VOVINAM CORE VALUES WRITING CONTEST ESSAYS
SEATTLE – WASHINGTON STATE – USA.

Dear friends,

I very happy to let you know that the May 30th award reception at Dong-Giao Restaurant for the 1st ANNUAL VOVINAM CORE VALUES WRITING CONTEST was a success! There were as many as a hundred individuals and organization representatives attended the small event. We were able to raise a few hundred dollars for the Vietnam Scholarship Foundation.

I must say that some of you missed out a lot of fun. The kids were great and the three winning contestants' article were read to the audience. Everyone unanimously agreed that those three youth deserve the awards presented to them that night.

For those who did not attend the event, I am sending to you the three winning articles written by the youth in our program. I hope that you can spare a moment of your precious time to read and to ponder. In the end, I hope you, too, will be inspired by the future of our community and society. Let's do more and fight harder for our youth.

Truly yours,

Linh Thai

 

Anh Thu (Tiffany) Vu

1st Place Winner

of

VOVINAM CORE VALUES WRITING CONTEST 2003

(14-years old)

VOVINAM

The root of a tree is founder of that tree

It is the beginning of all good that will come and follow

The branches grow strong and have a commitment to expand

None that truly lives is hollow

Life of each branch, leaves and flowers, create a community of beauty

Some drift away, as to face the world with courage

And to give the Earth color

Each has a meaning, is special, unique

None like the other

A tree gives breath, for it has compassion

For all above and below it

Never taking a false action

No matter what happens

Whether a tree falls over or burns

The root will always be there

And the tree reborn

With commitment, community, courage and compassion

Never torn

 

 

TUNG NGUYEN

2nd Place Winner

of the

VOVINAM CORE VALUES WRITING CONTEST

(14 years old)

Almost three and a half years have passed since I became a proud disciple of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao Martial Arts Association. Within this time period, I was able to learn many important things. Although Vovinam has taught me many things, among the utmost important things are the three C’s – Courage, compassion and commitment – which are regularly integrated into practices and have become very valuable to me.

Speaking of the three C’s, the first one I mentioned was courage. In Vovinam, one the most important things which you are able to build up while training is courage. In Vovinam, disciples are taught to be brave and assertive. This means that if a disciple was ever in a compromising situation, they would have the courage to stand up for themselves and others and mediate the problem appropriately while trying there best to avoid conflict. Even though Vovinam is a form of martial arts, students of Vovinam are taught to engage in conflict only as a last resort. Vovinam instructors play a major role in building up the students courage. For example, if a student is hesitant about doing a front flip, an instructor would slowly guide him step by step to help the student understand the technique and trust himself enough to do it alone. I have used the courage related teachings of Vovinam in my everyday life many times, but one particular situation comes up when I truly think about it. It was about a month ago, there was a fight going on at my school, and no teachers were around so I had to use what Vovinam taught me and my own knowledge of problem solving to mediate the problem. Luckily, I was successful and the two students involved got help from the counselor. Without what I learned while in Vovinam, I might not have had the courage to break up the fight.

Second of the three C’s that I mentioned was compassion. Once you join Vovinam and began to learn the philosophy, you would understand much better how Vovinam incorporates compassion within its teachings. One of the first things you learn when you join is never to use what you learned in Vovinam unjustly. You must use it for your safety of others around you. Also, Vovinam teaches you methods of which to control your anger with, for example, slow breathing techniques. Another compassion related teaching of Vovinam is the ability to make proper judgements. The teaching of how to make proper judgement is one the ten principles. Alike to the Vovinam teachings to courage, I’ve also used the compassion related teachings of Vovinam in my daily life. For example, when I make a decision which affects more than just me, I use my compassion for others learned from Vovinam to make a decision which benefits everyone.

