“Hi everyone! My name is Danika Petit. I am 20 years old and a second year at Pitzer College (one of the Claremont Colleges). I have grown up in Telluride, Co and I have been immersed in American Kenpo Karate for 13 years and started when I was 7 years old. I have had the honor of being a student of Mr. Eric Nepsky! AKK is my passion; it is incredibly special to me and I am beyond excited to continue my education within this art as well as further the instruction of other students. When I was first starting there were no other little girls coming up through the ranks with me in my studio and that was hard because I didn’t want to be around boys all the time. I also did not know if I belonged there. I did however have many incredible women who inspired and continue to inspire me throughout this process and showed me that I do belong. Some of those women are Dr. Jonette Bronson, Barbara White, Andrea Pfefer Trombi (who founded the Telluride Karate Studio), and of course my mom who is now a 3rd degree brown belt.
I have recently earned the great privilege of being promoted to second degree black belt which has been an unforgettable journey. I can’t wait to enter into the future alongside all of you brilliant martial artists. One of the most amazing aspects of this journey has been that I get to train alongside my brother Colton Petit and my mom Annette Petit. My brother is also a 3rd degree brown belt as of recently. The thing is, everyone I have met traveling down this path have become my family. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to train with the most world renowned martial artists. They have all inspired me and moved me in more ways than one. I want to thank each and every one of those people for everything you have taught me in and out of the martial arts. I hope to continue this journey for the rest of my life and follow in the footsteps of all of those who have come before me.”