My 1st Degree Black Belt:

Hi I'm Hayden otherwise know as Killer Face. I've come along way since the first time I set foot on the mat at TKC. When I set foot on the mat with my street clothes for my first class I thought, "whoa karate....big deal". I figured anybody could just fight. I thought a fight was just a couple of punches with a winner and a looser. I soon found out karate IS a big deal and so much more than a fight. As I trained in the junior program with Mr. Ash he taught me to defend myself. He taught me how to look professional and helped prepare me for each new belt. He taught me that there's more to karate than just a couple of kicks and punches. He taught me self discipline, how to look at things differently, and changed me as a person. When it was time for the qualification exam and I saw my name on the list I thought, "This is it!" I looked over the ground rules of the black belt exam requirements. When I saw that I could not drink soda and had to write a five to seven page essay I thought "I'm done for." But like always you can never hide from your work and must follow through with it. My training now included teaching from Master Fariborz. I had always thought of Master Fariborz as very strict, serious, talented, and intimidating. He is all those things but I also found out he is an excellent teacher and humerus too. He turned out to be one of my favorite instructors at TKC. He taught me how to be intense and present when I'm on the mat. Because of what he taught me I thought about how I would act if the forms I was doing were a real fight. I then thought about what my expression would be and how I would react and that is when I got my "killer face". I also got to train with Master Sexton. When I took my private lesson with him he told me to do some kicks for him on the bag he was holding up for me. I kicked and was off with my aim and accidentally hit him in the chest. At that moment I thought, "Man, now I'm REALLY done for." But he was nice about it and told me to look before I kick. That was when I learned that Master Sexton is a really nice guy and is one of the best martial artists I have met. And like Master Fariborz always says, "The best train the best." Another high point in my training was at the beach. When I climbed the rock at the beach I thought that I wasn't going to be able to make it up even halfway because the rock was so flat and at a steep angle. I could barely hold on to the rocks with my hands and my feet. But every time I made another reach I was just another step closer to my goal. I realized that the rock was just like my white belt to black belt journey. Every test and every class I took was like another reach forward to my goal. And now that I'm at my last reach and will make it to my goal I realize that there's still rock left to be concurred. When I first came to TKC I thought I knew it all. Now that I'm about to receive my black belt I realize that with all I've learned and how far I've come this is really only a beginning.

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 live my life with humor and a willingness to learn. I will be serious when its appropriate and be self disciplined. I will be the best I can be in everything I do but be humble about my victories. I will lift up others and put others before me. I will be honest and dependable. I will live knowing that I am a follower of Christ and do what is the best for others and me. I will encourage others to copy my good examples and to follow their dreams as well as mine. I will also bring joy and happiness when times are dark and be the person I want to be. I will be involved and participate in whatever situation I feel is appropriate or that is right. I live to answer the questions to life with the knowledge I gain from the people and things that surround me.
I will live my life with humor and a willingness to learn. I will be serious when its appropriate and self disciplined. I will be the best I can be in everything I do but be humble about my victories. I will lift up others and put others before me. I will be honest and dependable. I will live knowing that I am a follower of Christ and do what is the best for others and me. I will encourage others to copy my good examples and to follow their dreams as well as mine. I will also bring joy and happiness when times are dark and be the person I want to be.

My Essays

What a black belt means to me is being the person that I want to be and coming out of my shell totally changed. I have changed so much from when I was a white belt. A couple of examples of this are that I am more active in my daily schedule, and I am more self disciplined. When I was a white belt and I finished my homework I would sit down and watch TV for the rest of the day. As I trained, instead of sitting down in front of the TV I would go to karate classes and be more active. When I become a black belt I can see myself teaching classes and working out in the weight room. There wont be a lot of time for me to sit in front of the TV anymore. When I was a white belt I would usually have to be told, Hayden go sit down and do your homework, by my mom. As I trained I started getting out my homework and began to get it done. As I become a black belt I hope to make my homework neater and more organized.
Being a black belt also means being a fit person. To me being a fit person is eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, and gaining muscles. A good example of this is eating fruits, vegetables, proteins, and not so much junk food. Running a good distance and doing strength training can help benefit me in fitness.
Another thing about being a black belt is setting a good example. Black belts are serious and dont fool around when they have their uniform on because being a black belt is a serious thing to be. When other people want to become a black belt they look at other black belts to see what being a black belt is. If they see black belts fooling around they might think being a black belt is a joke. But if they see them acting serious like a true black belt they will act like them when they are black belts.

