Sword-Wielding Brighton Girl: 'It's Part of My Life'

With sharp and precise movements, 12-year-old Zoe Silver confidently wields her sword with a fierce determination as she moves through her Tang Soo do routine in front of a crowd during the Taste of Brighton last week.

"It makes me feel a lot stronger and a lot more confident in myself," the soon-to-be seventh grader at Scranton Middle School said.  

Emphasizing her movements with short bursts of sound, the self-proclaimed "shy and quiet girl" is able to transform herself as she displays her talent and technique using the traditional samurai sword.

Zoe, who is a Level 7, is currently the highest ranking student with swords and is considered to be one of the best in the state. The Brighton student started training when she was 8 years old and has dedicated herself to her weapon of choice.

It was her shy nature that prompted her mother to enroll Zoe in the sport, hoping she would "overcome" and eventually Zoe "just fell in love with it."

A respected talent before even reaching her teen years, Zoe's advice to her young fan base is filled with the tenacity she shows in her sport.

"If you want to do something you should chase after it and don't let it get away from you," she said.