St. Thomas senior Shalyn Nguyen is a force to be reckoned with. Nguyen started a Taekwondo Club at St. Thomas after just two years of training.

“It focuses your mind; it focuses your body, and it focuses your spirit,” Nguyen said.

Instructor and second-degree black belt Stephanie Wright said that the taekwondo she teaches isn’t easy.

“They can actually take the things they learn in here and use them and use that to protect themselves,” Wright said.

Students also take the club seriously. With hopes of transforming this club into a university recognized-sport, Nguyen and the fellow taekwondo members strive to prove their dedication.

“We’ve been commuting off campus, working really hard,” Nguyen said. “We’re working actually with the U.S. Olympic coach, so I feel like we’re ready to win state and go to nationals and win.”

Though the 10-member club is toughening up, the students are gaining more than brawn.

“We do have a family aspect,” Nguyen said. “Most people come in, train and leave. Where we come, train and we leave, and we hang out and build a bond. That’s what I really like about our club.”

Freshman and white belt Ben Stuttgen said the club gives him a way to relieve stress.

“There’s a bunch of awesome people that I can count on if I need them, and it’s just great to blow off some steam after a bunch of tough classes,” Stuttgen said. “No matter what’s stressing me out, I can just come here and kick things.”

Katherine Curtis can be reached at curt1354@stthomas.edu.