Testing for black belt is challenging during the best of times. Testing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, is nearly impossible.
A test for black bet (Dan) rank in the World Tang Soo Do Association involves a physical test in front of a panel of masters, passing a written exam and writing an essay. Doing all of that while wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and enduring the closure of the karate studio requires a level of discipline few people can muster.
Despite all the setbacks and restrictions, four students from Summers Martial Arts in Bellefonte earned their black belt ranks (Cho Dan) and two became second-degree black belts (E Dan) in the fall of 2020 and winter of 2021. All of these students maintained their focus and dedication to their martial art when many would have been disheartened and retreated to the couch and Netflix.
Each time Master Summers wraps a black belt around someone’s waist for the first time, he says “you didn’t earn a black belt, you are a black belt. The level of diligence, focus and the commitment to training changes someone and makes them a better version of themselves.”
These six martial artists include Eric Speight, a high school math teacher; Kelly and Ava Harchak, a mother and daughter; Grace Burpo, an Army and Gulf War veteran; Jerry Kolbe, communication technology director at Murata Electronics, and, Andrew Marchione, a differently abled young man who worked 10 years to wear that belt.
Andrew’s mother, Eva, said “we were fortunate to be able to attend the testing in person and to say it was demanding would be an understatement. Andrew pushed through his physical exhaustion … and we were amazed at his concentration and (determination) throughout the grueling testing.”
