The Warrior & Dragon's Tale
An Academy for Martial Arts Training Publication
May 2008
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The Things Schools DO NOT Teach
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule
2: The world
won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish
something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule
3: You will NOT
make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president
with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule
4: If you think
your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule
5: Flipping
burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word
for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule
6: If you mess
up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn
from them.
Rule
7: Before you
were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way
from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about
how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the
parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own
room.
Rule
8: Your school
may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools,
they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you
want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to
ANYTHING in real life.
Rule
9: Life is not
divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are
interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule
10: Television
is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop
and go to jobs.
Rule
11: Be nice to nerds.
Chances are you'll end up working for one.
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WE ARE BLACK BELT SCHOOLS
NEW MEMBERS:
| Shin: |
Dylan Work & Rodrigo Burrios. |
| BBA: |
Colin Lee Sim & Amelia Zara Ali. |
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BIRTHDAYS: |
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BBA: |
John Kirsch, Sheel Patel & Ashley Frishman. |
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Shin: |
Scott Chau, Kathryn Lockwood, Justin Rooney,
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Black Belt Club: Tournament Forms
Master’s Club:
Demo Forms |
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UPCOMING EVENTS: May 2008
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| 3rd | Demo practice at BBA 1—3 pm |
6th |
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| 10th |
No Classes: SWAT all Blue & Black at Shin
8:30 am—4:30 pm—Cost $25.00 includes lunch |
| 11th |
Mother’s Day—show your appreciation! |
| 13th |
BUDDY DAY—register to bring a friend or relative to class |
| 17th |
Demo practice at SHIN 1—3 pm |
| 23th-26th |
SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY |
| 27th |
Bensalem Gup Test—NO CLASS (Lil Drgn 5pm—Gups 6 pm) |
| 29th |
Shin No Class: Gup Test (Lil Drgn Test 5pm,Gup Test 6pm) |
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We would like to welcome Michael Squillace as our newest Black Belt Club member |
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On April 12th, over 200 students from Region 8 tested for 1st to 3rd degree Black Belts. Our school was represented by Marc Frishman, Matthew Rittenhouse, Sheel Patel, Tyler Junod and Maggie Ems (as pictured from left to right). Perhaps the hardest job an instructor has is trying to decide who is ready to go to the Regional Black Belt test. There is a great deal that goes into the decision, especially with our youth members. In our Association there is no difference between a youth and adult Black Belt. Their abilities and responsibilities are the same. What must be considered? The students maturity level: Does the student have a serious approach to their training? The student’s technical ability: Does the student have the technical ability of a Black Belt? The student’s mental effort: Can they pass a written examination? The student’s technical knowledge: Can the student perform all of the open hand forms, weapon forms, 30 one step hand and 30 one step kick techniques, 20 self-defense techniques and 10 weapon self-defense techniques? Has the student shown dedication, discipline and determination? Is the student physically fit and do they have the stamina to complete a Black Belt Test? And, the list goes on…. My two daughters were the first two students at Shin Karate to ever be held back from taking the Black Belt test when their time had come because the instructor, now Master Godwin, did not believe they were ready. It hurt a great deal and I questioned whether I should test without them. It is hard to admit that he was right! As a result of his decision they became more focused and more determined. As a youth Black Belt my younger daughter, Nicole (who has just started training again) was untouchable in competition. Faith, who most of you know, has incredible training ethics, is a great leader and the 2007 Sr. Black Belt Women's Regional Champion. More recently, my grandson, Tyler, waited two years since making Blue Belt (4 BB cycles) before he was allowed to test. Having to tell him he was not ready to test was one of the most difficult things I have experienced in my life. If you, or your child is told they are not yet ready for the test I am sure it will hurt. Know that it hurts us, the instructors as well. Also, trust us in our decision. If you do not, then select a different school to train at. If you do, I promise to you that you or your child will be proud knowing that when the Black Belt is tied around their waist, that they showed dedication, discipline and desire, and that it was truly deserved. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST BLACK BELTS!
