Reported by Arianna: Maya Earns Her Red Belt

On October 29 Maya Yoakum, age 10, tested for her red belt in Tae Kwon Do. Many of her family members gathered in the II Dragons Martial Arts school to watch the event.

Earlier that day, Maya and her sister Arianna ran through the material that would be required that evening. As she watched her sister practice, Arianna noted that Maya did not appear to be nervous nor excited. Rather, it was with a steadfast determination that Maya made final preparations for her test. "I worked," said Maya simply."I practiced building the movements in my head because it makes them easier to remember."

That evening, when the Yoakum family arrived at the school, instructor Derrick Howell , who would be presiding over the test, offered words of encouragement to Maya. "You were built for this moment," he declared. Family members also expressed words of encouragement and confidence.

The first part of the test was Basics. These are the individual movements that make up all the other aspects of the art of Tae Kwon Do. Maya had been learning and practicing these Basics for over four years.

Second were forms. Forms are progressively intricate routines made from the Basics. Each of Maya's forms consisted of between 19 and 35 movements. Recalling this part of the test Maya's father Shane said, "I was very impressed." In the past Maya's forms were a little lackadaisical in execution but she had definitely worked through that phase of her development! Each movement was performed with exactness. This determined little martial artist demonstrated nine forms that evening totaling a incredible 203 movements! The expressions on her family's faces on completion of the final form showed just how very proud they all were of her.

Following forms were 1-steps. These were combinations consisting of a block and a series of strikes. Maya was required to come up with 40 of these combinations for her test. "I like take-down 1-steps" Maya said, "I like them because they put me in the dominant position."

Fourth were self-defense techniques. This is an extremely important part in the training of a martial artist and Maya needed to know 30 defense techniques for things form hair grabs to headlocks and ground defense. These involved many kicks and were demonstrated with efficiency.

The last part of the test was sparring. Maya and her sisters strapped on protective padding and put in mouth guards. First was a two minute round where she was to fend off a opponent as well as play the offensive role. Next was a one minute round of two-on-one sparring. With both sisters in the ring, Maya was forced to dodge blows from two opponents instead of just one. One of the family members who attended was Maya's four year old cousin Alice. She simply could not figure what was going on and repeatedly asked her mother: "Why are they fighting?" Finally, a look a recognition spread across her face and she said: "Oh... they're training!"

Everyone was very impressed by the performance of young Maya Yoakum and are confident that she will make an outstanding black belt in the years to come.