Duxbury High School Student Balances Karate and Aiding Homeless Veterans

In Duxbury, Massachusetts, a high school senior does more than just excel in martial arts; she dedicates her efforts to assisting veterans facing homelessness.

Climbing the Karate Ranks

Sophia Bethoney has been mastering Uechi Ryu karate since she was a child, under the guidance of her relative, known as Sensei Bob.

Sensei Bob, whose real name is Bob Bethoney, reflects on Sophia's quiet demeanor during her training, saying she spoke very little but fought with incredible skill.

Sophia emphasizes the importance of mental discipline in karate, noting that it's not only about physical actions but also about approaching every task with focus and a willingness to learn.

Having achieved a red belt, Sophia strives to continually improve, embracing the values of humility, compassion, and importantly, respect.

Exploring Construction and Designs

At a young age, Sophia began learning the ropes of her family’s construction business, starting with simple tasks and eventually showing interest in marketing and design.

Transforming her workspace at home, Sophia focuses on drafting designs for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), having completed layouts for several projects.

Sophia's latest initiative is designing an ADU intended for a homeless veteran, with plans to use completely donated labor and materials as a tribute to those who have served.

Despite being in the initial phases, Sophia aims to finish this endeavour during her high school years, hoping it will spark further community development.

Sophia is driven by the belief that if she can motivate even one individual to make a difference in the world, her efforts will have been worthwhile.