A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Aaron Flores

Aaron Flores, a 13 year-old martial artist from Midlothian, Illinois, has been studying taekwondo since 2022. What started off as a hobby has blossomed into a passion for Flores, giving him an outlet to express himself and grow in many different ways.

He credits his mother as getting him started on this athletic journey.

“She thought that it would be nice for me to get out of the house and do some kind of sport,” Flores said.

Flores began studying taekwondo at the age of 8, beginning his practice with Rising Star Martial Arts Midlothian, where he met his current instructor, Master Dylan Gluszek. Last summer, when Gluszek opened another Rising Star Martial Arts location in Highland, Flores followed and has since continued his taekwondo journey at the Highland location.

Throughout his time as a martial artist, Flores has worked his way up as a dedicated and reliable martial artist in his Rising Star Martial Arts classes. In spring 2025, he received the honor of first degree black belt from Rising Star Martial Arts Midlothian. Notably, he was the first student to receive a black belt from said location.

“It was hard to do because I mostly only had two classes a week,” Flores said, “but getting the belt was very nice, and it took a lot of hard work. It took me around four years to accomplish.”

Now, Flores practices most days of the week for two to three hours at a time. He finds his training challenging, but he also emphasizes that he can handle it.

Within the last year, his frequent training has started to pay off in big ways. In spring 2026, Flores placed 1st at both the Indiana Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Wisconsin AAU taekwondo tournaments. His performance at both competitions allowed him to proceed to the AAU Taekwondo National Competition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this past June. These achievements mark Flores’s dedication and ambition. Flores hopes these victories add up to his larger goal of competing for the USA Taekwondo team.

In addition to these honors, Flores has received Rising Star Martial Arts Midlothian’s Outstanding Student of the Year award for the past three years.

When not practicing or competing, he serves as an assistant instructor for Rising Star Martial Arts Highland. He sees this position as an avenue for his ability to open up as well as serve as a role model for the students around him.

“When I started, I was just a shy little kid,” Flores said. “Now I’m more mature, and I teach a lot. I work with the kids, and I look at myself as someone who the younger kids can look up to.”

In regards to what inspires him to continue with taekwondo, Flores cites his mother and his instructor as present and positive forces behind his persistence.

“I feel glad that there’s someone to support me while I’m competing,” Flores said.

To Flores, taekwondo represents his passion and drive for the future, but it also boils down to a simple fact.

“I love it,” Flores said. “It’s fun, and I feel accomplished by what I’ve done so far.”