Thirteen-year-old Eryn Secrest has a black belt, but it doesn’t match her black shoes and black purse.

In fact it didn’t even come from a mall. This teenager got her belt from hours of mental and physical training, leadership and a nerve-wracking test hundreds of miles away.

After four years of martial arts training Secrest returned from an Illinois testing site on June 19 with the highest rank on the karate scale, her black belt.

&uot;I’ve been wanting to go all the way all my life,&uot; Secrest said. &uot;Now my dream is to go to the ninth degree.&uot;

Earning her black belt was the first degree. Her instructor Master Ken Rogers is a fifth degree.

&uot;It’s up to her,&uot; Rogers said of Secrest’s aspirations. &uot;Nothing is stopping her but herself.&uot;

For now Secrest is spending her week sharing her skills with others and assisting Rogers with a children’s day camp at the Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts School. Part of being a black belt is training others, Rogers said, and Secrest fulfilled those duties Wednesday morning by being completely in charge of a group of 16 children under the age of 12.

Even though she said teaching isn’t her favorite part of martial arts because she doesn’t like doing the talking, she said she knows it is part of the art. &uot;I teach them the basics,&uot; Secrest said. &uot; Side kicks, rolls, one-steps.&uot;

Part of Secrest’s class Wednesday included her sister Lauren, 12. &uot;My sister did it and it looked fun,&uot; Lauren said. &uot;This is my first year. She teaches me new one-steps.&uot;

Sheree Secrest, the girls’ mother, said martial arts are pretty common in their house on a daily basis.

&uot;Her instructor says you have to do it every day and pretty much she does,&uot; Sheree said. &uot;She practices just about every day, that’s just how dedicated she is to it.&uot;

Rogers said he enjoys having students like Secrest who want to stick with the art even when it becomes work. &uot;I’m really impressed with her,&uot; he said. &uot;The basic story about Eryn, she works hard and doesn’t understand the word quit. She’s humble and quiet but willing to help other people. She’s a wonderful student who gives it all she’s got.&uot;

Rogers said young female black belts are hard to come by in America. &uot;(There are) zero,&uot; he said. &uot;They are few and far between. I’ve seen three others in 30 years. She’s the first one I’ve ever promoted.&uot;

Sheree Secrest said Eryn’s devotion continues in other athletic venues including softball and basketball.

&uot;She was a very very active child, and is driven in any type of sports she’s ever tried,&uot; Sheree Secrest said. &uot;She loves everything she does.&uot;