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River Ridge Middle student not intimidated in dojo or classroom

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BY CLIFF GILL

TAMPA TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT

Published: July 24, 2009

Updated: 07/24/2009 03:17 pm

PORT RICHEY - Bullying is an age-old issue, and it is dealt with by many schools across the nation. If there are any bullies at River Ridge Middle School, here's a piece of advice: steer clear of Sara McCann.

Sara, 12, is part of the school's anti-bullying campaign.

"If I see someone trying to intimidate another, I step in," Sara said.

If the situation was to escalate and she had to defend herself or another student, the eighth-grader is qualified. She recently received her black belt in karate.

"Sara is very dedicated and easy to train," said Greg Phillips, owner of Phillips Korean Martial Arts Academy. "Mentally, she has grown in confidence, focus and discipline. Within a couple times of learning a kata (sequence of moves), she has it mastered."

At the new, larger academy in the Publix shopping center on Ridge Road at Regency Crossing, Phillips' training includes a pre-arranged simulated fight.

"We visualize that there is an actual opponent," Phillips said.

Sara, who took an interest in karate at age 7, can kick 6 inches above her head.

"I was thinking about which sports to participate in," she said. "I liked to kick and thought karate was cool.

"There are 30 points targets to disable your opponent," she said. "I can control my aggression and be more focused because of karate. When I enter the academy, I leave everything behind, such as problems in school and sibling rivalry."

Conquering opponents in the dojo isn't all Sara can do. At River Ridge Middle, she is a straight-A student and tutors others.

"I'm grateful to my parents for supporting me in karate," she said. "I am a better student and test taker because of it."

Science teacher Candace Koop agrees.

"In my class, Sara always strives to do her best, and when her grade dropped below what was acceptable for her, she worked extra hard to bring her grade up," Koop said. "She works diligently on her own assignments but will help her fellow classmates if they need the help."

Sara is a member of The Edge, a group of pre-teens who study the Bible at St. James the Apostle Church in Port Richey. The group holds car washes, collects clothes and food for the poor and visits nursing homes.

"We play games such as simulated volleyball with the residents," she said. "I like to help other people and make them smile."

"Sara is a student who shows and exemplifies the values of River Ridge Middle School in everything she does," Koop said, "whether it is helping her fellow classmates or participating in athletics."

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