Taekwondo has deeply influenced my life and the majority of the time I haven't even realized it. I started TKD at the tender age of five years old, and the reason that I started was because my brother was doing it-at the time l had to do everything that he was doing because I wanted to be like him. After I started TKD I recognized that I liked it, and somehow getting to kick my brother without him sitting on my head really got me hooked! When l understood that TKD was for me, I started to make goals because I wanted to achieve a great deal. One of my goals was to achieve my black belt regardless of how long it took. Through this one goal, I have learned how to persevere through defeat, and pick myself up to try again. My other goal or dream was to compete in the summer Olympics in TKD. I was, and still am, a very competitive person and I truly believed that I could accomplish this dream. However sometimes you can't control everything, and I couldn't control the cards that I was played-I wasn't defeated, I was just pointed in a different direction. I am still holding on to one of my Olympic dreams, and that is with skiing. Since I have chosen to pursue skiing at a more competitive level, my TKD has suffered a little, and I can't be as competitive in it. Through this goal l have learned to try my best and to roll with the cards that I am played. I still have a goal of achieving my black belt, and this goal is a realistic one. Through hard work and determination I will accomplish what I set out to do. TKD has taught me how to focus and it has taught me to respect others and myself. TKD has instilled confidence in me and I have learned modesty. I have learned how to believe in myself and trust myself.-among all of these things I have learned how to defend myself I have learned that determination, perseverance, and hard work are all aspects of who I am, and I couldn't have reached where I am today without these important characteristics. TKD is a part of me, and it always will be-I will never stop learning and I will never stop training. I grew up training in the !:,')'Ill, and people have come and gone. But the one thing that has remained the same is the instructor who taught, and still teaches, the annoying little five year old who just wanted to do it because her brother was doing it. l I have learned the biggest lesson of al; I have learned that without a great instructor teaching you, there is nothing to be learned. I had a goal in my mind, but she didn't understand that the goal was to be just like her. I wanted to be a national champion, and I wanted to win medals to put around her neck, but most of all I just wanted to have the same colour belt as her. So I said to myself, "I am going to be her first female black belt, and I am going to be just like her." I will be her first female black belt, and because of this I am truly honoured. She has taught me so much over the years and as I've grown, my respect for her has grown. TKD has affected my life as I have matured, but my instructor has always guided me and helped me to become who I am today. I have no regrets with being such a big tomboy when I was younger because if I weren't then I wouldn't have come to TKD. When I was growing up it kept me on the straight and narrow-when I was sad I could punch the bag, and when I was happy it was my sport that I loved. I wouldn't change anything because without TKD and a great instructor, I wouldn't be who I am at this time. 

I joined Taekwondo 5 years ago, when I was 9 years old. The main reason I joined was to learn a form of self defense. I never imagined it would teach me so much more. Other than school, Taekwondo has been my main commitment in life. Taekwondo has given me confidence, mental and physical strength, leadership skills, discipline and many values that are key to living a healthy, balanced life. It has taught me how to be respectful and kind towards others and how to be a positive role-model. Other important things Taekwondo has taught me are long-lasting friendships. Our Taekwondo group is like a family. We support each other during stressful times and hardships. We also celebrate each others accomplishments. We train together, we participate in events such as the annual "Pitch-In" day and the Canada Day Parade, we fund raise together, and we meet with other Taekwondo schools at camps and tournaments. Being a part of Whistler Taekwondo for me has meant being part of a great and supportive group of people who are always there for me, especially my peers that are training for their black belt test with me. Master Dawn always prepares us for tests and has always kept us in line. Her leadership and the positive role model that she is has helped me become the person I am today. Without Master Dawn, none of us would have come this far in Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a sport that is meant to keep you active and strong and help prepare you should you find yourself in a dangerous situation. It has also helped me perform well in other sports such as soccer and swimming. It is the ultimate lesson, something no classroom could ever teach. It has taught me moral values that I could not find in any other sport. It will provide a strong foundation for the rest of my life. Although the path has just begun, I can already see the positive changes Taekwondo has made in my life.