Andrew receiving his Hapkido Orange Belt at age 6.
I’m so proud of my younger brother, Andrew. A few weeks ago, he graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC) with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and then the following weekend, he tested for his 3rd dan black belt in Hapkido and did an absolutely amazing job!
Andrew and I have been training together, along with our mother, since we were kids. It’s been a wonderful bonding experience for the three of us. We all have Hapkido in common and it frequently ends up being the subject of conversation in our household. Sometimes we talk about the positive character traits developed through martial arts such as confidence, respect, and focus. Other times we discuss Hapkido technique theory, history, or philosophy. Perhaps most often, the conversation now turns to our students. How is Jeff doing in class? Did you see that amazing move Maddie did last night? Did you hear about how well Don’s doing in school? I can’t believe how well Tori has been stepping up and becoming a leader and a role model for the younger kids! How can we improve our leadership skills or those of our students? We never have a shortage of common ground to connect on.
Andrew and I have been training together, along with our mother, since we were kids. It’s been a wonderful bonding experience for the three of us. We all have Hapkido in common and it frequently ends up being the subject of conversation in our household. Sometimes we talk about the positive character traits developed through martial arts such as confidence, respect, and focus. Other times we discuss Hapkido technique theory, history, or philosophy. Perhaps most often, the conversation now turns to our students. How is Jeff doing in class? Did you see that amazing move Maddie did last night? Did you hear about how well Don’s doing in school? I can’t believe how well Tori has been stepping up and becoming a leader and a role model for the younger kids! How can we improve our leadership skills or those of our students? We never have a shortage of common ground to connect on.
Andrew at age 13 as a Youth Black Belt.
Eighteen years ago, when Mom and I switched from studying Tae Kwon Do to studying Hapkido, Andrew who’s about 8 years younger than I am, became old enough to start training with us. Like me, he started training when he was only 5 years old in the “Little Ninjas” Program, the predecessor to our current “Little Dragons” Program, and he’s been hooked on martial arts ever since. Over the years, he continued to grow and progress as he moved up to Children’s Class, then Youth Class and, eventually, Adult Class. Andrew reflected following his recent belt test that this was the 22nd belt test he’d had in his martial arts career between earning his Child’s Level Black Belt and his 1st, 2nd, and now 3rd Dan Adult Level Black Belts.
As a young child, Andrew had frequent ear infections, which slowed his linguistic development. The doctors explained that it was like trying to learn to speak while listening underwater. After having tubes implanted in his ears to clear up the issue, Andrew spent 10 years with a speech and language therapist working on improving his speaking and communications skills. Andrew also had a language-based learning disability for which he attended the Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD.
Perhaps it was because Mom and I were always in the dojang teaching classes that Andrew started helping out. Despite his speech and language difficulties and despite not being old enough to earn a full instructor’s position in the school, Andrew stepped up and became a leader in the classroom from a young age. Whether it was encouraging other children, leading small groups, or helping others master their own techniques, Andrew was up to the challenge! When he turned 18, he was awarded a long deserved full instructor’s position and immediately jumped into leading classes.
Starting next month, while continuing his martial arts training and working towards his 4th dan black belt, Andrew will be attending Duke University and working towards his Masters in History Education. As a part of his Masters program, he will also be teaching High School History. He plans to immediately begin working towards his PhD after earning his Masters degree and has set the goal of one day becoming a College Professor. These are lofty goals by any standard but, after years of martial arts training, setting and achieving these long-term goals is no longer the challenge it might have been for him. No one would have ever guessed that Andrew would choose a career involving public speaking when he was a child and struggling with speaking, but between the speech/language therapy and his almost daily public speaking practice at the dojang, he persevered and flourished. Looking at him today, you would never guess that speaking, not to mention public speaking, was ever a challenge for him.
Congratulations, Andrew, for earning your 3rd Dan Black Belt and for graduating from UNC! Your hard work and tenacity are paying off. I’m proud of you, buddy!
Master Jim Bannister
As a young child, Andrew had frequent ear infections, which slowed his linguistic development. The doctors explained that it was like trying to learn to speak while listening underwater. After having tubes implanted in his ears to clear up the issue, Andrew spent 10 years with a speech and language therapist working on improving his speaking and communications skills. Andrew also had a language-based learning disability for which he attended the Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD.
Perhaps it was because Mom and I were always in the dojang teaching classes that Andrew started helping out. Despite his speech and language difficulties and despite not being old enough to earn a full instructor’s position in the school, Andrew stepped up and became a leader in the classroom from a young age. Whether it was encouraging other children, leading small groups, or helping others master their own techniques, Andrew was up to the challenge! When he turned 18, he was awarded a long deserved full instructor’s position and immediately jumped into leading classes.
Starting next month, while continuing his martial arts training and working towards his 4th dan black belt, Andrew will be attending Duke University and working towards his Masters in History Education. As a part of his Masters program, he will also be teaching High School History. He plans to immediately begin working towards his PhD after earning his Masters degree and has set the goal of one day becoming a College Professor. These are lofty goals by any standard but, after years of martial arts training, setting and achieving these long-term goals is no longer the challenge it might have been for him. No one would have ever guessed that Andrew would choose a career involving public speaking when he was a child and struggling with speaking, but between the speech/language therapy and his almost daily public speaking practice at the dojang, he persevered and flourished. Looking at him today, you would never guess that speaking, not to mention public speaking, was ever a challenge for him.
Congratulations, Andrew, for earning your 3rd Dan Black Belt and for graduating from UNC! Your hard work and tenacity are paying off. I’m proud of you, buddy!
Master Jim Bannister
Andrew countering a kicking technique at his 3rd Dan Black Belt Test – May 2012
Andrew doing a Monkey Roll at his 3rd Dan Black Belt Test – May 2012
Andrew executing a throwing technique at his 3rd Dan Black Belt Test – May 2012
Andrew performing a double jumping front kick at his 3rd Dan Black Belt test – May 2012
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