GMHS Lasso Online News Story

Student Spotlight
Fists Fast as Lightning

By Rebecca Gomez (May 2, 2007)

There are a lot of stereotypes about martial arts, but according to senior Michelle Massie, who has just received her black belt in Tang Soo Do, most of them are untrue. Unlike the movies, she has never had the opportunity to save a cat from a burning building or to rescue an old lady from an oncoming out-of-control bus with her martial arts magic. She isn’t a “ninja” or a “samurai” and sorry, no, she can’t fly. Don’t be too skeptical, the kicks she learns during class do in fact make her seem to hover in the air just a little longer and go a little farther then seems humanly-possible. The trick is, she reveals, just a matter of leaping up in the air and lifting the foot used to jump off the ground with the rest of you.

Becoming a black belt is no insignificant occurrence; students who undertake the challenge to obtain the highest rank known to the martial arts world go through intense training sessions, long hours, and have extreme dedication that lasts years. The skills they learn help them even in everyday life. “You become so aware of your surroundings, always, all the time. Your reflexes are faster too.” says Michelle. Very few people ever reach this legendary status.

Michelle didn’t aim for her black belt for just any reason, “I saw it as a personal challenge and I was so proud of myself when I finally accomplished it.” Her remarkable achievement hasn’t made her cocky though. If truth be told, she still remains modest and says that not many people know about her hidden talent. “Only my friends know; one of my best friends is in the Tang Soo Do class with me but other than that, no.” Michelle seems content with her anonymity and would never imagine that anyone has guessed that she is a black belt in Tang Soo Do. “We had a cop who came into our class the other day to talk to us about what we can and can’t do legally. The cop said she was surprised and that I really didn’t look like I would be a black belt.”

Black belt recipient Michelle Massie practices with Mason junior and fellow Tang Soo Do learner Michael Camper-Barry, shown here doing a Roundhouse kick.

Michelle has been going to the Falls Church Recreational Center since the 5^th grade to learn Tang Soo Do, a similar art to Tae Kwon Do. When she first began, it was just to appease her parents and to learn some self defense. After studying Tang Soo Do for a while, Michelle grew to love the sport. “I just love the people,” she said.

Michelle still goes to the Rec Center twice a week, once to help teach a class for all levels and once to take a special class specifically for black belts. “I don’t teach a class by myself, but I help teach Monday night classes because to be a black belt, you need to teach, or help teach, a class. I don’t really like it,” Michelle says. Thursday nights are a different story, “Thursday is for black belts only where they focus on more advanced levels and learning how to use weapons. There are about ten of us in my class, and we are a really laidback class and aren’t strict or anything.”

Right now, Michelle is unsure of how she will continue with martial arts. “I was thinking that after I got my black [belt] I could move on and do different styles of fighting like weapons or kick boxing. I’m not sure about the future but I’d love to try anything new.” There are ten degrees of black belt and even fewer complete many degrees. Michelle guesses that it would take about eight years to reach the tenth and final degree. Whatever she chooses, her options seem wide open; Michelle has proven that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to.