A focused young man

Drelyn Monroe, 7, is one focused young man and it showed recently as he demonstrated the kata, a detailed pattern of movements he learned while taking karate classes with the Young Champions of America, part of the local YMCA.

With his eyes staring straight forward, his arms and feet moved swiftly and in a choreography that maneuvered, then stopped, then maneuvered again, as if his body was telling a story.

"I'm the only one with a blue belt in my class," he said. "These are the patches that I earned."

The patches earned are merits for learning and completing certain levels and so far he has little room left on his tiny uniform or gii.

Drelyn is Ma'ii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Táchii'nii (Red Running into Water Clan). His maternal grandfather is Kinlichíi'nii (Red House Clan) and his paternal grandfather is Tl'ízí Lání (Many Goats Clan).

His father Tony is originally from Tolani Lake, Ariz., and his mother Rhonda is from Chinle. Drelyn and his younger sister, Jasmyne, grew up in the Valley.

"What he has now, his instructor said that he is halfway to becoming a black belt," said Tony "Tiny" Monroe, Drelyn's father. "He is really focused and he really pays attention. With other children his age you'll know that their attention span is very short because children are very active. With Drelyn, he really focuses and he pays attention."

Tony credits the karate training for increasing his son's powers of concentration, but that's not the only quality that sets the boy apart.

"People will tell me, 'He's the most respectful young man I've ever met,'" Tony said, smiling. "They say he's very bright, very courteous and showcases his mannerism.

"What he's gained from karate is responsibility and patience," Tony said. "He's in tune with that and he really dedicates himself with whatever he does."

Currently there are 50 students in Drelyn's class and so far he's the highest ranked among them. He has the trophies to prove it.

Karate students know the training is not about being the toughest or the strongest.

"It's about learning about yourself and I think Drelyn has learned a lot about who he is," Tony said.

Drelyn, a second-grader at Woods Elementary School, is protective of his sister and will intervene if someone picks on her, Tony said, "but he doesn't use his training to beat people up.

"He'll tell people that it's not nice and ask them to stop picking on his sister," Tony said. "I don't think he has a temper. He hasn't shown that side of him. He's really calm."

Tony said he sometimes tests his son, grabbing hold of him as an assailant would. Drelyn uses his karate skills to maneuver out of the hold.

And, says his father, if you underestimate Drelyn, you could wind up with more than you can chew on.

His small frame notwithstanding, Drelyn can put power into his moves and Tony said he's been hit several times while roughhousing with his son.

Also in keeping with his training, Drelyn is conscious of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"He eats healthy," Tony said. "He doesn't drink soda. Watch this...Dre, you want a soda?"

Drelyn looked up at his father and shook his head to say "no."

"He'll drink water or iced tea," Tony said.

Drelyn said his instructor, sensei Darren Davis, has told him he's on track to earn his black belt by the time he's 9.

Davis was on travel and was unavailable for comment.

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