“...losing Taekwondo would
mean losing a key part of
my individuality. I have
been doing it for so long
and have such a great love
for it that I can no longer
envision my life without it.”
and showing off her moves in competition,
Mary still manages to take the time to make
a difference in the lives of others. In the past
three years, Mary was selected to mentor
new students at the Alabama School of Fine
Arts, and she is also a member of the Heritage Panel, a two day YWCA program that
gives students the opportunity to explore the
issues of heritage, culture, and discriminawhen she has done something well by using tion in their community.
visual representations and even helps her
With her Taekwondo expertise, love of
learn to make rational decisions under pres- English and creative writing in school, and
sure.
her willingness to give back to her city, it is
Even after attending school, instructing safe to say that Mary is one exceptional teen
Taekwondo at Impact Martial Arts in Pelham, that Birmingham is proud to call its own.
-21-
Photos by KANESHIA SIMS