1. EMMA THORNTON STATEMENT:

As a person who has practiced martial arts and self defense skills throughout my childhood, I was excited to hear about the opening for NWMAF’s Youth Coordinator position. This role is focused on engaging and welcoming youth into NWMAF activities, which are skills I have developed through being a weekly volunteer at a Homelessness Navigation Center, the Chair of Education at my school’s Period Club, and an assistant instructor at my dojo.

I am interested in working with NWMAF because the organization reflects my values of inclusivity, keeping an open mind, and love for our community. During my work as a weekly volunteer at the Sunrise Homelessness Navigation center I cultivated my skills of using language that is inclusive to all, meeting people where they’re at, and teamwork. Whether I was working in the food kitchen, clothing donation closet, or mail room, I was always meeting people, both clients and volunteers, from different backgrounds with different needs. For some clients I would find professional outfits for them to wear to job interviews, for others all they wanted was a hot meal. I worked with individual clients to show love for my community as a whole.

As a person who has graduated from high school very recently, I am uniquely qualified for the Youth Coordinator role because I understand how to communicate and engage young members in an effective way. During my work with Period Club, I had to take complicated information, like the science behind the menstrual cycle, and make it easy for young people to digest by doing things like creating fun coloring pages and word searches. Our work to destigmatize discussions around menstrual health came to a head when we successfully worked with our school administrators to ensure that free menstrual products would be provided in all school bathrooms. Before I graduated high school, I also trained four seventh graders on how to give a presentation about the science behind the menstrual cycle to their peers, so that knowledge will continue to be shared in the future!

By working as an assistant instructor for both karate and ESD classes at my dojo (Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self Defense), I have also developed interpersonal skills like leadership and adaptability. I also help lead our yearly summer camp, so I have many ideas for youth activities based on martial arts, healing arts, and ESD themes, like rock painting and collaborative art pieces. I am excited to continue the youth programs NWMAF already has in place, namely the Youth Art and Essay Contest and the youth Zoom meetings. As a previous participant in the art contest, I can say firsthand how valuable these activities are in order to keep youth members interested in NWMAF.


2. DEANNA LARSEN STATEMENT:

My name is Deanna Larsen, and I am honored to be considered for the Youth Coordinator position on the NWMAF board. As a martial artist and instructor for over 40 years, I have seen firsthand the incredible power of our community to uplift and empower individuals. I am the proud owner of Chain Reaction Martial Arts, which I run with my daughter, and my personal journey has deeply informed my vision for the future of NWMAF.

Strengths and Opportunities for NWMAF

I believe NWMAF’s greatest strength lies in its ability to bring women and LGBTQ+ people together to support one another. The annual conferences and regional events are vital hubs for connection and shared growth. This community is a powerful force, and I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have connected with women martial artists who are older than myself, as well as with other mothers and daughters, and with instructors and youth.

Looking ahead, I believe we have a significant opportunity to grow our membership and better serve our youth. The young people in our organization are the future of NWMAF, and they deserve an even bigger spotlight. We can increase youth involvement by providing more scholarship opportunities for memberships and creating programs that are designed with their specific needs and interests in mind.

My Vision for NWMAF

My vision for NWMAF is a future where our community is more connected, more visible, and more accessible than ever before. I believe we can achieve this by expanding our reach through more frequent regional and online events, which would allow us to grow our membership and foster year-round engagement. I want to see more youth involved in every aspect of the organization, and to see NWMAF’s impact extend to more countries, reaching more people that can benefit from what we do. We should actively engage with schools and other community groups to tap into the powerful mother-daughter dynamic I’ve witnessed, ensuring the next generation is ready to lead.

What I Bring and What I Want to Learn

With decades of experience in the martial arts and over six years of actively teaching kids aged 4 to 18, I bring a wealth of practical experience in working with youth. I am passionate about creating a safe and engaging environment where young people can thrive. My personal journey as a mother and martial artist has fueled my desire to see more families, particularly mothers and daughters, find a home in our community.

Most importantly, my primary goal in this role is to learn. I want to actively listen to our youth members and understand what they want from NWMAF. I believe my role is to be a voice for them and to work collaboratively with the board to implement their ideas and feedback.

3. STACEY LEGG STATEMENT:

I’ve been practicing martial arts for 33 years and have been an instructor for nearly 6 years. I also worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Coal City Schools in Coal City, IL, for 8 years. Teaching and working with children has always been something I enjoy, and I believe I could make a positive impact by helping the NWMAF grow their youth program.

I love NWMAF for what it represents and its commitment to empowering women and promoting inclusion and safety. I would be thrilled to contribute to the continuation of this journey. My vision for NWMAF is to see it thrive and expand. I believe my experience in martial arts and working with children would be a valuable asset to the group.