Master Chien Vuong
Started practicing Taekwondo at the age of 14 and has participated in many state and national tournaments. He has won awards that include North Carolina’s Bantam Weight Championship for the years 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and… the Junior Olympic Bantam Weight gold medal in 1985. He studies under Master Chico De La Garza, 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Kyong De La Garza, 5th Degree Black Belt, Master Instructors in Fayetteville, NC. Master Vuong founded Vuong’s Taekwondo Center in 1992 and is the President-Elect of the Maryland Taekwondo Association (MSTA). He also received the Maryland Instructor of the Year from the United States Taekwondo Union in 1999-2000.

Sara Arlen
My name is Sara. I am 19 years old and have been doing taekwondo for 10 years. I have also been a member of the Vuong’s competition team for the past 7 years, earning bronze medals at Nationals in 2013, 2017, and 2018, as well as at the Canadian Open in 2016. Taekwondo has been a major source of happiness and friendships throughout my life, as well as a huge confidence-builder. It is something that I love doing, learning, and teaching.
I enjoy teaching for many reasons. It brings me great joy to see the students grow and reach new milestones. My favorite moments are often those where a student who has been struggling has a breakthrough, and their eyes light up as they understand. Vuong’s was always my “happy place” as I grew up in the school, and I hope to help the students who are studying with us now have a similar experience.
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Kat Howard
Kat Howard has been practicing Taekwondo at Vuong’s Martial Arts since 2001, earning her first Black Belt at 16. She has been teaching as Taekwondo Instructor for Vuong’s since 2011. Now, she is currently the Chairman of the School at Vuong’s Martial Arts and a main Instructor at the West County Martial Arts branch located at Fort George G. Meade (since 2013). She has also worked many years at Vuong’s Summer Camp program, After-School Program, spoken at Bully Busters seminars at various local elementary schools, and participated in a number of local community events.
At Vuong’s, Kat discovered her passion for teaching children of all ages. It does not matter if it’s Taekwondo or tutoring math and reading during After-School. The skills that are picked up as a teacher, coach, and referee have been proven invaluable. Kat is currently majoring in both Early Childhood Education and Special Education, with a particular focus on child development and atypical psychology. She is currently a student at AACC, with an intent to transfer to a 4-year school soon. Until then, she is enjoying working with the many students at Vuong’s Martial Arts and watching them grow as martial artists and as people. It has been her experience that Vuong’s has a challenging, yet inclusive program that excels in teaching people self-defense, confidence and leadership building, and creating an environment that promotes both an interest in learning and becoming an active member of the community.