Xander (age 10) and his younger sister, Amelia (age 6), study Tae Kwon Do at Master Kim’s Mega Kick, cultivating physical strength and confidence through their training in this Korean martial art.

At the 2019 Powell Fest, Xander experienced his first foray into the world of Tae Kwon Do. He signed up for a demonstration lesson, where he met Master Kim, and before long, he was taking classes twice weekly. Nearly five years later, Xander has impressively achieved his black belt and is working toward second-degree black belt status. He hopes to join the leadership team at Master Kim’s, where he will help instruct others during class and compete in competitions.

When Xander began practicing Tae Kwon Do, his mom would bring along his baby sister, Amelia. At two years old, Amelia took an immediate interest in Tae Kwon Do, imitating her brother from the sidelines. Amelia enrolled in the Tiny Lion program as soon as she turned four. Although she is only in kindergarten, she has advanced quickly and is already an orange belt. She dreams of earning her black belt and joining Master Kim’s demo team.

A dynamic pair, Xander and Amelia, enjoy pushing their physical limits by kicking as high as possible and letting out loud “energy yells” while practicing. However, their Tae Kwon Do studies have transcended other parts of their personal development. Their parents, Janine and Jeff, have noticed increased self-esteem and grit for both kids.

Amelia has built confidence among her peers and applies the lessons learned in helping others to her daily life in school. Her kindergarten teacher says she has gone out of her way to help students in her class, from tying others’ shoes to welcoming new students. Likewise, Xander has shown growth in his leadershipabilitiesand self-discipline. Both kids seek out leadership roles in their schools, and Xander is a member of the Safety Patrol.

The Kupko family cherishes their membership in Master Kim’s Mega Kick community. The motivating and energetic Master Kim has a way of warming up the shyest of kids. When facing struggles inside or outside of class, Master Kim and his wife have been known to reach out and encourage their students to push forward.

Their parents also support Amelia and Xander’s Tae Kwon Do studies. Janine and Jeff encourage them to practice at home, get them to class, and cheer them on. Sometimes, they even step in as the demonstration bodies the kids attempt to take down.

Xander and Amelia exemplify the endurance, strength, and commitment needed to master the art of Tae Kwon Do. Through their experience at Master Kim’s Mega Kick, they have honed their physical abilities, discovered a supportive community, and cultivated essential life skills such as discipline, resilience, and compassion. One day, they hope their youngest sister, Alina (age 2) follows them in their journey. Full of passion and perseverance, Amelia and Xander will continue making their parents proud as they strive toward their goals.