More Than a Belt

How martial arts helped Clara build confidence, friendship, and leadership

By Justin Schroer

Like many working parents, John and Stacia Gollihar were looking for a safe, structured place for their daughter Clara to spend her afternoons after school. What they didn’t expect was to discover an activity that would become one of her greatest passions.

Today, eight-year-old Clara Ann Gollihar proudly wears a green belt at Jeff Speakman’s Kenpo 5.0 in Santa Fe. Along the way, she has gained far more than martial arts skills. She has developed confidence, leadership abilities, and friendships that extend far beyond the training floor.

John and Stacia first discovered Kenpo 5.0 through its after-school program. Like many families, they needed a solution that would fit their busy work schedules while providing Clara with a positive environment after the school day ended. The program transports students from school to the training facility, provides homework support, and then transitions into martial arts instruction. “We both work,” John explains. “We needed a safe environment after school for our girls to do something productive, but we found more than just a program.”

For John, there was another reason the opportunity felt special. “I wanted to give my kids something I didn’t have the chance to do when I was growing up,” he says. “We’re a physically active family, and I thought it would help give her confidence in trying new sports and activities.”

At first, Clara was simply looking for something new. Before martial arts, she had participated in ballet. When her parents suggested trying karate, she was willing to give it a chance. “My parents wanted me to try karate,” Clara says. “It looked fun, so I tried it and now I think it’s a lot of fun.” What started as an after-school activity quickly became something she genuinely loved.

One of Clara’s favorite parts of training is preparing for belt tests. Students spend weeks learning new techniques, practicing forms, and demonstrating their skills before advancing to the next level. “I like learning new things I need to learn for my next belt,” she says. “I like testing. We get about a month to prepare, and then I get a chance to show the teachers what we’ve learned.” That preparation teaches an important lesson for children: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Progress comes through practice, patience, and perseverance.

Like many students, Clara experiences nervous moments along the way. She remembers feeling especially anxious before her most recent belt test. “I was nervous getting my new green belt,” she says. The test took place during one of the most memorable events on the Kenpo calendar: Kenpo in the Mountains. Held each summer in the New Mexico wilderness, the three-day camping event combines martial arts training, outdoor adventure, and the organization’s largest belt testing opportunity of the year. Students from various levels gather to train, test, and build friendships in a setting far different from a traditional dojo. Participants spend time outdoors, meet new friends, and strengthen their connections within the martial arts community. For Clara, the experience was unforgettable.

Despite her nerves, she successfully completed the test and earned her green belt in early June. Now she has her sights set on an even bigger challenge: earning her Third Degree Brown Belt. The journey will require patience, dedication, and continued growth, as reaching that level may take a year or longer of consistent training.

Fortunately, Clara enjoys the process. When asked what she likes most about karate, she immediately talks about learning. The challenge of mastering new skills motivates her, and she enjoys working toward each new milestone. The instructors have also played an important role in her experience. “The instructors are really nice,” Clara says. “They teach you in a nice way, and they really like me.”

That supportive environment has helped her develop confidence both on and off the training floor. After class, Clara says she often feels excited about what she’s learned and motivated to continue improving.”I feel excited to learn and confident about getting the next belt,” she says.

Her parents have noticed those changes as well. “She’s more confident and outgoing,” John says. “Friends are always surrounding her. She makes friends easily.” One friendship in particular stands out. Through martial arts, Clara connected with another student from California. Despite the distance, the two have remained friends through their shared interest in Kenpo. “It’s amazing to see the connections she’s made,” John says. “They bonded through a shared skill and a friendship that seems like it will last a long time.”

Perhaps even more rewarding for John and Stacia is watching Clara begin to take on leadership roles within the program. As she progressed through the ranks, one of her biggest goals was earning her green belt so she could stand at the front of her Level 3 class and demonstrate techniques for younger students to follow.

According to Stacia, that opportunity meant a great deal to Clara. “Clara was really excited to earn her beginning green belt so that she could stand at the front of her Level 3 class and demonstrate techniques to the kids behind her,” Stacia says. “She feels a lot of responsibility. She says she needs to demonstrate perfection now that she is there.”

While Clara still enjoys the spotlight, Stacia says the experience has helped her understand an important lesson about leadership. “She is still excited to do it, but now she also sees that the leadership role has a lot of responsibility.”

For John and Stacia, moments like these reveal how much Clara has grown since joining the program. What began as an after-school activity has become an opportunity to develop skills that extend well beyond martial arts. By helping younger students, Clara is learning that leadership isn’t just about being first; it’s about setting a positive example for others. Clara recognizes some of those benefits herself. “It helps me defend myself if I’m ever in trouble,” she says. “It also helps me become better at sports I’ve done in the past.”

As families prepare for another school year, many parents are searching for activities that help children build confidence and resilience while having fun. For the Gollihar family, martial arts has done exactly that. What began as a practical after-school solution became an opportunity for growth, friendship, and personal achievement. And while earning belts remains exciting, the lessons Clara is learning along the way may prove even more valuable.

When asked what she would tell a friend who is nervous about trying karate, her answer is simple and encouraging. “The teachers are nice, and they help you learn the stuff for your first belt,” she says. “At the first level you don’t have to fight people.”

It’s the kind of advice that reflects the confidence she has gained throughout her journey. With a new school year ahead and her sights set on earning her Third Degree Brown Belt, Clara is already looking toward her next challenge. If her journey so far is any indication, she’s ready for it.