Texas Advertising Grad Student Wins Taekwondo National Championship

Lynda Laurin, first year MA student, won the 2007 USAT Senior National Team Trials. This means that Lynda is the #1 heavyweight Taekwondo female athlete in the country, and she is sitting right next to us in class. I'd be nice to her...

Lynda's victory means that she is going to represent the USA at the World Championships that will be held May 19-22 in Beijing, China. Winning the 2007 USAT Senior National Team Trials also places her as an Olympic hopeful and an athlete in the final Olympic pool to compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Games Team Trials August 23-25, 2007.

Lynda, who is a native Texan, started Taekwondo at the age of 5 and has been a Taekwondo athlete for 19 years. It's hard to believe that someone can enroll in six graduate-level classes and still manage to compete at such a high level and with such success. But Lynda has proved that she can. Lynda states that she implements strict time management regarding training and studies to make time for other activities and experiences that help her become the well-rounded individual she aspires to be. As she puts so eloquently, "I know that education and athletics are just a means to achieving my overarching life goal which can be summarized as being the catalyst which sparks hope and opportunity for others. Most importantly, I keep my vision and my priorities straight regarding God, family, and the people who support, love, and have sacrificed for me. I maintain my faith and focus as best as I am able to."

In spite of her achievements, Lynda manages to stay down to earth, humble, and grateful. She wanted us to send her thanks to all the people who supported her along the way. Nothing expresses Lynda's genuine personality better than her own words: "Thank you, to each and every person who has touched my life, believed in me, encouraged me, and most importantly loved me, as it is for you all that I do what I do." Lynda makes sure we include her supporters in the area of education: "every teacher/faculty member/employee/student/scholarship grantee in an academic setting that pushed her one step closer to reaching my potential. It is because of you all, that I am who I am and proud to be in a position to give back."

Texas Advertising wishes Lynda good luck with her future competitions.

4/25/2007