By Madeleine Ostertag
From
football in the fall to tennis in the spring, sports are a staple at Darien
High School. However, many of our athletes can be found off of the rosters of
your traditional sports team. We sat down with senior Paige Adams, who has been
practicing Kempo Karate for almost four years to find out more.
N; What do you
like most about Martial Arts?
PA: I think what I like most about doing a
Martial Art is the practicality of it. Sure, quite a few of the moves are
decorative, but a lot of the basic principles are very useful reflexes to have.
I love the confidence I have too— knowing that I can defend myself is really
empowering.
N: What is your biggest achievement as a
martial artist?
PA: Hands down, my biggest achievement is my
black belt. I received my first degree black belt on January 18th of this year.
It's pretty much what martial artists work for since they begin training— it's
like the physical representation of all of your accomplishment and hard work.
The test was several hours long of the most grueling physical exercise I've
ever done in my life paired with a lot of bruising, but the feeling was
honestly amazing.
N: Do you see yourself continuing to
practice Martial Arts through college?
PA: In terms of continuing Martial Arts at
college and beyond, I'd love to keep coming back. I've basically spent almost
the last four years of my life with like this second family, learning new
things that I'm capable of every time I go in that I never would have imagined
myself doing. Even now, I've had to take a few weeks off to rehearse for the
DHS Spring musical, and it feels really weird not going in and practicing and
seeing everyone. I'm not sure logistically how my training is going to look
post-graduation, but I think I'll find a way, because I'm not quite sure who
I'd be without it, honestly.
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