Junior ‘Takes Down’ her biggest fear

By: Saige Cullup

Photos by: Kensie Speed

When Brianna Asman, a junior from Timberline High School, was a child, she did not go out much. Not only that, but Asman was so shy, that she didn’t even talk. Concerned, Asman’s mom enrolled her into a Taekwondo class in hopes that it would help her build confidence.

Asman has made great progress. She is now a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo, and is followed up her success in that individual sport to take on the team “sport” of journalism.

Although she’s had the support of her family, Asman indicated how taking Taekwondo has been a laughing matter. The time era still thinks that because your a girl, you shouldn’t be able to do any hard work.

Asman took down her biggest fear and is now an upcoming reporter for her school newspaper, The Blazer. She put her newfound mental focus into more creative work..

“I was shy. [Taekwondo] was me coming out of my shell. With journalism, it’s me coming out of my shell with a writing voice,” Asman said.

Just coming to WJEA camp at Western Washington University this summer was a risk.

“No one becomes a star baseball player their senior year,” she said,  inferring that she is becoming a journalist her junior year. “People pick things up when they’re a freshman, I only have two more years.” She explained that although she was nervous, “everybody gets a little nervous writing for their first time.”

Through the struggles that she has dealt with, Asman’s growth showed newfound self discoveries from the extracurricular activities she enjoys. The immense amount of dedication and effort created a change in her social health, and she hopes others will follow her lead.

“Over-involve yourself,” she said she would advise other students. “I don’t know if I’ve ever met anyone that does too much.”