Under the training of Charles Mann, Eileen Burke, 16, of Zebulon, received her black belt status on March 31 after three years of learning the art. The home-schooled student says having more leniencies in juggling book time with practice time has allowed her to advance quickly through the ranks. She now puts in roughly 30 minutes per day with her favorite advanced weapon, the Eku Bo, during her couple hours of daily training.

Burke said karate offers a lot to those willing invest their time. She said the classes with Mann through ZPR are a great place to start.

“He's probably the best I've seen,” she said. “I consider myself lucky to be able to train with him.”

The first male black belt to go through the program agreed. Jared Lloyd, 25, said Mann has been like a second father in and out of competition.

“He's one of the best in the state,” Lloyd, a 15-year student of Mann, said. “People don't realize how great it is to pay $30 a month to get this type of training.”

At 16, there is a world of other things a young woman could be involved in, but Burke said the class offers things not all places can – the opportunity to grow as an individual.

“The main thing I'm learning here is discipline,” she said, noting it also gets students in shape, but there's plenty of ways people, especially a 16-year-old, can stay in shape. “Respect is how I apply it. After a few years of class it gives you a whole new perspective – like Mr. Mann said, it's a way of life.”

Burke said she considers herself more than lucky such a quality class is offered right in the middle of Zebulon. She said it's great not having to drive too far for such extracurricular learning.

“I'm planning on being here until I'm in a wheel chair,” Burke said. “I really want to be here that bad. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.”

She said as valuable and affordable as the class is there's no reason those interested shouldn't come out and give it a shot. She said she was skeptical of getting into the program at one point, but that all changed in a short period of time.

“You should at least give it a try,” she said. “It's not for everyone since it's a contact sport, but at first I didn't know if it was for me. Now I've been here for three years.”

Burke is currently training for a tournament in Petersburg, Va., on Sept. 19, where she will compete in empty hand, sparring and weapons events.