STAR GRADERS March/April 2025
- TKD Admin
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
What an amazing bunch of teenagers these lot are. We are SO proud of them.
When our students achieve their 1st Dan black belt under the age of 16, they have to wait longer than those over 16 to be allowed to grade for their 2nd Dan. This is to allow them to grow and develop as black belts, with consideration for their young age and not asking them to be like adults - because they are not!
They are graded once a year in incremental stages, as part of the black belt grading process, to build their confidence and show their determination to reach the next grade. These are called Star Gradings, and they are awarded a star to wear on their dobok to show their progression and keep them moving towards their next Dan grade. All our young black belts do this, and it is testament to their commitment and attitude that they keep on achieving.
But they have worked for this, they train every week. They know their stuff. They learned their Korean theory. And they smashed it.
Kim and Jess were in the top 3 for Best in Star Grading (c. 30 people). Kim deservedly won it. You will see Kim and Jess also on our instructors page - they are committed!
Kim now has a 3rd Star, Tomas, Lukas and Jess have a 2nd Star and Eli has a 1st Star.
Are they normal teenagers? YES.
Do they spend half their time on Instagram and Snapchat and moaning about school? YES.
Do they prefer to be holed up in their beds on a Saturday morning? YES.
Did they want to quit at times during their journey? YES. (All of them have said this!)
Did their parents have to push through and bring them anyway sometimes? YES.
But do they show up and strive to be the best they can be? YES.
Are they proud of their achievements when they get their black belt? YES. 100%
It is no coincidence that they are also the sort of teenager that chooses to enter Duke of Edinburgh challenges to push themselves, they play other sports too, they do well at school, they support each other. All of these kids go to different secondary schools, they only know each other through Tae Kwon do. They are just a small group of the amazing young people in our club - there are lots more like them.
If you want your child to thrive and grow - keep bringing them. Even when they don't want to come to class. You can help them have the right environment to be as awesome as these teenagers - and when they fly off into the world as young adults - they can set themselves apart from all the others - uni applications, job applications, gaining friends and partners in the future - they will stand out for all the right reasons.
We do more at this club than teach kicking and punching!
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