My 2nd Degree Black Belt:

My name is Jake Kornack, and at 10 years of age, my life was yet to be changed forever. I was a lover of action movies at a young age, and this love created my dream. My dream was to become a black belt. I saw several action movies that inspired me to attempt the crazy fight moves I watched on a regular basis that pumped me with adrenaline. I enrolled at Team Karate Centers in the Juniors class. I started loving karate. After a few months, I didnt go to karate for the sole purpose of learning the crazy moves I had watched. I went to have fun, be challenged, and, most importantly, to learn. As I was taught, I looked up to my teachers. After about a year, I realized I wanted to give other people the feeling I was having at karate that was changing my life. At 11 years of age, I had a dream as big as a 25-year-old. I kept dreaming that one day I would teach at Team Karate Centers.
Three years later my goal was reached, and I became the man I pictured to be so many years earlier when sitting on the benches of the studio dreaming. . In 2008, I walked the candle-lit path and had a black belt tied around my waist. Just one year later, I was given the amazing opportunity to test for my second degree and finally accomplish my goal and become an instructor at TKC. I took the opportunity and worked extraordinarily hard. So here I am today; today I will test for my second degree. It is one more step on the mighty ladder of goals that I will accomplish. My journey has been life changing, and my steps toward this goal have brought me closer to the people on my team and have helped me become the person I want to be.
I feel forever indebted to Mr. Fariborz for opening my eyes and changing the way I think about life while giving me the workout of a lifetime. Thank you. To my family and friends, thank you so much for being there for me and helping me along this journey. To my family at TKC, thank you for helping me be the person I am today.

My 1st Degree Black Belt:

My name is Jake Kornack. When I was about ten years old, I began taking lessons at Team Karate Centers. I liked the karate classes a lot, but my martial arts journey didnt really begin until I enrolled in SWAT, a program that teaches how to teach. When I participated in SWAT, Mr. Fariborz expanded my mental horizon, and I began to appreciate what an amazing place TKC is. I passed SWAT and started assisting in classes right away. It was very rewarding to teach the kids and watch them progress.
For four years, I have worked toward the goal that I will finally achieve today. Today, my dream of becoming a Black Belt becomes a reality. I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people on my journey, learn from some of the greatest martial artists in the world, and discover new limits of what I thought I could do. To become a Black Belt, I have been challenged both physically and mentally. By meeting those challenges, I have become a better person. I am grateful to everyone at TKC for helping me on my journey to becoming a Black Belt and giving me a place where I can be challenged in a safe environment. I am also very grateful for my family and friends who have supported me along the way.

My Red and Black (Qualification) Belt:

My Red Belt:

My Brown Belt:

My Blue Belt:

My Green Belt:

My Yellow Belt:

My Orange Belt:

My Mission Statement

I will try my best at anything that can improve me. I will be honest even if it means losing something. I will not give up just because something is difficult. I will look for the best in every situation and try to improve the bad part. I will try my best. I will do my best to be an involved, working, purposeful member of society.

