Disciplined dad and daughter at top of their class

When Shannon Donley walked into her first taekwondo class, in 2006, she wasn't sure whether she'd be successful.

Clinging to her father's side, she watched as students practiced the martial art, which combines philosophy with self-defense training, such as kicking, punching and blocking.

"You walk in, and you see everyone yelling," Shannon said.

But the father and daughter from Bethesda decided to take the class together, and they promised each other that they would stick with it.

"I made a pinky swear with my dad that we would both get our black belts," said Shannon, 9.

And they did, alongside four other students at Positive Impact Martial Arts in Potomac last month.

"What makes it so meaningful for me -- it's obvious -- is being up here with my daughter at the same time," James Donley said.

Taekwondo seeks to instill discipline and focus in its students, according to master instructor Greg Maye, who heads Positive Impact. Students must not only work their way through ranks symbolized by colored belts -- passing a test to demonstrate skills before each promotion -- but also undergo leadership training and physical tests before they achieve the rank of black belt.

The lessons go hand-in-hand with a focus on leadership, responsibility and giving back to the community, Maye said. "Our saying is that martial arts without philosophy is just street fighting."

Parents and children often practice together, Maye said. "It's one of the few things parents can do with kids where there's really a big bond, because they grow together doing the same thing."

James Donley's cousin Clay Christian started practicing taekwondo with son Robert, 13, four months ago and said the classes were a way for them to bond. Now, the two jump rope and spar together at home.

The discipline taught in the classes -- "They make you do push-ups if you're late," Christian said -- are an added benefit. "It's something we could do together, and it's very structured."

For the Donleys, reaching their long-term goal reinforces the bond they forged through taekwondo.

"Every time when we drive here, we hold hands, and every time we drive home, we hold hands," Donley said. "On the way here, I said, 'This is the last time we'll hold hands before we're black belts.'"