Tight-knit family practices martial arts together in Centralia

Tall and thin with pale blond hair, 16-year-old Callie Heinecke shifted from one karate form to another, her face intense with concentration. She was the third – and oldest – Heinecke to take karate lessons on the chilly November evening.

Callie had driven both of her sisters, Kelly, 9, and Alicia, 5, to their sequential karate practices at World Martial Arts Xtreme, a Christian-oriented hapkido ­­­­­– the Korean art of self-defense – and martial arts school in Centralia.

Callie began lessons there two and a half years ago, shortly after Kelly began her lessons, when a friend suggested it might be fun. Learning martial arts helped Callie to feel physically stronger and less shy, and it changed her career goals, she said.

“When I get out of school I want to start up a karate school and help women learn self-defense,” Callie said.

Russ Taft, the school’s owner and an instructor, said he is impressed with the Heinecke girls’ dedication, especially with Callie’s.

“I don’t see too many times a 16-year-old sister driving her 9- and 5-year-old sisters all the way (here) and training them,” Taft said. “They’re a tight-knit family.”

Callie took care of her two sisters while they waited their turns for lessons. She helped them with their karate outfits, hair and equipment. She comforted Alicia after she fell and bumped her nose, taking in stride the madness of kids running around in the back room while waiting for their lessons.

After all three lessons were finished, Callie helped her sisters pack up, made sure they had all of their coats and bags, and ushered them outside where she promised to take them to McDonald’s.

“Callie takes very good care of them,” said Diana Heinecke, the girls’ mother. “Alicia calls her ‘little momma.’”