Bouncing Back: Vernon Martial Arts Center Recruiting Amid Hit

VERNON, CT — A Vernon martial arts studio has taken a hard hit from the coronavirus and is making a pitch to recruit new students and remain open.

Parents have been campaigning on behalf of Top Taekwondo Academy on Route 30, 520 Hartford Turnpike.

"My son and many other kids and adults have been going for taekwondo," resident Monica Jakiel said. "The teacher — Master Jung — is wonderful with the students. He teaches form, kicking and how to break a board with your hand based on belt class.

"But it's so much more than that. He talks about focus, always helping others, having confidence and to face anything head on instead of avoiding things."

The studio takes temperatures, uses hand sanitizer and requires a mask upon entering the building. Kids are "well-spaced" apart during class.

"It could also be an alternative for sports that are canceled this fall, and it's year-round," Jakiel said.

Tiffany Jung, the office manager for Top Taekwondo Academy, said the studio has felt the affects of coronavirus restrictions.

"We have been struggling since COVID-19 and we are trying our best to recover and keep our students in town active and healthy by following the safety guidelines," Jung said. "Top Taekwondo Academy is an amazing place to train with great people, an outstanding environment, extensive support from the instructors and masters. We help you achieve a chance to be a leader that will help you to inspire the world and make positive changes in your life. We are always striving to be the best and to never give up by having patience."

The studio concentrates on "five aims," Jung said:

• Respect: Treat others with respect, the way that you would like to be treated
• Humility: Someone who has humility is not proud and does not believe they are better than other people
• Perseverance: Sticking to your goals in any situations and get through difficulties
• Self-Control: Control your emotions even when things do not go the way that you would like them to
• Honesty: Always conduct yourself with total honesty

Safety guidelines include:

• Everyone who enters the studio will have to wear a mask, use hand sanitizer, and temperature check upon entering
• Maintaining social distance
• Keeping the mask on at all times
• Disinfecting equipment after use in class
• Youth classes have six students maximum
• Only students and one parent per student will be allowed in the studio during class time
• Only drinks are allowed in the studio (no food)
• A limit of 10 students maximum for any special events

Click here for the studio's Facebook page.