WWMABrandon.org

(Alternate title: The family that kicks together sticks together)

Saturday, April 25, 2026, three students became first degree black belts in Warrior Way Martial Arts. Pictured above are Hannah Foy, Coralea Foy and Lilyann Foy. They are the latest black belts tested at Warrior Way Martial Arts in Brandon. Since the class opened in Brandon in 2003, 19 people have tested to first degree and 6 have tested to second degree.

But these ladies are also part of the Foy family of black belts. David Foy, a second degree black belt, is the father of two sons (Jonathan and Benjamin) who are also second degree black belts. Hannah is married to Jonathan and Coralea and Lilyann are two more of David’s children. For senior instructor Paul Bird – it is a first. It is the first time he has had six black belts from the same family in one of his schools. Pictured immediately below is the Foy family… from left to right Benjamin, David, Jonathan, Hannah, Lilyann and Coralea.

Pictured below are the 15 members of the test board. Front Row (L to R): Faith High, Jeanie High, Gracie High. Back Row (L to R): Benjamin Foy, David Foy, Jonathan Foy, Master Freddie Robinson, Master Michael T. Sharif, Master Paul Bird, Master Halima Stringer, Grandmaster Greg Anderson, Master Mark Fails, Ramsey Roberts, Scott High and John Goforth.

Three of our students promoted during the month of February 2026. Promoting to green belt was Jacob Escobar, pictured above shaking hands with master instructor Paul Bird. Two students promoted to gold belt. Pictured above are Isael Escobar and Lily Walker.

On July 12, 2025, four students successfully completed requirements to promote to a higher belt. Three students tested to brown belt. Those students were Hannah Foy, Coralea Foy and Lilyann Foy. Colten McPhail tested to blue belt. Pictured are the students who completed the examination along with the members of the test board.

Pictured left to right: John Goforth, David Foy, Silas Murray, Master Michael T Sharif, Hannah Foy, Coralea Foy, Lilyann Foy, Colten McPhail, Grandmaster Greg Anderson, Master Paul Bird, and Jonathan Foy.

The next beginner class for Warrior Way Martial Arts will begin after Labor Day.

On April 13, seven members of WWMA tested for the next level of colored belts. Testing for blue belt was Branton McPhail, Coralea Foy, and Lilyann Foy. Testing to senior green belt was Colten McPhail. Two students tested to green belt. They were David Harwell and Ben Lightsey. Will Burks tested for gold belt.

Benjamin Foy earned his first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do on August 27, 2022. Foy tested in front of a panel comprised of master instructors and other black belts.

On November 9, 2019, Master Paul Bird was recognized by the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi for years of volunteer service. Presenting the award is Irena McClain, the Associate Director of the DFM

On May 12, 2018, four students of Warrior Way Martial Arts tested for the Cho-Dan, or first degree black belt exam.  After five hours plus of rigorous testing, the students were successful in their quest.

Students who achieved first degree were: Faith High, Scott High, John Goforth, Gracie High

The eight-member Board evaluated the candidates as they demonstrated their understanding and ability of the traditional martial art of Taekwon Do.

Students promoted and the Test Board, Front: Chris Sumrall, Jeanie High, Faith High, Scott High, John Goforth, Gracie High, Paul Bird. Back: Nathaniel Lias, David Foy, Jonathan Foy, Mike Mulvihill, Juanita McLain

Our next Beginner Class will start on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. We will leave the class open for a couple of weeks in order to give the most people the opportunity to sign up, but then that class will “close” and the group will work together toward their first colored belt. We normally only start beginner classes twice a year. Please review the information about our class on this website if you are interested and make sure you are ready to make the commitment. Since we meet only once a week, we ask students (and their parents) to make class attendance a real priority. Another thing the student must be prepared to do is practice outside of class. The student will NOT progress appropriately if they only practice in class. For more information, go to the “Contact Us” and send a message