NATCHEZ — When 18-year-old Eryn Seacrest earned her third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do she proved to the world that obstacles dodn’t stop her.

Seacrest suffered from seizures as a child, and as a result, she had to learn that disabilities will not always hold her back, Seacrest’s mom, Sherree Seacrest said. She eventually outgrew the seizures.

“Through martial arts she learned that with hard work, she can overcome anything,” Tae Kwon Doe Instructor Ken Rogers said. “She is my first student in Natchez to earn a third degree black belt, her work ethic is unstoppable.”

Eryn, a Vidalia High School student, said that she has channeled her Tae Kwon Do work ethic to help do well in school.

“Tae Kwon Do helped control my anger and build confidence,” she said. “It also helps me focus and to learn to finish whatever I start in school.”

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art that focuses on striking.

“Its name translates to ‘way of the hand and foot,’” Rogers said. “Experts developed the art in an effort to create one with a Korean national identity.”

It takes a lot of work to achieve a strong kick, but Eryn can demonstrate one, Rogers said.

“A lot of hard work went into getting third degree,” Eryn said. “I spend seven to eight hours a week training, and three to four hours teaching.”

Rogers said he learned a lot from watching Eryn teach because she has a natural ability to inspire.

“My grandmaster told me to always learn from my students,” he said. “As a master instructor, I can sometimes be pushy, but (Eryn) teaches me to lighten up, understand the situation and to be more encouraging.”

Eryn said she is more than happy to put in the hours to teach students.

“I talk to them and help them understand,” she said. “It feels good to teach them the proper form.

“Teaching makes me feel good because they actually want to learn what to do in a situation they can’t control,” she said. “They learn to defend themselves if they have to.”

Eryn also plays high school softball.

“I’m going to play in the Ferriday all-star game (Tuesday night),” she said. “I made all-district and all-parish at Vidalia High School.”

In the future, Seacrest said she hopes to attend Louisiana State University-Alexandria on a softball scholarship where she will study veterinary medicine.

“It is something I have always wanted to do,” Seacrest said. “I just like animals.”

She said that she feels pride in having overcome her obstacles and becoming a third degree black belt.

“I’m proud because I can show people what I can do,” Seacrest said. “And if they want to learn, I can show them.”

Seacrest is also the daughter of Greg Seacrest.