Photo byAllen TayloronUnsplash

In the wild and wonderful world of New Hampshire, a land of endless forests, majestic mountains, shimmering lakes, and frosty winters, a group of extraordinary kids known as the "Taekwondo Tornadoes" train in the ancient martial art of Taekwondo. These kids are as diverse as New Hampshire's seasons, each one unique, yet united by their shared passion. The leader of this karate-chopping, high-kicking crew is none other than Tommy 'Twister' Thompson. With a mop of curly hair as wild as the White Mountain National Forest and a spirit as fiery as the sunsets over Lake Winnipesaukee, Twister is as New Hampshire as maple syrup and moose sightings. He can split a stack of boards as easily as splitting logs for a winter fire. He's so quick on his feet, he could outrun a racing chipmunk on Mt. Washington. And when he belts out a 'Kihap!' (that's a Taekwondo yell), even the Old Man of the Mountain would have clapped his rocky hands in approval... if he still had hands, of course. Yet, the Taekwondo Tornadoes aren't just about flying fists and twirling kicks. Oh no, these Granite State kids know that Taekwondo is about discipline, respect, and helping others. They shovel snow for elderly neighbors, they pick up litter in the forests, and they even host an annual pancake flip-off to raise money for local charities. So, if you ever find yourself in New Hampshire, listen for the sound of a 'Kihap!' echoing through the trees. It just might be the Taekwondo Tornadoes, showing that the spirit of New Hampshire is not just in the landscape, but in the hearts of its kids too.