Name: Addie DeWitt
School/grade: Seventh grade, Crossroads Middle School
Passion: Karate
Northview — Addie DeWitt is working toward earning her black belt in karate, an accomplishment that signifies an elite level of proficiency and mastery. She takes classes three times a week at Premier Martial Arts in Kentwood, where she’s reached advanced status and only has one more belt level to conquer before training for the coveted black belt.
In her spare time, Addie’s also a regular seventh-grader at Crossroads, where she keeps busy both in and out of the classroom. We spoke to the high-achieving and high-kicking middle-schooler to learn more about how karate came to play such a big role in her life.
When and how did karate become something you were interested in? When Addie was 10, she discovered that a friend had been taking karate classes and was intrigued. After pleading with her mom for permission to do the same, Addie went to her first karate class and “I kind of knew that this was for me,” she said. She’s been practicing the sport ever since.
“I wanted to be able to defend myself … if there was an enemy or bullies. And if someone is in danger, I could help them. … (I like that) you can build friendships and learn a lot of life skills like self-discipline — it’s basically where I learned what self-discipline is — and also respect, responsibility and being kind to others.”
A few related accomplishments or experiences: Addie recently tested for and was accepted into Black Belt Bootcamp, an additional class at Premier that prepares students for the two-day test elite athletes must pass to earn their black belt. She was also recently named student of the month for her hard work and dedication at the dojo.
“(Bootcamp) is where they try to get you at your ultimate best so that you can get a black belt. And they tell you that ‘everyone’s best’ is different. You don’t have to do crazy gymnastics in order to get it. It’s just about putting in the work to earn it, to say that ‘I did all the things to meet the criteria.’”
As she pursues that black belt, Addie is also working to earn six life-skill patches, such as goal-setting and nutrition, that she must complete in conjunction with the physical achievements for black belt proficiency. Some of these patches involve writing an essay on what she’s learned, while others, such as “random acts of kindness,” get her out into the community to work with others. To date, she’s earned three patches: charity, nutrition and academics.
Do you plan to pursue this professionally? Addie doesn’t see herself turning karate into a career, and isn’t yet sure what kind of profession she wants to pursue. However, she hopes to keep practicing the sport as an adult because she enjoys the exercise and the continued opportunities to learn something new.
Other interests/hobbies: Addie has a part in Crossroads’ spring play, “Frozen Jr.” this year, which is keeping her busy with rehearsals every day after school. She has also played the French horn for two-and-a-half years.
As first chair in the Crossroads band, Addie says the leadership skills she’s learned from karate have come in handy as she occasionally needs to bring the horn section back to attention: “I sometimes get to say that if you don’t behave today, there’s going to be consequences or something. That’s what you have to do as first chair.”
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned from practicing karate? “I think I’ve kind of grown up. I feel like I became more mature as I learned karate. I was not very mature when I started, but as I was doing it, I felt myself getting more mature and understanding life better, just in general. Karate can present lots of life lessons because of (the patches), and the teachers have lots of wisdom that they share with you.”
Addie’s mom, Nicole, said her daughter’s dedication to the sport has been “incredible” to watch.
“She inspires me,” said DeWitt. “On her very first day of class the sensei had to make sure she was up for this; they’re really stern (at the beginning), and (Addie) had to go in just one-on-one with him. And right from the start she committed to it, and she’s been dedicated and driven ever since. She doesn’t give up. She’s built self-confidence and self-discipline, and her teachers here and at school can see her hard work.”
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