Patch Whiz Kid: Meleena Cary

Meleena Cary is a fighter.

And not just in karate. Meleena get’s straight A’s in school too and just received The President’s Education Award, signed by President Obama himself.

“It encourages me to keep going and be happy in life and to never give up,” she said.

The 12-year-old has been practicing karate for about eight years. She practices Shotokan, which is a mix of Japanese fighting and Kempo. Her father inspired her to take up the sport because he had practiced karate for several years.

After spending about six years at a school learning technique, Meleena wanted to go further. So she started going to a competition school, Arceo’s Shotokan Karate, in South San Francisco.  

“We are kind of a family,” said Meleena of her school.

Soon after, Meleena began competing. She competes in as many as 25-30 tournaments a year, ranging from regional to national and international. She is now a brown belt. She will be able to test for her junior black belt next November.

“I like to give thanks to my Sensei Geng Arceo, who always helps me and corrects my sparring and kata,” she said.

Her last competition on July 14 was a part of the Gold Cup Circuit.  She won Grand Champion and Fighting Grand Champion. For this circuit, the fighters compete in several tournaments and earn points. After the last tournament, the people who have the most points get invited to an awards dinner.

“She goes in with a positive attitude and she does her best,” said Meleena’s mother Sheila Cary. “And if she doesn’t win, it drives her to be better.”

Last year in the same circuit, Meleena won Gold Cup Fighter of the Year. “I felt really special and proud of all the achievements I made in fighting,” she said.

Meleena competed in the Ozawa Cup earlier this year for the first time. The Cup brought kids from 18 different countries to compete. She placed first out of 11 girls in sparring and fourth out of 13 girls in form. She also won a gold medal.

“I don’t get nervous,” said Meleena. “I just try to do my best and if I don’t win, then at least I had fun.”

Her family goes with her to all of her tournaments to cheer for her. Meleena’s younger sister Ella’s loud cheering helps motivate her.

“Her height, her beauty, her power — that girl stands out,” Meleena's father, Jim Cary said of his daughter. “But what really impresses me is her grades.”

The soon to be seventh grader has straight A’s and won several awards at her sixth grade graduation earlier this year.

“My mom inspires me to do well,” Meleena said of her mom who is a preschool teacher. “I just keep listening to her advice and that’s why I’m doing so well.”

Meleena plans to improve even more on her karate and hopes one day to be on the USA team. When she grows up, she wants to help her mom as a teacher and be a probation officer at Juvenile Hall.

“I want to see kids through their struggles and help them to be better people,” she said.

On her free time between homework and karate every night, Meleena likes to read, swim and draw.

About this column: Highlighting the achievements of the junior citizens of the community.