- April 26, 2024
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Two local teenagers received their black belts from Stan Lee's United Martial Arts in Ormond Beach on Saturday, March 16.
Jaden Quinn, 18, and Peyton Raymond, 16, passed their black belt tests prior to the ceremony that evening. The test involved a demonstration of all the martial arts skills they had learned since they wore white belts. These included striking, grappling, a self-defense choreography and a board-breaking demonstration.
"The standards are very high and the amount of time and effort and commitment that both of them put in are something you just don't see," Lee said. "It's very rare in today's world to see people — to see any child or teenager — stick with the same goal for three, four, 10 years. It's unheard of these days. They're special people."
Quinn, a Flagler Palm Coast high school student, has been training for 10 years. She started in Lee's after school program, but had to stop in middle school when her family moved to Flagler County.
"Then, like four years later, when she got her driver's license, the first thing she did is drive herself down to get back enrolled in lessons," Lee said.
Raymond, who is homeschooled, began training three-and-a-half years ago. Last summer, he also started working as an assistant instructor with Lee.
"He's been here every single day, every single class since he got here, and then worked his way into a job," Lee said.
Visit ormondbeachmartialarts.com.
