Recently I was asked to write a recommendation letter for one of our previous Tiger Youth Black Belts, Miss Natasha. It was a huge honor and a privilege. Not only did she spend many years growing up here, but she and my oldest also became close friends, graduated Youth Black Belt together, and our families became very close.
As I thought back, my earliest memory of Miss Natasha was after her first test when she would shout our topic of the month, “Optimism!” This powerful word seemed to make a difference in her every move over the years as she climbed towards Black Belt.
If you knew Miss Natasha, then you know she is different. The difference I speak of isn’t the difference you see. If that is all you know, then; you don’t know her at all because what you see isn’t what you get. Over the years, it was a blessing to watch Miss Natasha grow from a little girl who didn’t know her powerful potential to a young lady that could do anything.
Our process to qualify for Black Belt takes years of focus and training. Combining this with the grueling months of pain preparing for the actual exam, and finally, the three-day test itself is enough to scare away most people. Over the last 23 years, we have passed near 40 candidates, and I am proud to say that Miss Natasha is one of these. I am also excited to share that she is in the top 25% of these candidates to continue and complete her internship, mentoring, and leading other youth towards their Black Belt goals.
Miss Natasha has taken optimism to a whole new level by living it with every breath she takes. She is capable of facing any issue head-on with the courage of a lion. Best of all, while gritting her teeth and having her nose to the grindstone, she can detach and help others with the compassion and patience of Mother Theresa.
My confidence is high that Miss Natasha, like many of our Tiger Youth Black Belts, will continue to shine more as time passes with all that life brings her because she has tested her level of commitment, focus, heart, fire, and desire within the four walls of our school.
#HereWeCome2021 #FightTheGoodFight
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