Her story: In 2006, Kris Ehrmantraut lived a life of balance and harmony as a wife, mother of three, special education teacher and co-owner (with her husband) of Ehrmantraut’s Academy for the Arts. She was also promoted to sixth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and preparing for a Korean tour and promotion in Seoul, South Korea.
IW: You have had a very successful competitive career in the martial arts. Do you still compete? (if yes) What are some of your recent competitions and results?
KE: I have continued to be actively involved in Promotions to advance my Black Belt Degrees. In October 2006, I took a team of ten, well prepared Black Belts to Seoul, South Korea. I was able to successfully complete my certified 6th Degree World TaeKwonDo Federation Black Belt Promotion. The team also passed to their next level of Hapkido Black Belt. I’ve also earned my Masters Degree in Kumdo (the noble art of the sword) and Masters Degree in Hapkido. In 2007, sixty of our students competed in the World Chang Moo Kwon Championships capturing over eighty 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. I was also given opportunity to presided as Master of Ceremony at this World event. Since the’06 Inspire article, our students continue to compete in regional and state level tournaments from September-June. I’m humbly grateful to see our competitive students continue to place within the top three honors in the five martial arts events including Traditional Forms, Creative Pattern, Sparring, Board Breaking, and Weapons. In February 2010, I reached the pinnacle of my career by earning my Grand Masters title 7th Degree Black Belt (Taekwondo) in Seoul, South Korea. The successful promotion of this elite exam was based on several criteria: My degree of proficiency on all skills, techniques, patterns, terminology, 15 page theory paper (theme: my teaching philosophy and performance methodologies). For ten days, my husband Ben and I (along with our team of 10), were awarded scores based on our leadership, etiquette, manners, protocol and prowess. I was awarded the highest score ever in the International Black Belt Federation with an individual score of 100% and 98% for our team score. It was a pleasure to represent Bismarck, the state of North Dakota, USA and our International Black Belt Federation (IBBF). I continue to performance martial arts exhibitions for various community events. The two of us provide Self-Defense clinics and camps for service organizations and schools. The two of us also continue to chair couple the Capital City Taekwondo Championships every January (16 years).
IW: Are you still teaching in the Bismarck Public School System?
KE: Yes, I will be entering my 5th year teaching Kindergarten at Highland Acres. Prior to this, I taught special needs students for 5 years at Solheim Elementary School. I continue to give my time, energy and dedication to my students, my school and our school district. Often times my “little” students are my best teachers! I truly know that, being a teacher, I am living out the calling that God has for my life.
IW: Is there still a strong interest in the martial arts in this area? What are some of the benefits martial arts offers?
KE: Yes, the martial arts has a vast following across the US and our 4 state region. Both my husband and I hold a triple Masters Degree in Taekwondo, Hapkido and Kumdo. We continue to offer a well-versed program in these three martial arts disciplines.
There are many far reaching benefits to being a martial arts practitioner (and instructor). To trump all is the learning and living of “life skills”. Evidenced by our own three children, Benjamin-a 3rd Jr. Black Belt, Jacob-a 2nd Degree Jr. Black Belt and Blythe a Brown Belt, they are wonderful Christians, accelerated students in school, excellent musicians in vocal and instrumental music, and perform well in many other sports. What we also see in our MA students is their ability to focus and concentrate more effectively, their persevering attitude to move forward with goal orientation, and ability to successfully manage their affairs with maturity and manners whether they are age 5 or 55. Many children, teens and adults have lived a better quality of life through their experiences as martial arts practitioners.
If only in some small way, I’ve touched the lives of others through my God-given blend of talents and abilities, my sensitive spirit and sharing the integrity of the martial arts, then I know I’m fulfilling a large part of my plan and purpose in life.
IW: Do you have any advice for women who would like to pursue the martial arts?
KE: There are many opportunities for you in your pursuit of the martial arts. Whether your desire is to have a well-rounded program in mental and physical fitness, have a recreational outlet for yourself or your family, gain self-confidence, learn self-defense and personal safety skills to be used in a threatening situation, meet new people and make new friends, or enjoy the avenue of competition at all levels, our martial arts program offers these venues that may be an ideal match for you.
IW: Who inspires you and why?
KE: God inspires me! It is to Him that I give the glory for all of my national and international victories. It is to Him that I have been richly blessed with a wonderful family and friends. It is because of Him that I am who I am today.
My entire life is a testimony and witness to God’s grace. Having lived a life with the highest of highs (a wonderful marriage, three awesome children, amazing family and friends, 10 National gold medal titles, Olympic Festival medals, career opportunities, reigns with Folkfest and Mrs.North Dakota, a business to help others prosper) along with the lowest of lows (loss of my son and daughter, two nearly fatal accidents, two hit and run, loss of vehicles, life-threatening virus, burn accident, sports injuries, flooding, storm and water damage)…GOD has given me a Savior in Jesus Christ…I can go to Him and His Word for every answer and comfort, which clearly defines… He will never leave me nor forsake me. And best of all, when my earthly life has expired, I await an eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Kris’ Favorites
BOOK: The Bible. And Max Lucado’s books (of inspiration
MOVIE: The Passion of the Christ and Fireproof
QUOTE: Don’t count the days, make the days count. (motto)
EHRMANTRAUT’S ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS AND MUSIC:
18 years of programs and services. We are not only a Martial Arts Academy but we also offer private instrumental music instruction on piano, guitar, strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Recitals hosted twice per year. Last June, we moved our location to 1125 E. Main in a joint “arts” facility with Northern Plains Dance.
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Walking, picnics, signing to song (sign language),calligraphy, listening to music, and devotion time.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Bismarck-Mandan Symphony (30 yrs. for Ben)
Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra (11 yrs.for Ben)
Violin, Orchestra (3 kids BHS, Wachter, Solheim)
Strolling Strings (2 sons)
Perform Church music (family)
Soccer, gymnastics, basketball, track, and tennis
Science Olympiad (Nationals) and Student Council
Central Dakota Children’s Choir
(Ben-Cantus, Jacob-Kantorei, Blythe-Bel Canto)
*** We strongly support the “arts” in our community.