2021 Honorees
Sophia Paciorkowski
“The opportunity to help students build their self-esteem and push themselves beyond self-expectations has been incredible. Personally, I was not born into poverty. I have always had food on the table and actively supportive parents in my life. However,
the appreciation I have for being able to work with these young students is something I value so much more than any of the personal achievements I have made in Taekwondo. As a result, I have worked hard to convey a motivating and crucial message to the kids we teach. This message being that they can be different from the circumstances of their lives. They can choose a better path. I honestly do not know if this message will get through to them. I do not know if they will make it out of the difficult environments they have had to endure. However, if through the years of instruction I am able to make an impact on just one student, every day will have been significant, and every second will have been worthwhile.“
Mason Rivera
“The opportunity to help students build their self-esteem and push themselves beyond self-expectations has been incredible. Personally, I was not born into poverty. I have always had food on the table and actively supportive parents in my life. However,
the appreciation I have for being able to work with these young students is something I value so much more than any of the personal achievements I have made in Taekwondo. As a result, I have worked hard to convey a motivating and crucial message to the kids we teach. This message being that they can be different from the circumstances of their lives. They can choose a better path. I honestly do not know if this message will get through to them. I do not know if they will make it out of the difficult environments they have had to endure. However, if through the years of instruction I am able to make an impact on just one student, every day will have been significant, and every second will have been worthwhile. “
Andrew Milliman
“Not only have I learned the core tenets of Taekwondo and have improved my physical strength, I have also increased my confidence, have become a more outgoing person, and improved my grades in school. My parents are so proud of the man I am becoming; confident, kind, and smart and caring. I am thankful for all the skills and values I have learned at Taekwondo.”
Gerriana Saltzman
“We always talk about working hard and putting 110% into everything you do, and I’ve taken that to heart and applied it to school. I always try my hardest at school and try to help as much as I can as a leader.”