Published: October 12, 2009 12:08 am      

Third degree black belt shows heart

Sixth-grader Smith steps up for special-needs students

Casey Smith,11, not only extends his hand to others but his heart as well.

The Orangefield Junior High School sixth grader has been taking Tae Kwon Do classes for five years and has achieved a third degree black belt in the process.

While waiting for his class to begin one day, he saw a need and stepped up to help the special needs class known as the Warriors. Over time he began to go the class more often to help with sparring, drills and social skills. He has since successfully passed a test to be a Level 2 instructor.

A special moment for Smith was during a practice of social skills and a student who rarely spoke to anyone told him, “Nice to meet you.”

“I like to see them accomplish something,” Smith said with a smile.

Smith has made a number of accomplishments himself. He is an A student and has never missed a day of school since kindergarten. In his spare time he enjoys reading and has racked up more than 1200 AR points at school. He also enjoys playing the alto saxophone in the school band.

Smith initially played Little League baseball but decided it was not for him. His mother, Kathy Smith, wanted him to be involved in extracurricular activities. It was then decided he would give Tae Kwon Do a try.

Smith arrives weekly to the Warriors class to assist and was recently recognized with a certificate from the instructor. In addition, students in the class respond well to Smith and he has been invited to attend the Autism Society of Southeast Texas Seminar. While there he will help the students to demonstrate how well they can actually do in martial arts.

At times the students are known to get excited when Smith arrives.

“They know he cares and they respond well to him,” said Kathy Smith.

However, Casey Smith says he enjoys working with them as well.

“I feel great because I like seeing them smile,” Casey Smith said.

Kathy Smith added she and Casey’s father, Ed Smith, are very proud of him and all his accomplishments.

“He’s always been a special child and always had a warm heart,” Kathy Smith said. “He is always concerned with other people’s feelings.”



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.