Ojai Valley TaeKwonDo Academy

Meet Elijah Smith

Our Student Spotlight is on Elijah Kai Smith. Elijah is an 11 year old, 3nd Degree Level 1 Black Belt with our Academy.  He attends Mira Monte Elementary School and will be starting 6^th grade in the fall, where he will now be responsible for completing homework as well as running a mile once a week.

Elijah started TaeKwonDo in the cub class after watching his older brother, Esai, and hearing about his Father’s positive experience in Martial Arts…both had attained the rank of Black Belt.

Elijah wanted to follow in their footsteps. Esai is now a 3^rd degree Level 3 Black Belt, while Father, Rick, attained the rank of 3^rd degree Level 1 Black Belt. Elijah will be testing for his Level 2 Black Belt next, and notes, with a smile, that he will soon outrank his Father.

Elijah has two pet dachshunds named Ellie and Margarette, and two cats named Oreo and Cookies. Elijah reports that Cookies is very shy, while Oreo is playful, both have recently taken over his bunk bed.

Elijah likes to swim in his pool and tells how his Dad made a solar heater to warm it. He is also taking voice lessons and learning how to play guitar and saxophone.

What are some of Elijah's's favorite things?​

• School Subject - Math, Elijah is proud to have been a part of his school’s Math Superbowl Team.
• Teachers - Ms. Dzukola and Ms. Hughart
• Movies - Elijah likes comedies and recently enjoyed watching the Odd Couple with his Mom.
• Video Game - Ark Survival Evolve, where Elijah has tamed both a T-Rex and a giant crab.
• Destination – Hawaii, where Elijah’s grandparents live. He has never been and is looking forward to scuba diving there one day.
• TV – Sponge Bob, because it’s a classic
• Books – Elijah enjoys biographies like the “Who was…” series.

• Sport– Baseball where Elijah likes to play either shortstop or 2^nd base. He also enjoys shooting hoops with his brother.​

If Elijah could have lunch with anyone, he would pick Stephan Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

If he could be any animal in the jungle, Elijah would pick python because they are fierce enough to eat a whole alligator. He would like to have a snake one day. Speaking of snakes and eating, Elijah tells how his Dad once had a snake that ate a towel and survived.

Elijah's favorite part of Taekwondo class is sparring where he enjoys the challenge of putting the techniques he has learned to practice. He also enjoys the games they play in class

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Elijah’s advice to anyone starting their martial arts journey…work hard and don’t give up, even if you don’t pass a testing, keep trying and do your best.

 

Links To Past Student Spotlights:

Tigran Nahabedian
Bella Welch
Dylin Andrews
Sophia Fitch
Reid Wadsworth
Eileen Peck
Wesley Hopkins
​Mady Fitch
Sam Daley
Junior Miranda