When Opportunity Knocks, Possibility Results
One Kick, Punch, and Laugh at a Time
By John Hill
September 16, 2022
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“Martial arts? That sounds like fun. I think I’ll try that.” That is how it all started 4 years ago for current senior Brianna Burch. Heritage Academy Maricopa was a brand-new school, and Brianna was a brand-new student. Amid all this “newness” Brianna herself decided to try something new - she signed up for martial arts. What sounded like fun was in fact fun. “In the first two semesters I was in love. Who doesn’t love to kick bags and punch things?” But for Brianna, it quickly became more than that. “It was an individual sport that involved life skills and building relationships. I practiced it after school, doing my moves, working out. I would always come to class prepared to learn something new, but also to help those who were struggling. I became a leader in that class.”
Brianna’s growth mindset in taking on a new challenge, being willing to help others, and being a leader in the class resulted in her being offered a job at the martial arts studio. But in the process, she was quickly taken out of her comfort zone. “The job involved teaching. I was a very shy, quiet, keep to myself kind of person. It was stressful.” Brianna began to doubt if she could do the job she had signed up for.
But Brianna forced herself out of her comfort zone. She sought advice and began to embrace the role of being a teacher. Her confidence grew. She eventually started teaching full classes. Her growing confidence in becoming an instructor became so natural that it led to her developing her own style of teaching. “I grew a connection to the kids and had fun doing it. Instead of messing up and stressing out about it, I would mess up and make a joke out of it. I would make everyone laugh.”
As a martial arts van driver last year, I had a chance to see Brianna in the role of teacher’s aide in one of her classes firsthand. She seemed so confident, expressive, and in her element that I was surprised later that year when in my English class she wrote reflectively about her transformation from being a shy, scared girl into a confident, happy one. Martial arts had changed her to the degree that I cannot imagine Brianna being anything other than the confident, happy person I have always known. When I think of a successful Heritage Academy scholar and person, I think of Brianna Burch.
“Doing this job has changed my life,” reflected Brianna. “It has taught me to be confident. I went from a shy, scared, soft-voiced girl to this confident, happy, strong, independent person.” There were a lot of ups and downs, but according to Brianna, it was all worth it. “It helped shape me into the person I am today and to never doubt what I can do.”
I often tell my students that opportunity leads to possibility, and, in turn, possibility can lead to more opportunity. For Brianna, an opportunity in martial arts led to the possibility of discovering what she is capable of achieving. With the sky the limit as a possibility, she now has the opportunity to inspire and help others be hopeful and grow just like she did.
For Brianna, a lesson learned is now a lesson taught - one kick, punch, and laugh at a time.
Brianna Burch is a senior at Heritage Academy Maricopa. She hopes to use her newfound confidence and joy helping others in a physical therapy career.
John Hill is an English teacher at Heritage Academy Maricopa. Brianna is one of his model English students – no kicking or punching, but always with confidence and an ever-present smile.
