(Denise, Stephen and Chloe)

We have been training for over 5 years. It was Chloe who encouraged me to join and Stephen joined a week after me. Chloe was 9 when I joined. I think it gave her a sense of responsibility and good self-worth when I would turn to her for advice and assistance. I would have quit long ago except that I felt that I had to set a good example for Chloe and not run away from something difficult. Also, I would like to mention how much it meant to me when Chloe was my partner for testing at headquarters. I was having difficulties with the shoulder throw and she told me to just go for it and that she could take it, no matter how I threw her. She gave me the confidence to demonstrate a technique that was difficult for me. I was her partner for one of her tests and I had to do an aerial back fall, the one and only time I did it correctly. I was afraid of taking air, but it was Chloe's test and I wanted the technique to look good. I guess for each other we are willing to take risks we wouldn't ordinarily take. -Denise Parga

I find it awesome that my parents are in the same class with me. If they had never joined, my experience at Martial Arts would not have been as fun. Helping my parents and them helping me brings us closer as a family. Since my parents are at work all day and I am at school, training allows us to share experiences we wouldn't otherwise be able to do. -Chloe Ginsburg