What a Black Belt Means To Me by Mackenzie Willbanks

A Black Belt Karate is a White Belt who Never Quit I started writing this essay about what a black belt karate means to me by listing the obvious: dedication, motivation, grit and perseverance, but then I realized that this wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t personal to me and to vague. And then I remembered […]

Black Belt Essay by George Leigh IV

karate[kuh-rah-tee] noun a method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by striking sensitive areas on an attacker’s body with the hands, elbows, knees, or feet. I’ve been asked to describe what earning a black belt means to me. What karate means to me ? First, it will let me know […]

Black Belt Essay by Aidan Pryor

My black belt Journey I have been a member of Amerikick Martial Arts since I was 3 ½ years old. Over the last 8 years of my black belt journey, I have been building my self-defense skills and have incorporated the black belt principles of modesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, indomitable spirit, and self-discipline into my […]

What A Black Belt Means To Me by Miles Kellner

When I was three years old Sensei Chris came to William Penn Center Preschool once a week to teach us the basic foundations of karate. I enjoyed learning karate because it was really fun and helped me get my energy out because I was (and still am, at age 10) a very active kid. Sensei […]

Black Belt Essay by Megan Embrico

Martial Arts Karate When I started Martial Arts Karate five and a half years ago, I didn’t fully understand what a black belt represented. I always thought it was just a different colored belt to show what level of karate a person knew. But when I was a green belt, it hit me and I […]

Black Belt Essay by Debra Makino

The Beginning: Seeking Self-Confidence Through Earning a Black Belt When I look in the mirror, I’m reminded of why I started karate and began the journey of earning a black belt. I began this journey to boost my self-confidence because I felt like a doormat, taken advantage of by others. While my initial goal was […]

What A Black Belt Means To Me by Jadyn Friedman

My journey with Karate belts  A black belt degree is one of the most important accomplishments that I could ever achieve. My journey with Karate belts  started 4 years ago when we came to Amerikick to try karate. I remember that my sister and I had our try out with Sensei Brendan, who was still a […]

Black Belt Essay by Hunter Penz

The Personal Growth Achieved Through Earning a Black Belt Martial Arts Earning a black belt in martial arts is not just about mastering physical techniques; it’s a transformative journey that fosters personal growth and development. Over the past two years, since receiving my black belt, I have evolved both as a person and a martial artist. […]

What Black Belt Means To Me by Adam Pitula

Black Belt Degree Karate Black Belt Degree means to me hard work, self discipline and always trying my best. I have been doing karate for over half of my life and from the day I started I have dreamed of being a black belt. Every time I attended a class and I saw a person […]

Black Belt Essay by Bill Diamantakos

Adult Karate: From Sideline Dad to Inspired Student The journey of my belt graduation began in  2012 at the age of 44. Although I was always interested in combat sports as long as I can remember, I never imagined that I could actually consider earning a black belt in adult karate at my age. My […]