Mr. X

I am Fernando Herrera "Mr.X", 15 years old and I started karate in 1998. I am currently a student in the 9th grade level, however, I am looking for a job somewhere over the summers. My entire family are students here at School of the Tiger. My father and mother are also Black belts, and my sister is a Green belt.

I was promoted through the ranks in both Karate and Jujitsu. I earned my Black belt in 2002, and I am one test away from achieving my Black belt in Jujitsu. The hardest time I had was in the beginning of my training, because I had a hard time staying focused and eventually lost interest in it. However, once I started really getting interested in Karate, it became much more fun.

Through martial arts I have acquired reflexes that I never had before and a calm state of mind. Also I have much more respect for myself. Aside from all of that, I have found people who have become my second family.

Karate impacted my life in such a way that when I was a younger kid, I never had any confidence in myself. But now I feel as if I could be on top of the world, and I credit it entirely to the Martial Arts class.

You know, it is really rewarding to see the results of what you are teaching these students. There is, really, nothing like this.

After my high school graduation, I am planning on going to college and becoming an engineer. I am already taking classes in my school that have proven useful to other graduates in previous years.

An unusual thing about me? Well, lets say that I was born on Friday the 13th, and have been in 5 car accidents and actually been hit by 4 cars.

For fun, I usually hang out with my friends. Sometimes we play basketball, soccer, or just generally hang out. Sometimes at home, I relax with some video games and listen to music.

For the ones who are just starting their journey, I would like to say that no matter what problems you may have on the road of life, never give up. Keep trying, and you can achieve greatness.