How our school started

When our daughter was 5 yrs old, we wanted her to be involved in some kind of physical activity. We had not found anything that highly excited her so we suggested martial arts. When she said that it was a sport only for boys, we were completely stunned. After my raised hair fell back into place and my eyeballs popped back in their sockets we enrolled in her Taekwondo for a month so she could try it and see for herself that this was not a gender limited activity. She had the option to leave it at the end of the month but was hooked by the end of the first week.

After years of much perseverance, fun and dedication she earned her Black Belt. We promised to grant her a special wish for her success (thinking she would ask for a TV in her room, a phone, or a pony) we were surprised, and frankly to my disappointment, she asked that I join her in Taekwondo. The fact that I was not athletic nor coordinated, and being overweight, I felt I could not possibly be in Taekwondo. Yet a promise had been made so I reluctantly enrolled. We soon were training not only in Helena, but were traveling to Texas for more advanced material. When the Helena school closed down we were fortunate enough to continue our education in Houston, TX under Master Battenberg and Mr. Battenberg who have trained many world champions. We soon were setting our goals not only to become a Black Belt family, but to open our own ATA school as well.

This sport has involved the whole family in many ways and has become a very much loved venture. I am so proud to stand next to my teen daughter and my coach husband and look at the positive things Taekwondo has brought into our personal life and that of our community. We hope that this short history gives you an insight of our beginnings and that you join us in becoming part of our ever growing ATA family.