On Nov.4, 2025, Arroyo Grande High School students Julisa Provence and Charlotte Solis went on a trip to Hawaii to complete final testing and receive their black belts in Hawaiian Kempo. Provence and Solis are both seniors who have been training for their black belts for around nine years, with a nine-month intensive training period to achieve this goal. Solis and Provence both train at The Pit Martial Arts & Fitness with John Hackleman, they train four days a week, for close to an hour each day.
“I wanted to get my black belt, to be confident in myself and my abilities, to defend myself, and also to stay in shape,” Provence said.
During the final black belt assessment in Hawaii, the first two days included intense workouts. Monday, the workout was running up a very steep hill, Wilhelmina Rise and completing a workout at the top. Later in the day, Provence and Solis took part in sparring at Palolo Boxing Gym.
“A black belt would come in and start sparring with you, which was kind of scary,” Solis said.
The second day, Tuesday, the workout was a five-mile walk on the beach, grappling in the sand, in the water, and swimming out to a buoy where they had to do burpees while somebody tried to push them into the water, and other intense workouts on the beach.
“ The workout was so hard, but I knew it was my last before I finally got my black belt, so I was excited,” Provence said.
Finally, Tuesday night was the ceremony where Solis and Provence were awarded their black belts. After the ceremony, they were served food, and everyone celebrated this huge success and all the hard work each of them put into this achievement.
To get through this long and intense journey of training and receiving a black belt, the girls both had support from their families to push them to keep going and not give up, no matter how hard it would get.
“I would say my parents were huge supporters; they encouraged me whenever I felt like quitting, and they always made sure that I knew they were proud of me,” Provence said.
Solis’s parents also furthered the support and encouragement.
“My parents did everything they could, along with my trainers, to get me through this experience,” Solis said.
Solis wanted to go through this process and earn her black belt so that she can keep herself safe, gain confidence, and be proud of herself that she achieved something so challenging.
Provence was inspired to train in martial arts because of the lack of females who have earned a black belt, and she wanted to feel confident in herself, be able to protect herself, and achieve something hard.
“It was really inspiring because there’s such a small group of black belts, and there’s an even smałler group of female black belts. So it just made me feel very strong,” Provence said.
Through this journey, Provence and Solis gave advice to anyone training in the martial arts or to anyone who is going through something challenging.
“Keep going, don’t give up, it’s going to suck, but if you keep going, you get so much stronger, learn so much about yourself, learn that you can overcome hard things,” Solis said.
Even though Provence thinks this was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do, she is very grateful she got the opportunity to do so.
“It’s the most mentally and physically challenging thing you’ll ever do, but you’ll really get the best community ever out of it, and it’s such an incredible opportunity,” Provence said.
Training for martial arts is a skill that comes in handy for many situations in life.
“I really recommend that everyone should train in some sort of martial arts at some point in their life,” Provence said.
According to Solis and Provence, getting their black belt was one of their greatest accomplishments and something that they’re super proud of. They are excited to be able to go into the world and be able to protect themselves from the punches life throws at them.
