Luke Kiefer:

12-year-old Luke Kiefer is a native Angelino finishing up the 6th grade at Notre Dame Academy. Besides Tae Soo Do, his hobbies include playing soccer and basketball, reading, chess, and playing video games. He also likes to "read thick books about action and adventure. Titles include Eragon, Eldest, Pendragon, and A Series of Unfortunate Events." Luke first heard about Tae Soo Do from a preschool friend, David Gasster, who is a former student at WCHRDA. Luke says that TSD has given him "determination, strength, and a sense of wanting to achieve high standards." Moreover, he feels he has become physically and mentally strong. Tae Soo Do practice has made him strive for improvement in all areas of his life, and he has met new friends. Luke intends to continue Hwa Rang Do training and hopes to earn his Black Sash some day. He also intends to enroll in college and train in medicine to become a surgeon.

Larry Pershing:

Luke's friend Larry Pershing is also a 12-year-old attending Notre Dame Academy. In fact the pair has known each other since first grade. Besides academics, Larry enjoys playing video games, football, and basketball. In fact he has signed up to play school football next year. Our Tae Soo Do black belt class this summer features two young friends and two adults. Together they have put forth an effort into the Tae Soo Do Black Belt testing cycle that is second to none in intensity and maturity. According to Larry it was he who first wanted to learn a martial art, but as noted, it was Luke who found the dojang. He says that Tae Soo Do has made him more coordinated and has given him confidence, as well as something to do with his spare time. He's also gained strength from his practice, and "a whole lot of friends." He also plans to continue his training towards the Hwa Rang Do Black Sash. 

Rodrigo Ochoa:

35-year-old Rodrigo Ochoa hails from Oxnard, California originally, and he currently works for Excel Paving Co. as a General Contractor and Project Manager, where he's been in the business for approx. 5.5 years.  Prior to that he lived and worked in the state of Idaho at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) under contract with Bechtel BBWX, in the Civil/Structural Engineering Department. He attended Cal State University of Northridge and graduated in 1996. He looks forward to obtaining his engineering license in the near future, having tested for it in April, so that he can return to the field of engineering as his vocation. He's also looking into obtaining an MBA degree. When he is not at work or at the dojang he entertains himself with various sports and pursuits, including basketball, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and dancing. OK, we look forward to him lighting up the floor for us at the graduation party! Because he began working on a West LA construction project in 2003 that happened to be located 15 min from the dojang, he tried the free class and eagerly signed up. Since starting, Rodrigo maintains that Tae Soo Do has taught him humility. It has also reinforced his belief that nothing comes easy in life without hard work.

Anne Fiser: