October 19, 2011
Mr. and Mrs. Kight,
I have a lot of medical issues and my daughter Amanda had been asking me for over a year if she could join a karate school. With me in and out of the hospital and all my medical bills we didn’t have the time or the finances to let hr join a class. In late 2009 she decided to move to her dad’s house out in California. My son Kitt liked to aggravate his sister about anything and everything she wanted to do. In the summer of 2010 Kitt and I were coming back from one of my many doctor appointments and he brought up taking a karate class. I told him no, that we couldn’t afford the extra cost, and Kitt being Kitt, begged and pleaded and threw a temper tantrum stomping his feet on the floor board of the car and yelling at me that I wasn’t fair to him and I never let him do anything he wanted to do.
And to tell you the truth, I got angry tossed him my phone and told him to find a school in Hillsboro and ask how much it would cost. He called the Unified Tae Kwon Do School and the lady that answered the phone told him that if he came by the school the next Friday he could take a week’s classes for free. I figured “OK” we will go for the week and get this phase over and done with. And honestly I felt guilty about not being able to do this for Amanda.
Turns out the lady who answered the phone was Mrs. Linda, Kight, wife of Master Charles Kight. Mrs. Kight talked to me a little about the hours and days the school was open and a few details about the classes and the school.
After I got my introductory packet I sat down in the parent’s seats to watch Master Kight with his new students. Kitt’s face was brighter and happier in the first 15 minutes of the class than I had seen in months. So I had decided that we would financially figure it out as long as it brightened his face the way it did that day. Towards the end of class Master Kight sat the new students on the floor and talked to them about being healthy and discipline and how practice means everything to a martial artist. At the end of his talk he brought up respect for others, especially their parents. My ears immediately perked up.
After that first day not only was Kitt hooked on Tae Kwon Do but I was hooked on the Kights and what they were teaching my son. It has been over a year since he joined the school and his attitude toward my husband and me has done a 360 change.
He’s polite, respectful, has grades have come up and he has lost weight. The Kights have taught him to be a strong, self assured, and a respectful young man. Not only because he’s really good at it, Tae Kwon Do it is worth every penny!! For everything that Kitt has gotten from this school and everything we as a family have gotten from this school, they are now our extended family.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Kight and the Hillsboro Unified Tae Kwon Do School.
The Seymour/Basye Family
The Reporter-March 2007
The intention of this letter is to serve as a tribute and personal expression of gratitude towards a family owned business in your community, HILLSBORO KARATE SCHOOL located at 125 W. Elm Street, Hillsboro, operated by first generation, Linda and Charles Kight and second generation, Kevin and Krissy Kight.
Master Kevin Kight, 4th Degree Black Belt, his wife Krissy, 1st degree black belt and his father Charles, 2nd Degree Black Belt, all serve as instructors while Kevin’s mother Linda serves as the administrative anchor which keeps daily operations flowing at a steady pace.
The Kights are striving to make sure there’s something for everyone at their establishment. Currently, students between the ages of 6 to 50 something engage in mastering the art of Tae Kwon-Do where age has absolutely no bearing on the ability to perform. A couple of new programs are also on the horizon, Turtle Cadets will cater to 3, 4 & 5yr. olds and a Tai Chi program will focus on women. In addition, the Kights also teach Defensive Driving and Alcohol Awareness for Teens.
There’s a great deal of hard work and dedication that each student must put forth to reach their next goal which may surprise most to learn it’s not all just about the belt. Highly developed skills in self defense are only part of the learning process, not only do students quickly illustrate a sense of self discipline and self confidence as a direct result of this training, they also acquire so much more. The one single word I would think best describes what this particular school has to offer is TRANSFORMATION.
This transformation doesn’t just apply to each student individually, but collectively as a group of people; adults, adolescents and children alike each aiming for the same objective but not necessarily for the same reasons.
My daughter had studied Tae Kwon Do before and found that the instructors’ program lacked something, we just didn’t know exactly what it was and she eventually lost interest and ceased to continue her training. Since she began training with the Kights, we finally realize what the deficiency on the part of the prior instructor was…..absence of a personal and genuine interest in each student’s success.
