Congratulations, Laney Waters! January 2025’s Student of the Month!

Ten-year-old Laney joined our Youth Jiu-Jitsu Program in August 2021, beginning in our 6-8-year-old class.

From her very first day, she has shown coachability, maintaining a positive attitude and always embracing feedback. Even on her most challenging days when sparring gets tough, Laney demonstrates remarkable determination and pushes herself to succeed.

Laney’s perseverance shines through her consistent attendance. She embodies DISCIPLINE—continuously moving forward, overcoming setbacks, and tackling each new challenge with a smile.

A standout example of her grit and commitment occurred in January 2022 when Laney injured her ankle at Rockin’ Jump. Despite being unable to physically participate in classes, she showed up faithfully, dressed in her Gi, and observed every session from the sidelines for six weeks.

While many might have used this as an excuse to quit, Laney remained steadfast in her commitment and refused to let a temporary “shift in wind direction” deter her from pursuing her goal of progress.

Laney is a shining example of kindness, resilience, and determination. She is articulate, gentle, caring, fierce, and tough—a wonderful teammate and a friend to everyone she meets.

Since April 2023, Laney has been a proud member of our Kids Black Belt Club and achieved her Yellow Belt during the 2024 Winter Belt Ceremony.

Great job, Laney! We are incredibly proud of your hard work and dedication!