The path that led me to Mr. Rouleau has given me a greater appreciation of the school, instructors and students. I earned my black belt in 2000 under the instruction of 9th degree Grand Master Sun Duk Choi in Tempe Arizona. After moving to Keene in 2002 with my wife and three boys I took some time off. I continued to practice on my own but was hesitant to join another school. I honestly did not believe I could replace what I had left behind in Arizona. Three years later I finally called Mr. Rouleau and stopped by the Rec Center to join a class. Because of my layoff and the fact that I had studied a different style of taekwondo, I joined in with the adult class as a student. I considered myself being in great shape at the time and had just completed a mini-triathlon but I am not ashamed to admit I was winded that first class! These guys worked out hard.

After a few weeks my impression had changed. I hadn't known what to expect but I found dedicated and excellent instructors and motivated students. I was impressed by the quality and dedication of all the students. Everyone worked hard every class. Students had respect for their instructors and instructors had respect for the students. Mr. Rouleau, Mr. Perra and the other black belts have always treated me as an equal, made me feel welcome and built my confidence up when I had doubts about my ability to return to the sport. For that I owe them a debt of gratitude.

Taekwondo has changed my life. It has made me a stronger person physically but just as important mentally. As I sometimes say to other students only a few people will see you kick and punch but hundreds, thousands will know you outside of class. Are you a person of honor? Do you carry yourself with pride and dignity? Do you respect others? When things are difficult do you give up or find the inner strength to push through obstacles? Those are some of the things you will learn through taekwondo while you are perfecting your blocks, kicks and punches.

All taekwondo schools are not created equal. Some have a magic, an energy, a force of creation that pushes individuals to become better than they could ever have been on their own. If you want to really learn taekwondo, if you want to take pride in the fact that any belt you achieve is earned and not given, then this is the place to start.

John Kempf