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Black Belts and Boundary Lines: Taekwondo specifically because Father Connolly provided free classes Jeffrey Horneman works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Professional Land Surveyor lives a double life of discipline and defense at a local church, a tradition his blackbelt proteges have continued Pittsburgh District as the deputy chief of the real estate office. Horneman
over the decades across multiple states.
has volunteered to provide free Taekwondo classes to youth through a
By Michel Sauret Jeffrey Horneman works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers martial arts nonprofit for the last 20 years.
Pittsburgh District as the deputy chief of the real estate office. Horneman With such a large family, the free classes ensured all her kids could
has volunteered to provide free Taekwondo classes to youth through a attend. Otherwise, she might not have been able to afford an after-
martial arts nonprofit for the last 20 years. school program for so many children.

The kids concluded their test by breaking wooden boards with bare “The instructors have poured so much into my children. They’re
hands and feet. Their families gathered afterward for a potluck dinner amazing,” Manganaro said.
to celebrate their next-belt achievements. Now, one of her sons is a fifth-degree black belt instructor.

“Jeff Horneman is a saint,” said Cathy Manganaro during dinner, Over two decades, Horneman has raised a lineage of 12 blackbelt
the mother and grandmother of students who trained under students. His four sons have also taken Taekwondo at some point in
Horneman for years. their youth, and Nico, his third, has recently returned to the arts to earn
She has three adopted children enrolled in the same class as her his black belt.
grandchildren. Overall, she has put ten of her kids through the Jeffrey Horneman works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Taekwondo program. Pittsburgh District as the deputy chief of the real estate office. Horneman
Jeffrey Horneman works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has volunteered to provide free Taekwondo classes to youth through a
Pittsburgh District as the deputy chief of the real estate office. Horneman martial arts nonprofit for the last 20 years.
has volunteered to provide free Taekwondo classes to youth through a “We don’t give somebody a blackbelt just because you attended all your
martial arts nonprofit for the last 20 years. classes. You’ve got to be able to show that you can defend yourself, that
“My three little ones have special needs,” Manganaro said. “They you’ve actually earned it. It’s a long, rigorous process,” Horneman said.
have been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and other intellectual Yet, at the same time, he said earning the belt is also the mark of a
disabilities, but Jeff has all the patience in the world with them.” new beginning.

Horneman said parents have seen marked improvements with kids’ “What does this mean?” Horneman asks, pointing at his belt,
behavior and focus through martial arts training. whenever teaching a new group of students.

“I can’t say enough good things about the program,” Manganaro Some students think the belt means having achieved a master level,
said. “They don’t just give you your belt. You have to earn your belt. but Horneman would be quick to correct them.
Taekwondo teaches them respect, discipline, honor.”
continued on page 24

The photo above is an aerial view of Mahoning Creek Jeffrey Horneman, LS, left, , holds a board during Josie Jeffrey Horneman, LS, calls out cadences (ki-haps)
Lake dam in Dayton, Pennsylvania, July 21, 2023. Corbin’s martial arts test at a church in Brackenridge, while his students conduct a martial arts test to
Mahoning Creek Lake is one of 16 flood risk reduction Pennsylvania, Dec. 9, 2024. (U.S. Army Corps of earn their next belt at a church in Brackenridge,
projects in the Pittsburgh District. Mahoning provides Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret) Pennsylvania, Dec. 9, 2024. (U.S. Army Corps of
flood protection for the lower Allegheny and upper Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
Ohio rivers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started
constructing Mahoning in 1939 and completed in June
1941, becoming fully operational the same month.
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
photo by Michel Sauret)
EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 61 • NO 2 / 2025 • MARCH/APRIL 23