Wrap around. Cross. Under. Cross. Over. Pull tight. Tying her Black Belt around her waist is a daily routine for senior Samantha Teague. She tugs on the ends of her belt to ensure that it’s tight and ties her hair up.

With a deep breath, she steps up to the front of the gym and calls the team to attention. They bow and recite their team’s rules, “Courtesy, integrity, perseverance in classroom and lives.” Then Samantha orders them to begin warming up.

Since she was 5, she had been labeled as a student at her father’s Karate for Christ program held at Shannon Hills First Baptist Church. Now at the young age of 17, Samantha is a certified training instructor, just like her father.

Samantha was presented with her certificate at the Karate for Christ State Championship Sept. 22 at Bishop Park.

“I was really excited, but very nervous because there were so many people watching,” she said.

Samantha also judges forms and sparring at tournaments.

“I really look forward to instructing. It’s just so much fun because we all go to the same church and we’re all really close,” she said.