A College Essay

By Lexi Brautovich

Mr. George Strickland has owned his own Tae Kwon Do school near to my home for more than two decades. He holds a 8th degree black belt and is an incredible instructor. I now hold a 2nd degree black belt. Mr. Strickland’s support and instruction were a huge influence on my life. He always had great confidence in me and never gave up on me. I had very challenging balance issues due to my hearing disability, had trouble keeping pace, and kept falling many times. Mr. Strickland did not pity or console me; instead he pushed me to be the strong person I am today.

When I first began Tae Kwon Do I struggled mastering the detailed moves required at each level and felt I was doing everything wrong. Mr. Strickland was very patient with me and said “C’mon you can do this, you’re not a quitter.” When I received my orange belt and started sparing with other students of higher ranks. I was easily frustrated I was just not as aggressive as the other students. The frustration level was pretty high and wasn’t sure if I could continue on. With Mr. Strickland’s help and support, I became more confident, more aggressive during our work-outs, strong-minded, and not afraid of anyone who came across my path. Mr. Strickland did not only teach the mechanics of Tae Kwon Do, he also helped me understand the importance of discipline, perseverance and willpower.

Tae Kwon Do had a major effect on my school work as it instilled in me a much higher level of self-confidence than I ever had before. As I got better at the sport I soon won medals in Regional and National competitions and started sparing with adults without a problem. I wouldn’t have been able to do all of this without help from Mr. Strickland. Mr. Strickland also taught me that life isn’t always about winning or being the best. It’s about pushing yourself to be the best that you can be for who you are. Muhammad Ali the great American boxer and World Champion once said “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they had deep inside them- A desire, A dream, AND a vision.” Mr. Strickland taught me that being a champion in martial arts and in life takes dedication, time, and integrity. I now know that I can also achieve great things if I work hard and don’t give up. Thank you Mr. Strickland.