Rainbow to Black

After eight years of hard work, Livvi was promoted to black belt in Tae Kwon Do on November 1. Now the real work begins to truly learn the art.

The test was nearly 5 hours long (due in part to 5 other students going up with Liv and another going for her 2nd degree black belt).

The test included warm ups, forms, weapons, choreography, board breaking, brick breaking (note the concerned look on Joie's face above when Liv attempted to break a brick), sparring, push ups, sit ups, etc.

The students also had to write a black belt thesis paper. Heather got to read Liv's to the folks in the room. If you would like to read it, I included it at the bottom of this post.

Finally, after all that hard work (that day and the previous eight years), the reward came!

More pictures here.

Video Playlist (click the upper left corner (where it says playlist) to pick which video you want to watch):

Congratulations, Livvi (Miss Shaut)! We are so proud of you!

Her thesis paper:

Over the rainbow, by Liv Shaut

I believe there is treasure at the end of the rainbow. After following through the many colors of gold, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, and red, I have found my reward. It all started with the white light that refracted into an array of color, the white belt that never gave up.

I remember the first time I saw Master Strickland eight years ago. He greeted me with a smile and a “Well, hello!” I’m sure you’re not surprised. I sure felt like something special when I got a gold tip on my belt after my first class. As I continued to advance in martial arts, I began to like it more and more. Somehow, I knew it held my future. Eight years later, it has proven correct.

I know for a fact I wouldn’t be who I am now without the help of my family and martial arts. Through my parents and martial arts, God has made me disciplined, determined, perseverant, confident, respectful, and many other things. The average person probably doesn’t know the significance of these things, especially in martial arts. At a loss of even one of these necessities, a black belt isn’t whole. It’s the same with teaching, a journey I have recently begun. Besides the five tenants previously listed, patience, focus, and health tie in to being a great instructor and black belt. Without one, you lose the whole. It’s like apple pie. Without the apples, what’s the point? It may be good without them, but not great.

Besides martial arts, I think I have a future in acting, poetry, and/or photography. The tenant pie I mentioned earlier is required for these as well. In acting, I must be confident to go up on stage, and perseverant if I don’t get a part. In poetry, I have to be focused and determined to finish my writing. Patience would be a nice word for photography. One needs to hold the camera steady and must wait for the right moment to click. In addition to these, I hope to someday start an orphanage. Good character is needed for this as well. Everyone’s future depends on their attitude.

I’ll admit I’m not fully confident in myself. Now, as I write, my nerves are taking control. I would like to thank everyone who has confidence in me, even when I don’t think I can do it. Their confidence gives me determination and bravery, which turns into confidence, which turns into a great achievement.

• Mom and Dad, I’d like to give you my vast and exceeding thanks, for without your enormous encouragement, money (and gasoline), I wouldn't be where I am today.
• Johnston family, I hand you my appreciation for your encouragement and kindness. Ryan for putting up with my family when you are at my house when we are practicing.
• Josephine, little sis, thanks for starting martial arts. It has encouraged me to be a better role model for you. I try to amount to what I should.
• Mrs. Davis, your optimism, smile, and teaching have done me a great deal. I am much obliged.
• Mr. Davis, thank you for assisting me with my bo staff and for the rest of your help.
• Mr, Greve, thank you for your wonderful help with the board breaking event, which got me an experience of a lifetime.
• Mr. Hadsell, thanks for introducing me to the bo and the demo team. It has become a huge part of my life.
• Mr. Koopman, thanks for all of your help and for calling me “Pink”. Was it because of my sparring helmet or because I rock?
• Mr. Wocher, thanks for giving me that extra help a few years back and for your encouragement.
• Teeyon Grote, if you hadn’t started martial arts, I wouldn’t be here today. Thank you so much!
• Lastly, of course Master Strickland: I am eternally grateful for everything you have done for me. From day one, you have given me encouragement, strength, confidence, and love.
• Everyone else in my life, thank you! Everyone has helped me get here. I am confident because you all are confident in me.
• Someone I have not thanked yet is God. He has given me the heartfelt desire and the opportunity to do Tae Kwon Do. He deserves all the credit for today, and my whole martial arts voyage. Thank you, God! You are amazing!

As a black belt, I plan to encourage, teach, and learn with others. I am considering this journey as a number line. From before I started through red belt, I have been in the negative numbers. As I progress up, I get closer to zero, the beginning. The further I go, the higher and better I get, and as I help others, I help myself become more black-belt-like. Today I have reached zero. As I push those ahead of me, I pull those behind me.

The white light that refracted has now been absorbed and turned black. But, the black was made from white, like any other black belt. I will spread seeds to help other martial artists. The five year old seed has sprouted, budded, and today bloomed. I love to see little seedlings come into this room, so enthusiastic to learn and to grow, even when they are older than me. I will encourage them, so one day they will bloom beautifully. I have made it over the rainbow.