- April 29, 2024
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Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates a kicking technique assisted by Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach as Stan Lee observes. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates throwing Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach as Addison Weigel, 15, of Ormond Beach, and Stan Lee and look on. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates punching assisted by Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach as Stan Lee observes. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates a kicking technique assisted by Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach as instructor Tyler Whitby and student Addison Weigel, 15, of Ormond Beach, and Stan Lee observe. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates a kicking technique assisted by Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach as instructor Tyler Whitby and student Addison Weigel, 15, of Ormond Beach and Stan Lee observe. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates defensive moves as Stan Lee looks on. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates defensive moves as Stan Lee looks on. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates a kicking technique assisted by Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach as Stan Lee observes. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates a flying kick over three students. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, demonstrates a flying kick over three students. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Addison Weigel, 15, of Ormond Beach, instructor Tyler Whitby, Stan Lee, Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, and Peyton Raymond, 17, of Ormond Beach take a bow after the martial arts demonstration. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta, 15, of Ormond Beach, signs her first degree black belt certificate with Stan Lee. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Layla Acosta’s first degree black belt certificate from United Martial Arts. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stan Lee presents Layla Acosta with her first degree black belt. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stan Lee and Layla Acosta show her first degree black belt certificate. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Instructor David Stewart congratulates Layla Acosta for earning her first degree black belt. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Though she be but little, she is fierce.
Fifteen-year-old Layla Acosta, of Ormond Beach, earned her first-degree black belt on Saturday, Aug.19, at Stan Lee's United Martial Arts.
At 4 years old, Layla's parents signed her up for an after-school activity at the Ormond Beach studio, where she thrived. Now a sophomore at Seabreeze High School, Layla has persisted at martial arts for 10 years.
"I trained every day after school, through all of the elementary and middle school," Layla said.
After passing her official test earlier in the day, Layla demonstrated the grappling, punching and kicking techniques she mastered to family, friends and supporters on Saturday evening. After the hour-long presentation, Layla was awarded her first-degree black belt and certificate.
Layla reflected on her training at the studio.
"It is special to me because everyone has always been here for me," she said.
United Martial Arts, at 11 S. Washington St. in Ormond Beach, has welcomed students for 27 years, teaching martial arts to kids and adults alike. Owner Stan Lee spoke proudly of Layla and her accomplishments. Layla, he said, is the 46th person to earn a black belt at his school.
"So out of maybe 4,000 students … only special people get this far," Lee said.
