stances, and offer encouragement and support. This a what I learned from my mentors at Amerikick, From my early teachers, Sensei Alisa and Sensei Garrett, to my most recent mentors, Sensei Mike Recinto and Sensei Mike Infante, they have all exhibited amazing leadership abilities and helped me develop my skills too.

Black Belt also means having the strength and courage to stand up for others and myself in a situation when it is needed. If someone tried to attack my friends or me, I would be able to rely on my confidence and self-defense techniques to protect us. There are so many different techniques for so many different attacks. For example, if someone attacked you with a right shoulder grab, you can use step and chop, step and hammer-fist, or even a wrap around! Strength and courage to defend yourself comes with Black Belt.

When I receive my Black Belt, I will also be achieving a long-term goal. Earning my Black Belt in Karate has been my goal ever since I was four years old. After we started moving up in rank, some of my friends started dropping out. However, the more I progressed, the more motivated I became. I told myself that I would not quit Karate no matter what. I now realize that I was right for not giving up. If I had quit in the middle of the process, I would not be where I am today. After I get my Junior Black Belt, I will set a goal to get my senior Black Belt then first degree and so on and so on. To me, Black Belt means setting long-term goals and seeing them through.

I am very excited to be testing for my Black Belt, as there are so many examples of what Black Belt means to me. Learning to be a great leader and mentor to other students, developing the strength and courage to defend myself, and reaching a long-term goal are all reasons why I will be excited and proud when I am finally presented with my Black Belt.

Visit www.amerikickmedford.com for more information about our programs. 

Black Belt Essay by Connor Maguire

What Black Belt Means to Me

Connor Maguire

The black belt means many things to me. It represents many, many classes, practice, hard work and determination as well as all the time put in to get here.  In second grade, I started karate, now finally, in 8th grade, I am ready to test.  I had to be determined, to keep going, it's a long road from white to black.  Sparring is fun and gives you lots of confidence.  Confidence to stand your ground and to stand back up and keep fighting too. .  It has given me confidence to stand up for myself, my beliefs and what is right, even when my friends aren't making great choices.

You need to practice until you are perfect and be fit.  This belt has meaning to me because it has helped me in many aspects of my life.  Because of the fitness part of this test, I have had to work hard to become physically fit.  That is not easy for me.  I've never been very fit.  I've always been active, but not really fit.  To get ready for this test and the personal fitness merit badge in Boy Scouts, my parents found a trainer to help me with creating a fitness goal and the proper form when exercising.  I now work out with Chris, my trainer, twice a week and go to the gym another 3 times per week to work on my own.  It has been amazing the changes that have happened.  I have actually become stronger and can do more pushups than some of my friends - that's a big deal for me.  I recognize from this hard work, that being physically fit is a good thing and that to reach a goal you must work at it and do whatever it takes to reach it.

The black belt has meaning because it makes me proud to know I will have accomplished something when I earn it.  Many quit along the way or lose interest, I have always known that I want to go all the way to black.  I learned that you need to work hard to achieve anything in life and the same is true for a black belt.  I have worked hard studying all parts of testing and practicing to earn the belt. I have put in a lot of effort get here eligible for testing.  I needed to put in the time to practice and exercise to get to the point where I can actually test. 

I have to endure to get this belt as well.  During the different phases of the test I will have to endure to get through them.  Because of this belt I also know I have done something worthwhile with my time and not wasted it. I feel like this is a large accomplishment in my life so far. I learned that being more fit makes you feel better as well as perform better. I learned that you need to work hard to achieve anything in life and the same is true for a black belt. All of these things give the black belt meaning to me. 

Visit www.amerikickmedford.com for more information about our programs. 

Black Belt Essay by Ryan Woods

What Black Belt Means to Me

Ryan Woods

My name is Ryan Woods and I am a red belt student at Amerikick Medford. I have been going to Amerikick for a number of years now.  I started out as a white belt and now I am a red belt, excited to be testing for his black belt.  Getting my black belt is extremely important to me.  Receiving my black belt means many things to me, let me explain, what a black belt means to me.

A black belt is dedication.  It takes many years to earn a black belt and to do that you must commit to going to class, regular and sparring, learning new techniques and katas, and paying attention.

A black belt is determination.  I was determined to get my black belt and did not quit even when times were tough, like after my mom's surgery or being tired from school.  I was determined to get better, in the beginning i would kick a bag and it would not budge.  But, as time went on, I became stronger and able to kick the bag and get it moving, with a flying side kick I can kick the bag over!

