By EMMA BARTLETT

“Are you ready to show what you learned?” This was the first question Master Chan of Master Lee’s U.S. Taekwondo asked third and fifth graders at their Taekwondo ceremony at Robertson Elementary School on May 11. For the past four weeks, students have spent their phys-ed sessions learning Taekwondo. The students spent their time not only developing their Taekwondo skills, had teamwork, leadership, discipline and kindness incorporated into each lesson. Phys-ed and health teacher Brianna Brigidi said the instructors (Master Him-Chan, Master Yeon-Sub, Instructor Will and Miss Vada) expressed wanting to help students within the community and taught these classes for free.

Brigidi said during the past four weeks she’s noticed students have gained more confidence – especially the shy and more introverted individuals. She chose grades three and five for several reasons and noted that she wanted to leave fifth graders with a fun elementary school memory since they were third graders when the pandemic first hit.

Students were enthusiastic to demonstrate their Taekwondo skills for parents in the school play yard on May 11. Master Yeon-Sub passed out wooden boards for parents to hold while their children broke them in half with their hand. On Master Him-Chan’s cue, you could hear the sound of the boards splitting.

Third graders involved in the event include Alanna Angolano, James Ballsmith, Oliver Blanchette, Calvin Cerpovicz, McKenzie Chamberlain, Darroch Fairbairn Summers, Olivia Giarnese, Jolene Harris, Mina Hikmat, Isaac Hpau Jan, Blake Lavigne, Cole Maclachlan-Spetrini, Greysen Paille, Jasiel Ribera Carrasco, Keila Rosales Sumala, Lucia Swierk, Ethan Young and Carmella Zambrano.

Fifth grade students involved in the event include Christopher Aiello, Isabella Amaral, Max Andersen, Luigi Ariosto, Jayden Baker, Adrianna Braga, Victoria Brand, Violet Cahoon, Trevor Campbell, Lexi Capuano, Aaron Daggett, Kingston Dandy, Ryan DaSilva, Malcolm Desmarais, Evelynn Dillon, Mikaela Ferraro, Isabella Foster, Ruby Gardner, Vincenzo Gianfrancesco, Joseph Golato, Jai’Lise Gonzalez, Jaxon Keenan, Liam Kennedy, Garrett Kinder, Benjamin Laine, Hannah Lendeche, Yongyi Li, Ariana Maciel, Owen Mahon, Becket Marinelli, Eli Martin, Stephen Matsko, Grayson McCaughey, Jarrius Medina Carlson, Aubrey Meeks-Miranda, Nicole Molina, Diego Montalvo Salgado, Jenna Ngo, Innocent Nijimbere, Saidey O-Brien, Mia Santos, Giulianna Simas, Soleil St. Onge, Jenna Strom, Bruce Thibedeau, Kelly Tran, Raquel Umoh and Asmi Upadhyaya.

Master Lee’s U.S. Taekwondo is located at 1400 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston. For more information about the business, visit https://masterleemartialarts.com/.