With the Golbecks, black belts are a family tradition.

Siblings Jessica (18) and Aron (14) Golbeck earned their second degree Taekwon-do black belts at the Washington state Spring Black Belt Test on May 14, making four in the family overall.

Jessica and Aron earned their black belt (first degree) together in October of 2020 and together have been improving technique, learning new patterns and testing their skills at Sequim’s Bodystrong Taekwon-do Academy, where both their father, John Golbeck, and brother, 17-year-old Adrian Golbeck, have also earned their second degrees.

John Golbeck became a second degree on January 2017 and Adrian in October 2020. Both John and Adrian were constructive in the practice and success of Jessica and Aron, Master Brandon Stoppani noted, working with them both at home and at the academy. All four Golbecks have been instrumental in the instruction of other students working their way to black belt, Stoppani said.

Fourth degree black belt and instructor Linda Alan took Jessica and Aron under her wing, spending many Saturday mornings making sure they were above standard and continuing the high standards of this self-defense martial art at Bodystrong Taekwon-do, Stoppani said.

Bodystrong Taekwon-do Academy runs classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call Stoppani at 360-582-0301 for more information.