My Essays

My initial interest in karate sparked the first time I saw an action movie. Years ago, I saw several action movies that inspired me. I wondered how I could learn these amazing fast moves, spins, punches and kicks. I found my answer by enrolling in karate. First, I joined a small karate place down the street from my house. They didnt keep me interested, and they didnt challenge me. This karate experience didnt feed my mind or give me what I needed, and I quit after about one week. I still had a need to become a karate expert.
A few weeks later, Nikki Watkinson, the owner of Nikkis Gymnastics, recommended Team Karate Centers. One night, I went over to Team Karate Centers to check it out. I saw a black belt class. From that point on, I knew I wanted to become a black belt just like the kids in that class. I enrolled in karate into the Juniors class. I started loving karate, and now I didnt go because I wanted to do those crazy moves I had seen in the movies, I went to have fun, be challenged, and, most importantly, to learn. Ms. Erin, Mr. AJ, and Mr. Ash taught me for about a year when I realized I had a new challenge. I wanted to become a teacher of karate. Watching Ms. Erin, Mr. Ash and Mr. AJ inspired me. They werent just teaching karate, they were teaching the kids skills they would use for a lifetime. They were teaching the kids discipline. Ms Erin, Mr. Ash and Mr. AJ were challenging the kids in a controlled environment. Now I didnt just need a black belt, I needed to be a teacher.
At 11 years of age with a dream as big as a 25-year-old, I kept dreaming that one day I would teach at Team Karate Centers. I switched to the Teens class at karate. My fist day in the Teens class scared me. I was the smallest of the group. This meant I had an even bigger challenge. I needed to be as good as the other people in my class. I worked really hard and caught up with the Teen Curriculum after about a year as a blue belt. It was then when I got the letter asking me if I wanted to go through SWAT, a class which would teach me how to teach. I participated. At that point I started making some more friends at Team Karate Centers. I started assisting classes. I loved every minute of it. It was then when I moved from my two hours of karate a week to about three hours and 45 minutes a week. My schedule was to go to school, come home, go to karate, do homework, and practice karate. After weeks of SWAT classes, I took a test and passed it. I was now an assistant teacher. My karate went from 3 hours and 15 minutes to about 4 hours and 45 minutes a week.
I learned so much in SWAT that I took it again and learned even more. What I learned in SWAT doesnt just apply to karate, it applies to life itself. Because of SWAT, I know I will be more successful in life. I love the challenge of teaching the kids. I love teaching kids something that will influence their lives in such a big way. I will always love teaching because I love sharing my knowledge with another eager mind.
Now, I do even more karate. Going to karate isnt just going somewhere. Team Karate Centers is my second home. I continue to learn even more at Team Karate Centers. I love karate and the challenges it brings me. I want my black belt because that has been my ultimate goal. I want my black belt because it isnt just a belt, it represents my journey, my hard work. So here I am, sitting at my desk writing this essay. My body is a bundle of nerves because I know this Sunday my entire journey comes down to one day of karate The Qualification. I have worked harder than I could have ever imagined and I have gone from a little boy huddled around a television watching an action movie to an assistant teacher and a man full of knowledge, discipline, and a drive for karate.

By setting goals for myself, I continually progress. As I received my black belt, I set a new goal: to earn my 2nd degree, which is the natural next step in my journey. My passion for the martial arts has pushed me one step at a time, bringing me closer to black belt excellence.
I have known for a long time that I wanted to share the experiences I have had at TKC with other students by teaching. The first time I stepped onto the mat as a SWAT graduate to teach, I was filled with anxiety, knowing that my skills were about to be tested at a new level. When I was given a few students to teach, the experience was far more than I had anticipated. I felt at home on the mat. I love teaching and never get tired of watching a student learn and improve. It is because of my progress and my experience teaching others that I want to test for second degree. It is going to be another huge mental test for me, and I am ready.
The black belt test was the most emotional and greatest experience of my life. Yet, what I had heard before the test is true: it was just the beginning. I have worked hard and learned the curriculum for second degree, and I feel it is time to take that next step to fulfill my goal.

Second Degree represents not only what I have learned but also my opportunity to teach. It represents how far I have come since the first time I stepped onto the mat as a SWAT graduate. I have progressed, not only in my knowledge of martial arts, but in my ability to teach, as well. It represents for me that I have just started to climb the mighty ladder of knowledge and that I have so much more to learn about teaching and the martial arts. A second degree is a stripe that represents an enormous amount of passion, commitment, and hard work.

My Letters of Recommendations

To whom it may concern:
It is with great enthusiasm that we write this letter of recommendation for our son, Jake Kornack, as he pursues his black belt in karate.
While we have always been extraordinarily proud of Jake, the hard work and dedication he has exhibited as he endeavors to become a black belt have been genuinely remarkable. Jake is the youngest of our three children; yet, the person who Jake has become during this challenge sometimes makes us wonder if hes not the most mature of our children.
Obtaining ones black belt is clearly a daunting task and one that will require Jakes full mental and physical commitment. Without hesitation, we can attest to the fact that Jake is more than ready to meet this challenge, to succeed and go far beyond it.
Sincerely,
Russ & Julie Kornack

To Whom It May Concern:
As a sixth grade teacher at Hale Middle school, I have had the pleasure of knowing Jake Kornack last year. He has been a tremendous student and an asset to our school. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend Jake for good character and strong work ethic.
I feel confident that Jake will continue to succeed in his studies. He is a dedicated student and thus far his grades have been exemplary. In class, he has proven to be a take-charge person who is able to successfully develop plans and implement them.
Jake has successfully demonstrated leadership ability and has been a great help to other students in my class. He always has a pleasant and encouraging attitude. It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendations for Jake without reservation. His drive and abilities will truly be an asset to your organization. If you have any questions regarding this recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Ms. Terry Won

