Photo byRobert CollinsonUnsplash

In the lively state of New Jersey, tucked between the bustling cities of New York and Philadelphia, lies a group of kids like no other, the New Jersey Ninja Turtles. Nope, they're not green and they don't live in sewers, and they certainly don't eat pizza all the time. These kids are Taekwondo experts! A typical day for these Taekwondo teens is no less than a roll and tumble in dojang (that's a fancy word for 'training hall'). They kick, punch, jump, and swirl like a pack of wild ninjas. When they wear their belts, you can hear a kind of swoosh, like a superhero preparing for flight. They often engage in friendly battles, not to mention their epic competitions of breaking wooden boards. Now, you might think, 'Aha! They're just normal kids who do sports'. But nah-hah! Each of them holds the spirit of a mythical creature. David, the smallest but fieriest, is often called 'Dragon Dave', because when he does his spinning kick, it's like a dragon spiraling into the sky. Bella, with the grace of a gazelle but force of a hurricane, is known as 'Hurricane Bella'. And then there's 'Eagle Eddie', who can jump higher than anyone else, as if taking off for an aerial view of the Jersey Shore. In New Jersey, these Taekwondo wards, or should we say 'Ninja Turtles', are much loved. They’re proof that in the Garden State, kids don't just eat tomatoes and blueberries; they also munch on courage, gulp down discipline, and feast on the spirit of Taekwondo! And remember, no matter how high 'Eagle Eddie' flies or how fiery 'Dragon Dave' gets, laughter always fills the dojang at the end of the day. These kids know how to have fun, the Taekwondo way!