When it comes to karate, I am like a soldier. I can take orders without groaning or complaining. An example of this is when Mr. Ash asks us to do 25 push-ups; I dont talk back to him. I am willing to learn and to fight for the challenges that come my way. I am ready to be a black belt.
I have a lot of endurance when it comes to fitness. When I run a mile, I try not to stop even though my muscles ache and I am sweating. I come to class 5 times a week, and come with all of my energy for each class. My attendance is consistent and I only miss classes if I am sick or there is something else I have to attend.
My instructors have praised my efforts. I did some forms for Mr. Fariborz one day. He liked them so much that he came to me after and gave me some frozen yogurt. Another time I was doing a fight scene for Mr. Ash during Team Heats practice. When I was done, Mr. Ash said Now this is why they are on Team Heat! Even now I am constantly improving on the things I have learned at Team Karate Centers. I deserve to be a black belt because it is the next step on my journey. But when I get it I will continue because theres more stuff to learn.

My Letters of Recommendations

Dear Kyoshi:
My son Hayden is thrilled about the opportunity to be considered for Black Belt Candidacy this year. It is my belief that he will make an excellent candidate because he possess the character it takes to rise to such an occasion. First and foremost, Hayden loves his studies in your studio. Hayden has participated in other sports and enjoyed them very much. But he has never displayed the same level of passion for them that he has for his study of martial arts. Passion serves well for both achievement of victories and the drive to carry through failures.
Secondly, Hayden takes his studies seriously. While he has made friends in the studio, at school, and in his church he is quite serious about the reason for attending each. He seriously wants to learn. I see in Hayden a student who is curious, attentive, and growing in his knowledge because of his attitude towards the learning.
Also, Hayden displays stamina. He wants to go the extra mile and doesnt grumble along the way. He actually seems to enjoy pushing himself and takes great pleasure in the results. He doesnt tire quickly.
In addition to his stamina, Hayden is a goal setter. At school he has embraced the training for the Presidential Fitness Award. He has been inquisitive about the requirements, rehearses them, and seeks advice on how to improve. The best part of Haydens goal setting is that when he achieves them he simply sets new ones to outdo the old ones.
Hayden longs for perfection. He does not want to be good enough, he wants to shine. If you raise the bar hell keep reaching for it. It you dont, youll probably find him trying to raise it himself. Hayden wants to be excellent for himself, and for those who teach him.
Finally, Hayden is committed and loyal. Your investment of time and attention to Hayden will not go unnoticed or unappreciated by him. You have a lifelong student who is fiercely protective of what and who he believes to be right or worthy. Hayden is not easily tossed by the waves of popular opinion. He decides what he loves for himself and doesnt mind standing alone in his belief.
Some of the biggest smiles I have ever witnessed on Haydens face have been after instruction by both yourself and Mr. Ash. He has enjoyed the past three years immensely and is thrilled to take the next step. Thank you for your time considering his candidacy.
Respectfully,
Andrea Kollerbohm
Mother

Dear Mr. Fariborz,
My Grandson Hayden Kollerbohm is a candidate for your Black Belt Experience program. You are asking an extraordinary effort from the students. It is achievable, it is hard and I believe, in reading the requirements, that at the end, there will be a growth and confidence in the graduates commensurate with their experience.
If a person can achieve something that is difficult, it can make it easier in the future to endure other, perhaps more challenging experiences that life brings to each individual.
Hayden is a young man who achieves without seeming to know how much he does. It appears effortless for him (because he puts so much hard work in the mastery of his knowledge) yet he is self effacing and modest about his talents, and he does not complain. Hayden rises to the top in challenging situations. He could be the hero, but would avoid the publicity. Under his kind and compassionate demeanor burns a competitiveness and drive that is both admirable and inspiring.
In short, he is your ideal candidate.
I am honored to, and wholeheartedly recommend Hayden for your program. He will make us both proud.
Sincerely,
Michael Barnes