Emilie Belluomini, 15 entering sophomore year at Minooka Community High School
After five years of studying Ryu Ku Kempo Karate at the Bob Golden School of Defense, Emilie Belluomini has risen up in the ranks and earned her deputy black belt.
She even took it a step further this past fall and performed a kata, a pre-arranged fighting technique using angle, balance, coordination and direction – using a sword.
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Her steady hand carefully twirled the sword in unique motions to perform the beauty of this kata. She first performed it at the Minooka High School Talent show last fall.
She repeated her talented performance at the Christmas karate demo this past December. She is considering showing it to the crowd at the Three Rivers Festival Demo on Sunday, August 14 in Channahon's Central Park.
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Belluomini also keeps active in softball. She has played for eight years with both Minooka and Channahon Park District teams. She enjoys playing third base and being catcher. She even played on the team at Minooka Junior High School. But come her freshman year at MCHS, softball tryouts conflicted with her new interest: theater.
Belluomini acquired an interest in the drama club while in junior high and wanted to continue in high school. Last year she worked the lights in the fall play at MCHS.
In the spring, she landed the part of the enchantress and sang in the chorus of the musical Beauty and the Beast. Her dream is become an actress in movies or on Broadway.
Belluomini also plays flute in the MCHS Concert and Marching Bands.
“Marching Band is lots of work, but I enjoy it more than the concert band,” Belluomini said. “I love the field shows.”
Preparing for the Marching Indian season is tough. Band members will be attending a week-long camp at Eastern Illinois University. Band members will lodge at the university and use its band facilities and football field for their daily practices.
“Practice is everyday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” Belluomini said.
Belluomini considers her greatest accomplishment winning the American Legion Award in eighth grade. She was in shock when she won. She was not expecting the award, which is based on grades, citizenship and teacher recommendations.
Belluomini enjoys school. In fact, she is looking forward to her history classes. As a freshman, she was enrolled in the advanced placement ancient civilization history.
Spring semester can’t come quick enough for Belluomini. That’s when she can take the driver’s education course.
She also looks forward to taking French classes again and having the opportunity to travel to France. She is also looking forward to the band trips.
With her friends she likes to go to the movies, shop and go to parties. But she also enjoys spending a lot of time with her family.
Belluomini describes her family life as “crazy.” She is the oldest of five children. Her younger sibling, Abbie is entering seventh grade. Maddie will be a third grader. Joey will be heading to preschool. Belluomini helps take care of her one-year-old twin brothers, Dante and Dominic.
While with her family, she likes to go shopping and loves when her mom makes tacos. This summer, the family will be traveling to Maryland to visit relatives.
Christmas is Belluomini’s favorite holiday. It’s because of being with family and carrying on traditions. One special tradition is her mom’s Christmas tree collection. Last year, 36 Christmas trees were displayed throughout the Belluomini home. And according to Jennie, Emilie’s Mom, there are never enough Christmas trees. There is always room for more.
