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Student of the week for December 19th

When all of you have worked so hard at being good martial artist over this last week, I can't select just one or two of you. All of you have done so well. I'm sure Santa is going to bring you guys (and Girls) everything you need for Christmas. I know he has already brought me my present this year. Each of you being my students is the best present ever.

Student of the week for December 13th

Traviyon Hines & Joey Brevard

Student of the week Dec 6th

Logan Pickford

Logan has shown outstanding determination to be her best when she performs her moves (she does them to the best of her ability). Her focus when practicing the kata’s has earn her recognition as student of the week for the first week in December. Her favorite thing to do is class is kicks and her favorite kick is a “roundhouse”. Believe me, she has some really good roundhouse kicks. But, Logan also has some particular traits that are needed to be a good martial artist. She has “Endeavor” which is displayed by her zeal to study and an “Indomitable Spirit”, she will not give up until she does the move correctly. This is why I have chosen Logan as student of the week. Keep on practicing Logan your orange belt is within your reach.

Student of the week Nov 29th

Drew Barden

Drew has been a part of the foundation of our school in Poquoson. Recently he has enjoyed participating in other sports and most recently has joined the swim team. Drew being busy with these other sports has taken away from his practice time in the martial arts. However, even with these other activities, Drew has made it to class each week. In addition he hasn’t neglected practicing what truly makes him a good martial artist “Courtesy”, “Perseverance”, & “Self Control”. Drew attended the Monday’s beginners class (the 6 to 7 class) and helped out with teaching some of the yellow belts their kata’s, during which it was pointed out to him that his blocks and punches needed some work. I have a feeling that Drew felt bad at not being perfect while teaching the yellow belts, but with a smile on his face he went right back to teaching and tried correcting the mistakes. This was a very classy act which took self control (Remember : Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes). Drew is chosen “Student of the week” for the last week in November because of showing determination when he accepted his mistakes and got right back to practicing to correct them and because of the courtesy he displayed by putting a smile on his face and not letting the other students see that he felt bad. Sometimes it’s not about how strong you can punch or how fast you can kick. Sometimes it’s about having the “courtesy” to do the right thing, enough “perseverance” to continue no matter what happens and the “self control” to stay the course. Good job! Drew and keep practicing to get better each day.

I found it extremely hard to pick only one student for this week’s “Student of The Week”. SO, this message is going out to ALL OF YOU. All of you have done such an outstanding job in class this week I cannot choose just one of you as student of the week , I am proud of each and every one of you. Several new students have joined us recently, (Caleb, Jacob, Brandon, & Destini) and because of your focus and “Self Control” in class you are showing these new students the true meaning of becoming martial artist. It is important to look sharp and pay attention in class (and outside of class). The better you control yourself, listen and watch, the easier the moves become, the easier you learn, and the easier it is to protect yourselves and your families.

I can see that most of you have been practicing at home with your kicks and foot position (you guys and girls that aren’t practicing at home better start if you want to be good at karate). It is noticeable that you are doing your “crunches” and “push-ups” also because I can see you getting stronger with each class. Your kicks are stronger, your rolls are improving and your overall technique’s are looking good. However, balance and coordinated foot movement needs to improve. We all need to practice more “step behind, step forward” motion. We have to get better at “shuffling in, shuffle out” and “spinning back fist”.

Our school is growing. With each new white belt that joins us, our basic techniques get better and better. You are showing our new students your “Indomitable Spirit” and dedication to the martial arts by showing up for class each week. Our new students enjoy seeing you show all the moves with good techniques. Keep up all your hard work, do good in school, and treat the people around you with “Courtesy” especially your family.

On a closing note: I challenge each of you to bring one of your friends, or family to watch and enjoy the class each week. Who knows, maybe if your friend (or family) see’s you perform your moves well, it will interest them to join our school and become part of our martial arts family. God Bless you all and watch over you and your family.

Destini Fertsch

Destini has been my student for over 2 years now. Within that time period she has shown the determination (as you can tell by the look on her face) of a black belt, to achieve each belt rank. Destini’s main focus over the last week has been “foot position” for the 3 basic kicks. She has done extremely well with all 3 kicks especially “Side Kick”. Her efforts have earned her recognition for student of the week for the first week in November. Keep up the good work Destini.