A black belt has self control.  For example, I was on school property and some larger bullies became physical with me, and I used self control and did not kick or punch them because it is against school rues to fight, even if you are defending yourself.  A black belt is never a bully.

A black belt is modest.  Someone that has or is earning their black belt does not show off, brag or act cocky.  Because the black belt gives you pride.

A black belt is a person who is strong.  They are strong mentally, physically, and emotionally.  You have mental strength, for example because during testing and training it will be tiring and your mind has to tell you to keep going and do not stop.  You have to be physically strong , for example, because during the exercises you have to have physical strength to do them and pass.  You have to be emotionally strong, for example, because during testing you may be very emotional because you are nervous or scared because you want that black belt, though to get there  is hard so you have to try to hold the emotions back and work through it.

A black belt is a good role model.  The lower belts and younger kids look up to the black belts.  In class a black belt listens and does not fool around. Black belts are nice, use a kind voice, and have patience with the smaller kids. The black belts know the katas and techniques and are able to demonstrate them to the lower belts.  A black belt is a good role model every where, like school and Scouts.  They are good role models by getting good grades, doing homework, doing chores, focusing, studying, good behavior, listening to and respecting teachers.  I want to be that role model.

A black belt means respect.  They respect others and they get respect because they earned it.

A black belt is confident.  They can do things better because of their confidence, like when I sparred another red belt student, we seemed equal at sparring, they earned their black belt and seemed to spar better.  They do not doubt themselves.

After I earn my black belt I will feel very good about myself.  I will feel this because it is a great accomplishment, a goal I reached, and I tried my best.

I will be extremely proud when I earn my black belt.  I will smile from ear to ear.  My mom, dad, and sister Riley will be proud too.

My mom said earning my black belt will inspire her to get better so she can take karate classes and earn a black belt. This is what a black belt means to me.

Visit www.amerikickmedford.com for more information about our programs. 

Black Belt Essay by Hayley Kowalczyk

What Black Belt Means to Me

Hayley Kowalczyk

When I hear the word “Black Belt” it means many different things to me.  First, it means endless effort and determination.  Second, it means hard work and skill. Most importantly, being awarded my black belt means I have accomplished many katas, routines, and goals as I move closer to achieving my dream of becoming a Sensei.   Every week I look forward to the next skill we will be learning.  I have trained at Amerikick for the last 6 years.  I was in first grade when I first began and had no idea how much Amerikick would become a part of my life. Ever since then I have been learning new techniques, katas, and training to achieve the biggest accomplishment of my life.

This journey has taught me many things. I feel honor and pride every time I step onto the mat or am asked to help the Sensei’s during class. Being a leader is a responsibility that comes with earning your Black Belt.  Being able to show responsibility on and off the mat is a trait that I have embedded in myself as I reach this dream of mine.  It is my responsibility to practice with the other candidates as well as on my own. It is my responsibility to learn the techniques, katas and be mentally and physically prepared. Most importantly, it is my responsibility to encourage the other candidates to always do their best, and help them during times of frustration and struggles.  I am proud of all my involvement at Amerikick and the accomplishments that I have made throughout this testing cycle.

In addition, earning my Black Belt means respect. Becoming a Sensei and putting the Black Belt around my waist for the first time is a picture I have created in my mind for a long time.  People treat you with a higher level of admiration and respect when you have accomplished a goal as great as this one. Younger students will ask me for advice and my help in mastering different belt expectations. I once was that student, but soon I can be the one sharing my love of karate with others. As a Black Belt, I have proven that I can protect myself and others if faced with unfortunate circumstances. I will implement what I have learned and protect myself from any attacker that may try to hurt me. Wearing a Black Belt shows strength to those around you.

I have been fortunate to learn from some of the most talented and dedicated Senseis. Sensei Mike Recinto and Sensei Mike Infante have taught me the true meaning of hard work, persistence, determination, and respect. Both these Sensei’s have dedicated many hours towards helping me follow the path they have traveled and love. I will always remember what they have done to prepare me for one of the biggest moments of my life and to always follow my dreams.

I will always treasure the memories and friendships that I have created at Amerikick.  As I continue my life’s journey, I will follow the guidance, positive examples, and perseverance that the Sensei’s have taught me both on and off the karate mat. I am thankful for their help in making me be the person I am today.

                In conclusion, I will look at my Black Belt and it will remind me of hours of hard work, determination, mastering katas and techniques, friendships, leadership, and respect. As I close my eyes at night, I was fall asleep smiling because my dreams have come true.

Visit www.amerikickmedford.com for more information about our programs.