The Kights’ commitment to their students not only provide essential techniques, their methods of teaching are non-negotiable, a tremendous amount hard work, respect for self and others are required and expected, but it also comes with a great deal of caring, understanding and encouragement at no extra charge. The results produce students who are driven towards excellence, illustrate determination, become self motivated, display confidence and anticipate the next class, the next grading, and the next tournament.
They promote academic excellence through their academic achievement award program. This program has become a huge success and for all the right reasons, each school age student may participate by producing a report card with good grades and are rewarded accordingly with the academic achievement patch, medal or trophy, but the real reward lies within each student and the “I Can” attitude they embrace. Linda Kight also organizes several field trips and parties for their students throughout the year and parents are always welcome to get involved and participate.
These four extraordinary individuals have literally formed an extended family from the students who attend their academy. The Kights help their students generate great pride and crave a passion for performance. Students discover that there’s no goal impossible to reach and they too have the opportunity and ability to follow in the footsteps of their instructors and become positive role models in society. Hillsboro and surrounding areas should be proud and honored to have the Kights as a part of their community and for which the purpose of this letter was intended, to commend the Kights for all their tireless efforts to make a difference in this community.
Linda, Charles, Kevin, & Krissy Kight, I’m sure we speak for all parents and students alike when we say all your efforts undisputable make a significant difference in your community.
For all whose lives you’ve touched and transformed ….We Salute You!
Victoria & Jenifer Simmons
August 2010
At the end of 2009 my middle son, Asher, was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. This is a condition that affects how the brain interprets information it receives through the senses. It also affects someone's balance and coordination. At that time it was recommended that we enroll him in Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Tae Kwon Do. I thought it was a little odd that TKD was included in her recommendations but we decided to enroll him in Hillsboro Unified TKD. He really struggled the first couple of classes, however, Mr. Kight and Timothy were very patient yet firm with him. After only one week of classes, we began to see some changes in his behavior. Before, when he would get frustrated with something he would hit himself in the head. Mr. Kight told him that since he hadn't taught Asher to do that it was not allowed in his school. From then on Asher has no longer done that. Since starting TKD, Asher's balance and coordination have greatly improved. He has to work very hard in and out of class; but he loves it, and his confidence is high. I have been so impressed with how patient Mr. Kight and Mr. Timothy are with him and how they help him do HIS best. Asher always leaves class feeling good about himself and his abilities. After Asher joined I decided to join myself and enroll my 2 other children. I have begun losing weight and am more active now than I have been in 15 years. I am so glad that all my children are learning the tenants of TKD; courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. These are lessons they will take with them throughout the rest of their lives. Thank you, Hillsboro Unified TKD, for all that you have done for my family. The family that kicks together, sticks together!!!
Our son, T, has an extra Y chromosome. As chromosomal variations go, his is a relatively mild one, but it still affects him in so many ways – late talker, low impulse control, poor motor skills, low muscle tone, difficulty with interpersonal relationships with peers. With years of therapy, he has overcome so many hurdles. But because of these issues (and this is what chokes us up as parents), T has terribly low self confidence. He doesn’t think he CAN. He gives up before he tries, because for so long even the simplest tasks have been so difficult for him.
Enter the Kights and Taekwondo. I explained to them my concerns when we, as a family of four, began TKD in the Fall of 2010. They assured me that they were used to dealing with a myriad of kids with different abilities. THEY WERE RIGHT! They have been able to keep motivated T’s very athletic younger sister AND T. Finally, we have found a sport in which we can participate as a family, and both kids think they are the best at it!
Fast forward to last weekend, the first grading. We had to memorize a saying (with big words!), perform two patterns, and break a board – all in front of a huge panel of judges, all the students of TKD, plus a gym half full of onlookers. Guess what – T DID IT!! He was very nervous, but he executed BOTH patterns wonderfully, and broke his board on his first try. And the SMILE on his face when he got a trophy – HIS VERY FIRST TROPHY EVER! – for most improved student. (The poor guy had been so hungry for a trophy that he had even been upset when he didn’t get a trophy like the ladies did for losing the most weight!). After grading, T came home and watched – over and over – the video showing the pattern for the next level. He practiced. He showed his trophy to EVERYONE! He smiled. I think he even purred. The Kights have managed to find that rare balance of making T EARN every honor he receives, but giving him just enough accommodations that he is capable of succeeding.
Thank you, to all the Kights, Mr. Smith, and all the other parents and students who have been so supportive of and encouraging toward our very special child!