Justice Rodriguez

Justice is a unique martial artist who displays all the characteristics of the precepts of our creed. In the short time that he has been with our school Justice has shown true “Integrity” on several occasions. On one occasion when asked why he wasn’t doing his “Jumping Jacks” at the end of class, Justice simple said he hadn’t practiced them good enough to do them with the rest of the class. I asked Justice to do the “Jumping Jacks”, although he knew he couldn’t do them and be good at it, he pushed through his fear of embarrassment showing “Endeavor” and did the “Jumping Jacks”. This is why I name Justice Rodriguez “Student of the Week” for the last week in October. Keep up the good work Justice.

MarQuese Wilson

MarQuese has been my student for over a year and has achieved orange belt (very soon to be promoted to Blue Belt). He consistently puts forth a solid effort to perform all the moves with technique. MarQuese is always ready to try harder to achieve his best. This personal quality is part of our Creed known as “Endeavor”. MarQuese has demonstrated this precept since he started his martial arts training and this past week has shown it even more. This is why I have chosen him for “Student of the Week”. Keep up the good work MarQuese, practice every day and be courteous to all.

Jakob Dean

Jakob, has been studying martial arts in our school for almost 2 years now. Although he has made the grade of “orange belt” it did not come easy for Jakob. Jakob had to work extremely hard to achieve his orange belt and he is working towards his blue belt. His perseverance is part of why he has earned recognition this week. As his teacher I have pressed him hard to do better and he has met each challenge with the same Character and Endeavor that makes him a good martial artist. Our Creed’s 4th rule “Spirit first, techniques second” is the other part of why Jakob earned student of the week recognition. Keep up the hard work Jakob and you will never regret it.

Nicolas Reyes

Also known as "Big Nick", has started to help out more and more with assisting me by teaching the lower belt ranks hand techniques and kata's. Nick is the gentle giant of our school. His courtesy (and his gentleness) towards other students truly stands out when he is showing them the "moves". But most of all, this week I noticed that "Big Nick" was trying extremely hard to improve his foot position during the kicks. This "Self Control" effort has earn him a spot as "Student of the Week". Keep up the good work Nick. Don't ever stop trying to improve yourself.

Two Brothers D’Angelo and D’Onte’ Chesson

I call this picture “Two Brothers D’Angelo and D’Onte’ Chesson” (D’Angelo is
on the right). I choose these two brothers because of their tenacity to learn and
their commitment to practice each week. Although my grandfather’s name was
Angelo (they later called him Peter when he moved to the United States). The
reason I am choosing these two brothers is because they have learned the
beginning steps to “Self Control” but will need to practice harder as each belt
rank is achieved.

Odessa Denson

My head instructor Odessa Denson. Yes! This week Odessa has shown her true spirit in the martial arts.
This spirit of courtesy towards others has filled her with the true happiness of the martial arts in knowing
that we are secure within ourselves and need not hurt anyone to prove it. This is the true spirit of the
martial arts that we all need to have and that is why I have chosen Odessa as our “Student of the Week”
for the week of October 11th 2009.

Chrystofuer Davenport

Chrystofuer (he’s the green belt who is keeping an eye on the yellow belt that he is trying to teach) has
gained an enormous amount of self control over the last several months. I am told he practices several
times a week and he almost never misses classes on Saturdays and Sundays. I am proud to say that his
skills are at the level that I expect from all my green belts (know all the lower belt rank moves with good
technique). He punches hard, kicks hard, and he is fast doing it. Chrystofuer does slow down when he
helps the lower belt ranks learn. He is very considerate of them and this is why he joins Sharon being
recognized this week. Keep it up Chrystofuer.

Sharon Christensen

Sometimes my best students don’t get recognized enough. Sharon is a dedicated student who shows up for
almost every class. She is eager to help the lower belt rank learn their techniques and kata for 2 reasons.
So that the other students can get promoted and she gets to be better at her own techniques. Sharon’s soft
spoken is exactly the reason why I want to teach her more. I know that she will always remember our
“Precepts” especially “Courtesy”. This is why Sharon is recognized as this week’s student. Keep working
hard Sharon your 1st Degree Black Belt is within your grasp.