The last but not least to be mentioned of the three C’s was commitment. Commitment may be one of the most important things taught in Vovinam. As a light blue belt student, you would learn that commitment is one the most vital keys to your success in Vovinam. First of all, you must be committed to attend the classes and have an open mind so that you are able to learn. Also, Vovinam teaches you that you must be committed to everything that you do and try your best. Why do something tomorrow and excel when you could do it today and excel at something new tomorrow? Sayings resembling that quote have been used many a time in Vovinam classes, and truly believe that they are very advantageous. Also as a student, you learn that you must be committed to what you say and keep your word. Ever since I joined Vovinam, I have been more committed to what I’ve been doing. For example, at school in my woodshop class I just couldn’t get this project right but I just kept trying and I succeeded on the third try and got an A+.

Overall, Vovinam has truly taught me many things which I will take with me as I go on with my life, but there are three things I’ll never forget. They the three C’s, courage, compassion, and commitment. These three have already helped me a lot and I expect they will also give aid to me in the future. In conclusion, the three C’s are something that I will always treasure and incorporate into my life.

 

 

ANH-THU NGUYEN

3rd Place Winner

of the

VOVINAM CORE VALUES WRITING CONTEST

(12 years old - Dark Blue Belt II)

I sat cross-legged, right on the floor, my body shaking nervously. All around me, cheers echoed throughout the whole gym, sending shivers racing up my spine. Trying to contain myself, I targeted my focus on the current sparring match all the while thinking, “I am gonna be up there … soon…me.”

I shifted my glance, inspecting the surroundings. It was a huge auditorium, with orange-golden walls, bearing signs informing kids, “Don’t drink and drive,” and, “Smoking isn’t good.” Holding more than a hundred eager Vovinam participants, and numerous onlookers, it was clearly a spacious room, well suited for the weekend’s event.

A slight nudge from behind snapped me back into reality. Startled, I gazed up, only to see a Washington master beckoning for me to come. My brow furrowed curiously, then I caught the announcer’s words, “Nguyen Anh Thu.” My heart stopped for a split second, thought it seemed like an eternity. Shocked, I mouthed, “Me?” A swarm of heads quickly responded, vigorously nodding up and down. Shakily, I stood up and ambled toward the sparring gear. I felt as if it were a dream. The room seemed so humongous, and yet the voices so faint. All suited up and was ready to go, I took three deep breaths, and headed toward the sparring area, ‘this it,’ the words continuously bounced around in my head.

* * *

A couple weeks earlier, Master Linh broke the news to us that the upcoming annual Vovinam competition was to be held in Vancouver B.C., on the weekend of June 30th. Some were encouraged to attend that year’s tournament, and it just so happened that I was one of them. I was assigned to do the Beginning form and spar. Knowing the news, I instantly got to work. Everyday, I would put aside time to improve my form, and sharpen my reflex. As the date drew nearer, I grew more frantic, but was committed to working hard to reach my goal, which was, to do my best on the day of the tournament…

* * *

“Nguyen Anh Thu,” my name was called, but this time, I felt complete pride. I stood up from where I was sitting and jogged up toward the platform. A Vovinam master presented me with a bronze medal, placing it around my neck. I had gotten third place for the female sparring! My face swelled with the moment’s happiness. Thinking back, I realized that courage and commitment got me through - the courage

   

 

From: Sue Siegenthaler" <SueS@atlanticstreet.org>

 

Wow!

Thank You Linh - for sharing about the awards ceremony and for sharing these wonderful pieces of writing by Vovinam youth!!! I read them in the order that they appear as attachments - 3rd place, then 2nd place then 1st place winners. What a building-up. And what a wonderful testimony to those strong values promoted by Vovinam: commitment, community, courage and compassion. The poem is particularly beautiful - a masterpiece!

Are any of these students who practice at NewHolly? I would like to extnd my congratulations to them as well! Perhaps the VOICE, Colors NW Magazine and other papers or magazines would publish - with an article about Vovinam? I'd be glad to help follow-up with this...

Congratulations to the winners - to their fellow practitioners, their parents and their instructors - all may be very proud!

Cheers!

Sue

 

 

 

 

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