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REAL LIVING: Boy's determination earns him a black belt
Gracie Bonds Staples - Staff
Wednesday, February 27, 2002

At Starr's Tae kwon do Plus in Marietta, there's a lot of talk about community, courage, courtesy and perseverance.

Students there know there are other virtues one could add to that list, but if it's a black belt you want, perseverance, at least, is a must.

"A lot of people just don't have it in them,'' said Lowell Starr, the 32-year-old owner. Starr has had it in him for a long time, even longer than he knew himself.

One moment he was a student of tae kwon do and the next he was working alongside his instructor as a teacher. He liked it so much more than engineering he traded in his books at the University of Alabama and took up teaching full time.

That was in 1989. Since then Starr has awarded more than 280 black belts at his east Cobb shop. All were special moments.

But every once in a while, special moments become really special. Like the awards ceremony a month ago.

Three people had already gotten their black belts that night. When Starr got to the fourth, he said he wanted the next recipient to get the "full attention he deserved.''

Starr told the audience that night that Chase Carrier, 11, had started in his cub program. When it was time to test, Chase had to bow out more times than Starr cared to remember.

"I don't think he's ever given up,'' Starr said.

When Starr called his name, Chase bounded the stage running. It had taken him five years --- twice as long as most people --- to complete the journey. He hadn't let autism keep him from his goal. Perseverance had paid off.

Starr took off the red belt and replaced it with the black. Chase turned and gave the audience a thumb's up.

Starr's face beamed like a proud father. He hadn't just preached. He'd practiced it.

Real Living is a twice-weekly feature about everyday life, the people and events that reveal our humanity and connect us in some way. To suggest a story, write to Real Living, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303, e-mail gstaples@ajc.com or telephone

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