To Whom It may Concern,
I am pleased to find out that Jake is doing well in his studies of Karate. . Jake stands out because I could immediately think of real, non generic, attributes about Jake despite the fact that he was in my class two years ago. First of all, Jake has a drive to be successful. I was able to pick this enthusiasm up during my first introduction to him. In fact, it was Jake that led his team at Welby Way Elementary School to be the top school in the entire LAUSD in a mock investing contest.
He has the spirit that I am sure will make him very successful in his studies of the Martial Arts and whatever he puts his mind too. I wish Jake the best of luck in his endeavors and fully recommend him based on his strong morale character.
Jody Weissler
Former Teacher of Jake Kornack
CEO of Teachtopia.com Education Network

To whom it concerns,
Jake Kornack was in my class for his first and second grade years. As a young student, he consistently demonstrated perseverance in his studies and empathy for his classmates and others. Whenever a new concept was introduced, he was attentive and asked probing questions to help all of us understand the material better. During our studies of heroes, like Martin Luther King, Jr., he applied the lessons we learned about character to our classroom interpersonal interactions, monitoring his own behavior and helping others to solve disagreements. His strong sense of fairness is matched only by his insightful sense of humor.
I count myself lucky to have remained close friends with Jake"s family, and have, therefore, had the opportunity to follow Jake"s development. He continues to grow academically. I understand that his grades in middle school are stellar. Whenever I speak with Jake, he friendly and polite. I am certain that Jake will make the world a better place as he grows into the fine young man he is certain to become.
Regarding his upcoming karate promotion, I strongly endorse Jake"s fine character and attest to his outstanding academic achievements.
Sincerely,
Theresa Gale
National Board Certified Teacher
Welby Way Elementary School

I am pleased to be writing this letter of recommendation for Jake. Jake was a student of mine a few years back in one of my academic roles as a 5th grade teacher at Welby Way Elementary School. Jake is the youngest of three children and I was well acquainted with the Kornack family prior to having Jake as a student. Of the many reference letters I have been called to write, Jake immediately stands out because I could immediately think of real, non generic, attributes about him. First of all, Jake has the drive to be successful and be a great adult. Jake had a fascination with entrepreneurship, adored technology, and took pride in being respectful to his teacher. I was able to pick up on his enthusiasm and serious attitude towards his studies during his first few weeks of my class. Whenever I was doing instruction, he was looking right ahead and ready. He was focused, and ready to contribute when called upon. I also want to point out that I specifically remember Jake"s above and beyond research in his Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Car/Research Assignment. Jake is bright and committed. I wish the best of luck in all of his endeavors and fully recommend him for any advancement and or certification that he is applying.
In the years post Welby, Jake"s commitment to Karate does not surprise me. I could imagine that he has been an incredible student to work with.
Feel free to contact me regarding Jake at jody@teachtopia.com.
Jody Weissler
Welby Way Elementary School
Cal State University, Northridge

To whom it may concern:
With great enthusiasm and confidence, I recommend Jake Kornack as a candidate for second degree black belt.
Jake has worked tirelessly since earning his black belt last September. That defining achievement fueled his passion to get to the next level in his martial arts journey. He has grown physically, mentally and spiritually as he asks questions, finds answers, tests his resolve and achieves his goals along the way.
I admire his passion and his will power and know that attaining his second degree will further cultivate his passion for and dedication to martial arts and the people who share his vision.
Sincerely,
Julie Kornack

To whom it may concern:
Since Jake Kornack"s first day of karate at TKC, I have noticed an ever-growing passion and determination emerge.
Not only has Jake demonstrated his devotion to the art in the studio, but has shown the learned maturity and devotion in his everyday life.
Before I left for college, Jake told me he would call me every Sunday because he knew it was important to keep in touch.
He never missed a single Sunday.
As his brother, I know very well that Jake has a unique spark in him- a inner strength and natural talent that he has learned to direct towards karate.
It is with the utmost certainty that I recommend my brother, Jake Kornack, for the second degree black-belt.
Sincerely,
Kyle Kornack