Ms. Sophie Limawan - Community

1st Dan Thesis
By: Sophie Limawan

When I first started doing Taekwondo nearly 4 years ago, the San Ramon studio had just opened. I was one of the first ‘San Ramon’ kids, you could say. In 2016, I was also a 6th grader, new to Windemere Ranch Middle School. As a child, I had never been particularly good at making friends. I had a few close friends, whom I had kept contact with throughout Elementary. However, now that we were at Middle School, I had very little to even no classes with them. I had hoped that perhaps, even if I could keep up daily contact with my previous friends, that I could make new friends. And I did.

But they all were remarkably short lived, a year of close contact before drifting apart yet again. All except the friendships that I made at Jue’s. Now, I can scarcely even imagine a life without Taekwondo, at age 14 and entering 10th grade. Over half of my close friends, I wouldn’t have even known had it not been for these classes. Taekwondo was something that I could connect with other people, something that I had in common with other people. It gave me a sense of pride, that I was a part of a group, that I could talk to other people and not feel so awkward.

There were times, more times than I can recall, that I simply didn’t want to go to Taekwondo because I didn’t want to. I know that I am not the only one who was reluctant to go to classes and I still view it as a wonder that I have been going to this studio for so long despite that. If asked, I would say that my main reason for going to the studio as often as I do was to become a black belt. But now as I am forced to think upon this, I think the real reason why I keep going to Taekwondo is that it has changed me for good.

Jue’s Taekwondo encourages and boosts your ambition but not your jealousy. When we do something wrong, we are not belittled or mocked that we were wrong. Your instructor or your classmates help you understand what you did wrong and help you fix it. Of course the threat of more dallying to everyone if one person does something wrong does help. There isn’t a huge sense of competitiveness here like at other extracurriculars. Instead, there is this sense of belonging.

Like stated, most extracurriculars are very competitive, especially in this community. Even Dougherty Valley, my high school, is extremely competitive so going to Taekwondo, while taking away time from my studies has done wonders for helping me relax this past year. While in the following years, I am certain that I will not have nearly as much time to go to classes as I do now as my stress and workload build up. But the non-competitive environment in the studio has been a refreshing place where I can, for once forget all about

Pythagorean Theorems and Passe Compose and Romeo & Juliet- basically high school in general, and just laugh and train with my friends.

While there is pressure on being perfect, it is not the most important thing in the studio. We all work to accomplish what we think is perfect for ourselves not what others think is perfect. And in today’s world, when people strive to be what society thinks is best, this kind of attitude is just as relaxing as having not to compete with your fellow classmates.

Taekwondo has not only helped me grow stronger mentally but has helped me grow stronger physically as well. In the beginning, I wanted to do Taekwondo to protect myself, to make sure that I wouldn’t -couldn’t- get hurt from anyone. And while there is no certain guarantee that Taekwondo helps with this, I feel more confident in my ability to defend myself rather than just cry for help.

Jue’s Taekwondo has helped me grow as a person, to become more confident mentally and physically. It has pushed me to the absolute limit in all respects, to become a better person of which I could have never even imagined without Jue’s. And for that, I am grateful to my parents for knowing what was best for me even when I didn’t know nor want it and for my friends at the studio who make me smile every time I go.