Solara Speaks
School Is Out
By Solara Key

Muay Thai training with SRO Officer Irvin Turner

It doesn’t seem possible that I have already completed my first year of high school. It was just yesterday that I was getting nervous about finding my classes, meeting new people, and keeping up with my schedule. All that is behind me now, and I had a great, but busy, year. I had a wonderful support team from our Principal, Mr. Ken Nolan, and all of my teachers here at Siegel High School. I managed to maintain my class rank status of first out of 1861 students. I even received the honor of Cum Laude in a national Latin exam. So, what I am saying is, for all of you headed off to high school next year, it is not that hard and scary place you imagine it to be. Just keep up with your studies, and stay focused on the important things in life. Don't leave anything until the last minute.

In addition to that, I kept my karate classes going in Nashville with Sensei Greer, and SRO Officer Irvin Turner here at Siegel High asked me if I would be interested in training in Muay Thai with him. Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle? I LOVE MUAY THAI!! And who wouldn’t want to know Muay Thai, just in case Tony Jaa needed you in one of his films! Officer Turner is an awesome trainer, and I looked forward to my class every Tuesday afternoon. By the way, if you have not seen Tony Jaa's latest movie, The Protector, I urge you to see it. There are so many forms of martial arts in this movie, and there is never a dull moment.

My new "dad" Leo Fong at the Movies By Kids film workshop

And, speaking of films, I must tell you of my new “dad,” Charlie Chan Wong, AKA, Mr. Leo Fong. I know all of you have read about him on the World Black Belt website. Just to name a few, he is a Grandmaster in the martial arts, a Hall of Famer, actor, producer, my friend, and a really kind human being.

A while back, Mr. Fong asked me to star with him in a made for television story called, “Charlie and Chan.” This past December, my parents and I made a trip to Los Angeles so I could begin filming. It was wonderful. Everyone who was involved in the making of the trailer had great composure. Mr. and Mrs. Pohnel were there making everything happen behind the scenes.

Meeting Branscomb Richmond

Mr. Fong narrates the trailer on tricksters corner, and you will also get to see the “thugs,” Norman from Barbados, Yours Truly Bong from World Black Belt, and Borin Khoun, actor and stuntman, who made me look like I was “Bad!” When completed, it will be available on DVD from Sky Dragon Entertainment. You can go to http://www.LeoTFong.com to keep up with the progress. In addition to “Charlie and Chan,” Mr. Fong asked me to play in his current movie, “Revenge of the Grandmasters,” I will play the role of granddaughter to one of the grandmasters. I also got to meet Branscomb Richmond, from “Scorpion King” and “Renegade” while dining out with Mr. and Mrs. Fong. What a nice guy he is.

Training with Mr. Borin "Pitbull" Khoun

It just keeps getting better. You know after having such a wonderful time with Mr. and Mrs. Fong, Mr. and Mrs. Pohnel, and my “thugs”, you just want to keep in touch with everyone. After emailing Borin Khoun for a few months, he came for a visit with us in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. You see, Borin was born in Cambodia and he and his immediate family escaped the killing field and fled to safety in Thailand. And of course, they do Muay Thai in Thailand. So now, I not only have Officer Turner training me, I have a person who lived in Thailand and studied Muay Thai there training me. I must have been born under a lucky star! My mom calls Borin “Pitbull.” We have never seen anyone kick like that in our entire lives. I could not get enough training from Borin, and all of us kept him up into the wee hours of the night wanting to see more of his Muay Thai. My poor bag now dons a permanent crease in it. At least he left the stuffing in it!

Sanbon Photoshoot

Oh yes, I cannot forgot to tell you about the fun we had while in California with the boys at Sanbon Gear, and Co-founder of Sanbon Gear and owner of Nihon Karate, Chad Eagan. We stopped by so I could do a photo shoot with them in their new “creations.” Patrick Duong is the fabulous artist who creates the awesome artwork on the shirts. While there, Jack Huang took us to meet Chad Eagan in person at his martial arts school. He has an awesome school, and what a great sensei he is too. Log onto http://www.sanbongear.com and see the great new line they have, and catch a glimpse of yours truly while you are there in the girls wear section!

Geez...I am surrounded by gorgeous guys, but someone has to do it! And this summer? It’s weight training, and back to L.A. with Mr. Fong.

Yours truly, Solara Key from World Black Belt signing off. Have a great summer, ya’ll. solarakey@worldblackbelt.com

To read past articles by solara key, click here

This has been a Youth E-Zine Article.