Wellman taekwondo students participate in first competition

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 11/16/22

Kids are learning more than self defense in the taekwondo classes held at the Wellman Parkside YMCA.  

Abbie Nason’s students are learning about discipline as well.  

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Wellman taekwondo students participate in first competition

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Kids are learning more than self defense in the taekwondo classes held at the Wellman Parkside YMCA.  

Abbie Nason’s students are learning about discipline as well. 

“We not only focus on fighting and techniques like that, but we also focus on being a good person in general,” explained the 19-year old taekwondo instructor. 

“We have our five tenets of taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, and indomitable spirit. And all of those combined help our students. They have to memorize the meanings and apply them to their life.” 

Her students are also expected to follow certain rules even after they leave class.

“Respecting your parents is one of our home rules,” Nason said. “Cleaning up after yourself is another rule. So they have to go by that, and if they don’t, their parents will tell us and we’ll find the perfect disciplinary action.”

Before testing for a higher belt, a student’s parents will answer questions about their conduct at home. A belt can be taken away due to violations, and must be earned back by the student. 

The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the gym at the Parkside YMCA. Each class starts at 6 p.m. and lasts one hour. 

“I think they’re progressing pretty well,” Nason said. “Each one of my students learns in a different way, but they all learn quickly. So it’s kind of fun to see their progression through the years. 

“This current group is extremely fun to teach. They always make it interesting in some way or another and I have a lot of fun teaching them.”

Three of Nason’s students traveled to their first competition on October 21 in Clinton. Michelle Hoffman, Andrew McClennan and Stephen Schulty brought back medals from the competition in two categories. 

Hoffman said that she is happy to be learning self defense, and had been practicing for two or three months before the competition. 

“It was pretty good, “ she said. “I wasn’t that nervous, actually. Because I’ve been in plays.”

“My favorite part of learning is basically everything,” said third grader Stephen Schulty. 

Schulty said that he did his best in Clinton. 

“It was in a competition, so we had to give it everything we got,” he explained. “Because if we didn’t, it would have just been a waste of money from our parents.”

McClennan said that his favorite thing about the taekwondo classes is getting a new belt. 

“And what I like about taekwondo is the board break, forms, and how you get taped to get better,” he said. McClennan said that Nason is a very helpful instructor.

“She helps us with memorizing forms and kicking combinations, how to tie our belt… basically everything,” he said. 

Nason said that COVID kept her students from participating in competitions prior to October 21, but the first one went well. 

“I would say they all got a pretty good experience,” she said. “And they all had fun. So that’s what counts.”