She stared into her opponent’s eyes. The room was quiet. She recognized the look on her competitor’s face; she had seen it many times before. He was doubting her, underestimating her ability to fight. He thought she was inferior because she was ‘just a girl,’ but that did not bother her. She knew what she was capable of, regardless of what people thought of her, and she wasn’t going to let anyone get in the way. Although she may seem shy and timid initially, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Junior Julie Yang spends her Fridays and Saturdays teaching children tae kwon do at her father’s martial arts studio, The White Tiger. Yang first started working there two years ago, after she earned her black belt. She did not plan on having a regular job at The White Tiger, but Yang said she loves what she does.

“At first I just started to help my dad,” Yang said. “It helped me build confidence and leadership skills. I learned to interact with people.”

The children Yang teaches at the studio learn various moves and tactics to improve overall form. Some activities include jumping over obstacles, kicking and target practice.

“I just really like teaching, interacting with kids [and] seeing them develop their skills,” Yang said. “They are really enthusiastic.”

At The White Tiger there are kids with autism, and sometimes Yang has to change up the way she teaches things in order to tend to their needs.

“There are multiple types of autism, shy [and] active,” Yang said. “Sometimes I have to be their friend [or] their sister.”

Yang enjoys her job, because she is in a comfortable, friendly environment and is doing something she loves. However, Yang admits she struggles balancing her school work and her job sometimes. Yang participates in many clubs that require volunteer hours and extra work which interfere with her job and school work.

“I don’t have time to hang out with friends,” Yang said. “When I have volunteer work, that’s when I get to see and hang out with [my] friends.”

Some may see Yang as an introvert – the shy, quiet type that does everything right. But most people just see the surface and do not see everything she is capable of. Yang said she is more talkative around her friends than others.

“When I’m with my friends I have the tendency to talk more than usual,” Yang said “I’m not very talkative when it comes to sitting down and studying.”

Although Yang is not the loudest person in a room, she is not weak. Her unassuming yet personality makes her seem less likely to be a threat to her competitors, giving her an advantage. Her opponents may doubt her, but her skill and technique always come through.

“I don’t let [my opponents] dictate over me, but I take consideration of them,” Yang said. “I don’t do what they tell me to do, but I listen and [contemplate] if it is better.”