Sunday June 22nd. Christ King Festival
C.J. Caponi. performs a double leg take down on Chris Bower.
C.J. holds the crowd with his tomfa kata.
Ben Caballero and Laura Brennan demonstrates escrima.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Christ King Festival
The Elite Demo Team performed an excellent job at the Christ King Festival. Great compliments were given by the Festival's coordinators. The comment was will "Will you please come back next year!?"
Sunday June 22nd. Christ King Festival
C.J. Caponi. performs a double leg take down on Chris Bower.
C.J. holds the crowd with his tomfa kata.
Ben Caballero and Laura Brennan demonstrates escrima.
Sunday June 22nd. Christ King Festival
C.J. Caponi. performs a double leg take down on Chris Bower.
C.J. holds the crowd with his tomfa kata.
Ben Caballero and Laura Brennan demonstrates escrima.
Welcome to the Black Belt Club:
Michael Wallace
He has followed the Code of the Samurai.
I want to join the Black Belt Club because it is the most elite group in Elite Martial Arts and it will help me develop my skills to a greater level. Joining the Black Belt Club will allow me to practice with advanced students and improve my skills in karate. I want to become a better student and a teacher.
I deserve to be in the Black Belt Club because I have consistently participated in karate for 6 years. I have been and will continue to be a role model for younger and lower ranked students. Not everyone who joins the Black Belt Club earns their black belt, but I will work until I succeed. I want to strive for excellence and become a leader. The Black Belt Club is the way.
Michael Wallace
I want to join the Black Belt Club because it is the most elite group in Elite Martial Arts and it will help me develop my skills to a greater level. Joining the Black Belt Club will allow me to practice with advanced students and improve my skills in karate. I want to become a better student and a teacher.
I deserve to be in the Black Belt Club because I have consistently participated in karate for 6 years. I have been and will continue to be a role model for younger and lower ranked students. Not everyone who joins the Black Belt Club earns their black belt, but I will work until I succeed. I want to strive for excellence and become a leader. The Black Belt Club is the way.
Michael Wallace
Welcome To The Black Belt Club:
Victoria Wallace
She has followed the Code of the Samurai.
I remember when I barely passed my Brown Belt test. In the past that would have been the point at which I would have quit. I have quit other activities because of disappointing failures. I stumbled while being timed in track, and I didn’t want to face it ever again. During the time I have spent in karate, I had a bunch of little things happen that made me not want to go back, my Brown Belt test being the biggest.
I am not normally one to sound dreamy, but I came back the Saturday after my Brown Belt test and went through another class like nothing had happened, except for the fact that Sensei told the class I past my test. That is a huge thing for me to accomplish, to come back after experiencing a disappointment.
Karate has been the only activity I have stuck with, and have enjoyed for several years. Any activity that can do that is worth time and effort. Since my last test I have done everything I can do to become better and improve, so I can avoid a future stumble. Here I go again pushing the border, but the determination I have learned from karate has helped me get over something that has always been a part of me. Because of that, I want to become the best I can be. Right now I am in the Black Belt Club to improve, and I plan on following that path no matter where it takes me.
Victoria Wallace
I remember when I barely passed my Brown Belt test. In the past that would have been the point at which I would have quit. I have quit other activities because of disappointing failures. I stumbled while being timed in track, and I didn’t want to face it ever again. During the time I have spent in karate, I had a bunch of little things happen that made me not want to go back, my Brown Belt test being the biggest.
I am not normally one to sound dreamy, but I came back the Saturday after my Brown Belt test and went through another class like nothing had happened, except for the fact that Sensei told the class I past my test. That is a huge thing for me to accomplish, to come back after experiencing a disappointment.
Karate has been the only activity I have stuck with, and have enjoyed for several years. Any activity that can do that is worth time and effort. Since my last test I have done everything I can do to become better and improve, so I can avoid a future stumble. Here I go again pushing the border, but the determination I have learned from karate has helped me get over something that has always been a part of me. Because of that, I want to become the best I can be. Right now I am in the Black Belt Club to improve, and I plan on following that path no matter where it takes me.
Victoria Wallace
Challenge Matches
Elizabeth Ziech 11 2nd Brown
Max Kane 10 Purple Belt
Mike Burgerino 8 Green Belt
Lucas Romero 7 Purple Belt
We had a small but spirited turn-out for the Challenge Matches. For students who wanted to compete but couldn't attend we will be having them again the first Friday in October. That will be a more convenient date.
Sensei Paquette, who was judging the matches, commented on how improved all the Belt ranks were. This is a tribute to the work ethic of the participants, and the job of the excellent staff of instructors. I am so blessed to have such a committed and dedicated staff of Senseis and Instructors. It makes my job easy.
All the participants had their game face on. The matches were very close. Most went two out of three rounds and had overtime periods. The fights set up some great re-matches for fall.
To the winners, congratulations, but don't rest on your victory. Some of your opponents have already scheduled in for private lessons to hone their Challenge Match skills.
To the opponents, you all fought valiantly. I could not be more proud of you. I have always learned more and became a better Martial Artist, because of my defeats, more-so than my victories. Work hard because you may have a rematch in October.
Max Kane 10 Purple Belt
Mike Burgerino 8 Green Belt
Lucas Romero 7 Purple Belt
We had a small but spirited turn-out for the Challenge Matches. For students who wanted to compete but couldn't attend we will be having them again the first Friday in October. That will be a more convenient date.
