One Monticello Life: Chelle Danley
Published by Kristy December 31st, 2006 in Feature: OML.
In 1985 she came to Monticello to manage the local Pizza Hut. It wasn’t until that same year that she began learning Taekwondo under the instruction of Jim Lee. When Lee went to Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War, Chelle began filling in teaching his students for him and got her start as an instructor as she had been assisting with classes since 1988. In the meantime, she became a black belt but wanted to wait for his return so he could present her belt. When he did come home he decided to become an independent instructor, leaving the ATA for health reasons, but Chelle wanted to stick with the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), the world’s largest martial arts institution.
Under her new instructor, Ron Turchi, 5th degree of Pine Bluff, she was sister (martial arts terminology) to Reverend Bobby Hawkins, who is her current instructor. He fills in the gaps of her story by saying that Ms. Danley is a third degree black belt and certified instructor and school owner for the ATA. Her accolades are many but he admires her for how she helps her students personally. One student, Rico, she took in and helped finish high school and go to college and he has been successful greatly because of her influence.
Reverend Hawkins says, “She adopts kids who no one else will and does whatever she has to do to help them.”
He’s very glad to have known her all these years. It’s clear that her life is spent helping others achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. Two of her early students are now in med school, reaching their goals! One of her longtime students, Benji Beedle, has taken Taekwondo at Chelle’s school for thirteen years and now assists by instructing classes of his own. She is definitely proud of him and all he has accomplished.
Beginning with just two students, you could say she’s come a long way with about eighty students now, twenty years later! She operates quite a business, Danley’s Taekwondo U.S.A. She laughs when she says, “I’m into the second generation of students now!” and really lights up when telling stories about her students. She loves to see personal triumph and recalls several instances where students have overcome doubt and achieved so much. She remembers a little boy sitting in the car crying at his first class and then two years later becoming a state champion and senior student. Also, a physically small “90 pound woman” who came to class thinking she really couldn’t do much and then breaking a board for the first time leading her to the realization that she can do anything! Taekwondo gives students so much more than physical activity and self-defense. It teaches, or Ms. Danley teaches, confidence, perseverance, self-control, and more. Words are inadequate to describe what students gain by taking Taekwondo.
Speaking of whom she’s proud, Chelle’s family comes first. Taekwondo is work and play for Chelle but for her family is at the top of the list. She has raised two daughters here in Monticello. Her oldest daughter, Fallon, is attending Jefferson Regional Nursing School. Chelle helps her out during the day by caring for two-year-old granddaughter, Madyson. Her younger daughter Brandy is in Conway for work but moving home soon to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Most who know Chelle think that her mother lives with her so that Chelle can take care of her but she set the record straight by saying, “Mom keeps me in line. She tells me where I have to be each day and keeps the schedule straight.” She has been living with Chelle for thirteen years helping while her family and business have grown.
Chelle has decided to stick around Monticello because of the people. She jokingly says, “It’s definitely not because there’s so much to do! They roll up the sidewalks by 6 pm. -it’s the people here around town and my church family that I love!” Whatever the reason, our city is lucky to have Chelle Danley…one Monticello life!
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5 Responses to “One Monticello Life: Chelle Danley”
- 1 Trackback on Dec 31st, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Yes, Mrs. Danley’s instruction definitely goes far beyond physical benefits and extends beyond her classroom doors. She is changing lives. And by her very example she encourages others to minister to those who might be in need of anything from food and clothing, to time and mentoring - and equips her students with the confidence to change lives themselves, beginning with their own.
By the way, I weigh 105 pounds - not 90! :)
“Chelle” is one of my favorite people in town because she is genuine… what you see is what you get. Thanks for her story… it was informative and interesting!
It was Janurary 3 2006 when my wife Suzette and I first entered the world of the ATA at Danley’s Taekwondo and Blackbelt Academy here in Monticello. It was all Suzette’s big idea (or at least I’m blaming her anyway) for dragging me off of the couch and out to this place. Not really knowing what I was getting myself into I agreed to do this “Taekwondo thing” with her, but little did I know that we would completly fall head over heels in love with our new change in life and our newly aquired friends. When I started Taekwondo, I weighed 206 lbs my blood pressure was 149/90 and was a hypertensive wreck, but now on the first anniversary of Suzette’s and my life changing Taekwondo experience, with the extensive and intensive love , caring, and instruction from Ms. Danley we have accomplished so much. My weight is now 182 lbs.(cause I like to eat) my blood pressure is 118/70 and I am as calm as I don’t know what thanks to Ms. Danley. She has taught us so many things, that have nothing to do with Taekwondo at all. The biggest thing that she has taught me is Patients, something that I never could get in my younger years, but even though I am still fighting the fight, I will perservere and over-come this feat with the values and hard work that Ms. Danley has instilled into me as a student, husband, father, and friend. Now that it is the start of a New Year we are so excited to be returning to our Awesome Instructor, the Holidays are over and now it’s time to get back to work on Changing One Million Lives. I want to personally thank Ms. Danley for making the City of Monticello a much better place to live. Stay as strong as you are and keep that SUPER HUGE loving heart and We will be yelling “YES MA’AM”!!! soon. Oh I almost for got to mention that the first work-out of the New Year for the S.W.A.T. team was a huge success and It was the most awesome workout that I have ever indured. Thank You Ms. Danley for being there for us and making life so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. To anyone who wants to be reintroduced to life and get off to a new start and get out of the rut that you are in with your everyday rat race. I challenge you to stop in and have a chat with Ms. Danley, or just stop in and take a look at how much of a great time Taekwondo can be. And I also challenge you to take a life changing experience with the ATA………..ATA KICK FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was reading the ariticle above and i totally agree with the author. she is a great instructor and person. i am on of one of here 1st generation students. i remember when she was just starting her school i remember her taking me an other students all the way to pine bluff to work out and going to tournaments all over. if it werent for her i would’ve probably ended up in all kinds of trouble just from lack of having nothing else to do with my free time. hats off to Ms. Danley for helping me stay on the right path.
p.s. i still have my trophies, belts and certificates on display in my house