Georgetown News Graphic Article ~ July 9, 2011
Mastering Tae Kwon Do takes stamina, strength and encouragement from family and friends, and three Georgetown brothers have used that formula to earn black belts.
The Benell boys - Colby, 9, Hunter, 9, and Tyler, 10 - started at Davis Tae Kwon Do Academy when they were 5,6,and 7 years old, respectively. They've never looked back. In fact, all three are practicing Ju Jitsu as well and plan to open their own academy one day.
"It's nice having brothers doing the same thing you are, but we try to compete against each other and do better than each other," Hunter said.
Tyler said his younger brothers would try to do as many kicks as he could, but "I would just go right back at them, so there is a lot of competing in between us but we've always been the same rank."
The Benells are part of a trend - they are one of about a dozen families who practice Tae Kwon Do together at the academy.
The family joined the academy to give the brothers more energy in school, and help them defend themselves. However, Ted Benell jokingly admits that the boys were tired because of too much TV and Jackie Chan.
"We sat down as a family and decided if we were going to do martial arts, we were going to take it to the extreme and see how far they go with it," he said. "It gives them more discipline as far as wanting to come to class and respect for elders and other students. You can see the differences in their character."
The three brothers have been taught honor, integrity and how to help others. The test get harder as they advance from belt to belt.
The atmosphere of the studio is inviting to all families, said Tonja Elrod, who started at the academy after her son did. Her husband joined shortly after as well.
"I know I struggle quite a bit with turning 40," she said. "I think there's a part of us that when we get older, we get complacent. At least I can say I've enjoyed it and in each little phase, I have learned discipline and more about myself. I am constantly pushing and motivating myself."
Elrod said the spent practicing strengthens the family bonds.
"It's not only a great way to strengthen yourself, it also strengthens relationships," she said. "You get a chance to laugh with each other. It's like you're talking a friends again. I always feel you are in a better mood when you leave here."
Elrod helped her son gain self-confidence when she won a trophy as big as he was. The lesson was that girls can do the same thing boys can, she said.
Outside of the studio, Tae Kwon Do helps participants with many things, such as their health and the respect they give others.
"It's all about health," said owner Angie Davis. "ADHD and autism, Tae Kwon Do really does help. I feel half the kids do not need to be on the medication they are now - this is structure."
All three Benells are "A" students. And all three are going to be junior trainee instructors, Hunter said.
Tyler was the academy's martial artist of the year in 2010.
They get a lot of compliments from their teachers on how well mannered they are with their peers," said Michelle Benell. "Sometimes they would get frustrated and say, "I don't want to do it, I don't want to go anymore," but the fact they have made the accomplishment and know they are going to follow through is success for them."