Sensei Paquette, who was judging the matches, commented on how improved all the Belt ranks were. This is a tribute to the work ethic of the participants, and the job of the excellent staff of instructors. I am so blessed to have such a committed and dedicated staff of Senseis and Instructors. It makes my job easy.
All the participants had their game face on. The matches were very close. Most went two out of three rounds and had overtime periods. The fights set up some great re-matches for fall.
To the winners, congratulations, but don't rest on your victory. Some of your opponents have already scheduled in for private lessons to hone their Challenge Match skills.
To the opponents, you all fought valiantly. I could not be more proud of you. I have always learned more and became a better Martial Artist, because of my defeats, more-so than my victories. Work hard because you may have a rematch in October.
Sensei's Tulips
Each year I plant a large flower garden. It is quite therapeutic. All students should find someway to commune with nature. Not only in summer but all year round. Students, try to play outside as much as possible this summer.
From The Desk of Sensei Reshel
This month’s cover letter is written by Sensei Josh Peterson. Sensei Peterson has twenty years of Judo experience and spent three and one half years at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has competed with the best Judo players in the world.
Students please read his words of wisdom.
Respectfully,
Sensei Reshel
Dear Parents, Students, & Friends,
One of my old team-mates had a phrase he was fond of: Some Days You’re The Hammer, Some Days You’re The Nail. He told me this the day he won his third National Championship...and he told me again when he blew out his knee a few months before the Olympic Trials.
After twenty years of Judo, I know what it’s like being the nail. I’ve got the dents, dings, and flat head to prove it. Being a martial artist isn’t easy, and getting banged up is just something we have to get used to. Over time, we learn that scrapes and bruises come with the territory but only by looking past them can we achieve our goals.
My friend was told that for his type of knee injury it would take major surgery and 9 months of rehab to get back on the mat. He did it in three. Entire days he spent in the weight room with his cast on, always with a face twisted in pain. Two weeks after his surgery he was back on the Judo mat doing everything he was capable of, which wasn’t much having only one usable leg. Defying all expectations, he went on to make that Olympic team.
Carbon atoms under extreme heat and pressure over a long period of time turn into diamonds, the hardest substance known to man. Every night we come to class, we are exposing ourselves to that same process. Training and practice are the martial artist’s way to become like that beautiful, virtually indestructible gemstone.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re still going to stub our toes, get paper cuts, and catch colds. We’re still human when all is said and done. What we are hardening is our will, our minds, and our spirits. Anyone can learn to throw a decent punch or do a successful turnover. We become diamonds not in the sense that our technique is perfect, or that our bodies are invincible, but in that our will can never be broken.
We learn to overcome every obstacle. We train ourselves so that we may not collapse under every pressure, not be crushed beneath every weight. The harder we practice, the stronger we become...and the easier it is to handle all the tough things life throws at us when we look up and realize that the hammer is going to fall.
Yours in the Martial Arts,
-Josh Peterson
Students please read his words of wisdom.
Respectfully,
Sensei Reshel
Dear Parents, Students, & Friends,
One of my old team-mates had a phrase he was fond of: Some Days You’re The Hammer, Some Days You’re The Nail. He told me this the day he won his third National Championship...and he told me again when he blew out his knee a few months before the Olympic Trials.
After twenty years of Judo, I know what it’s like being the nail. I’ve got the dents, dings, and flat head to prove it. Being a martial artist isn’t easy, and getting banged up is just something we have to get used to. Over time, we learn that scrapes and bruises come with the territory but only by looking past them can we achieve our goals.
My friend was told that for his type of knee injury it would take major surgery and 9 months of rehab to get back on the mat. He did it in three. Entire days he spent in the weight room with his cast on, always with a face twisted in pain. Two weeks after his surgery he was back on the Judo mat doing everything he was capable of, which wasn’t much having only one usable leg. Defying all expectations, he went on to make that Olympic team.
Carbon atoms under extreme heat and pressure over a long period of time turn into diamonds, the hardest substance known to man. Every night we come to class, we are exposing ourselves to that same process. Training and practice are the martial artist’s way to become like that beautiful, virtually indestructible gemstone.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re still going to stub our toes, get paper cuts, and catch colds. We’re still human when all is said and done. What we are hardening is our will, our minds, and our spirits. Anyone can learn to throw a decent punch or do a successful turnover. We become diamonds not in the sense that our technique is perfect, or that our bodies are invincible, but in that our will can never be broken.
We learn to overcome every obstacle. We train ourselves so that we may not collapse under every pressure, not be crushed beneath every weight. The harder we practice, the stronger we become...and the easier it is to handle all the tough things life throws at us when we look up and realize that the hammer is going to fall.
Yours in the Martial Arts,
-Josh Peterson
Students of the Month:
Michelle & Matthew Miller
The brother and sister team of Matthew and Michelle Miller are transfer students from a different martial arts school. Many times that transition is difficult for young students, but not to these dedicated martial artists. They embraced our system wholeheartedly, and have made this a better dojo. Michelle started when the punch block kick contest was nearly half over. She did an amazing performance and came very close to overcoming the leader, Evan Li. In fact, he was so far ahead he started to coast, so Michelle made him a better martial artist by challenging his 1st place position.
Matthew was apprehensive the first time he attended a board breaking class. After a little encouragement he realized how good he could be, and won the breaking contest in that class.
He asked his mom if I gave him the first place ribbon because I was just being nice. All veteran students here know that you don’t get anything here unless you earn it, not even a compliment. All is earned. Both Michelle and Matthew come to ever class focused and ready to work. They are helping to make the Elite Dojo a great one. Congratulations Michelle and Matthew on being named the students of the month.
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