Snyder Middle School Memorial to Master Massaroni
Last month the Snyder Middle School haD “Cultural Day” which started with a memorial to Master Massaroni. As part of past Cultural Days at the school Master Mass spent the day there teaching Tang Soo Do. We were proud to be asked by Ms. Betsy Prichard if we would consider continuing the annual classes in his memory. All of the students were assembled in the auditorium, along with our team (Karen & Jason Jopko, David Perez, Drew Mayberry, Jacob Francisco, Kyle Leon, Charles Newkirk) led by Master Castelli. Master Massaroni’s mother and his wife were also present. Ms. Pritchard led the memorial with some comments and a period of silence and remembrance. Some of the other instructors for the day were running late, so our team performed on stage for the waiting students. With the team’s assistance, Master Castelli taught 5 one hour classes throughout the day
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MAY 6TH WILL MARK ONE YEAR SINCE MASTER MASSARONI PASSED. I WILL ASK EACH CLASS THAT DAY TO REMEMBER HIM IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND ALLOW EACH OF YOU WHO KNEW HIM AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, THE OPPORTUNJITY TO TELL US WHY HE WAS SO SPECIAL TO YOU.
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Black
Belt Test
********************************************************************* History of our Schools As time goes on and students come and go the history of our schools needs to be retold, or lost. Shin karate Institute in South Philly was started by Grandmaster Shin in the early 1980’s and has been World Tang Soo Do Headquarters from the Association’s beginning until now. The Gordon family: Master Gordon and his daughters Faith (3rd Dan) and Nicole (1st Dan) were among the first 80 students to enroll. Sah Bum Nim Gordon was the first White Belt to achieve the rank of Master from the school. Sah Bum Nim’s first part time school was in Center City at the University of the Arts. That is where his nephew, Louis Castelli joined as a White Belt and became his first student to start as a White Belt and achieve the rank of Master. He became the Head Instructor at Master Gordon’s first full time school – Black Belt Academy in Bensalem. Master Gordon became the General Manager of Kwa Chang Nim’s schools in the early 1990’s and Black Belt Academy took on the name of Shin Karate, joining the other two Shin schools in South Philadelphia and Trenton. In 1996, Master Gordon left Shin Karate and Bensalem became Black Belt Academy again. Master Castelli left Bensalem to become Chief Instructor at Shin Karate in South Philadelphia. Black Belt Academy went on to win 4 consecutive Region 8 Creativity Championships and was recognized as “School of the Year.” Other practitioners that started at Shin Karate in Philadelphia are Master Fisher (3 time Region 8 Champion and 2 time WTSDA Champion), Master DiPietro, Master Michelle Godwin (1st and only female to win the Region 8 Male Cup), Master to be Melchiorre, Sah Dan Cathy Hopkins, and Sam Dan Sal Convento (2004 WTSDA Champion). Mr. Massaroni (3 time Regional Champion and former WTSDA World Champion) is the Chief Instructor at Bensalem and will be the first student from Black Belt Academy to be promoted to Master (hopefully next year). The list of other regional champions (Linda Thoma, Stephanie Tran, Armando Priera, Vivian Horsee, Tatiana Bambushu, etc) from our schools is endless and we have two other WTSDA World Champions. In 2004 the Academy for Martial Arts Training (AMAT) was formed with full time schools in Bensalem (BBA) and South Philadelphia (Shin), as well as the after school programs they offer. And now, in 2006, we search for the Champions of the future!
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The Academy Presents…
2006 Shin Karate & Academy Awards
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Bensalem |
South Philly |
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Family of the Year |
Medica Family |
Burt-Brown-Lynch Family |
| Student of the Year | Christine Haubert | Zion Spearman |
| Jr. Student of the Year | Eric Burch | |
| Most Improved Student | Andrew Postosky | Nicole Longo |
| Jr. Most Improved Student | Maggie Ems | |
| Black Belt of the Year | Christina Kukawski | Darius White |
| Competitor of the Year | Faith Gordon | Scott Chau |
| Jr. Competitor of the Year | Kyle Leon | |
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Spirit Award |
Noel Ostapkovich | Jason Chau |
| SWAT Members |
Howell Hatton,
Ruth Snyder, John Kirsch, Alita Ostapkovich, Noel Ostapkovich, Christina Kukawski, Jesse Clawges-Griffith, Stefan Rojas, Jeff Adams |
Angela Pote,
Steven Fernands, Rochelle Fernands, Darius White, Margaret Nicholson, Cathy Hopkins |
2005 Shin Karate & Academy Awards
STUDENT’S OF THE YEAR: Drew Mayberry, Nabeela Al-Refai and Kathryn Lockwood.
MOST IMPORVED STUDENTS OF THE YEAR: Maggie Ems, Noel Ostapkovich, Brian Capuano
BLACK BELTS OF THE YEAR: Jessie Clawges-Griffith & Ruth Snyder
FAMILIES OF THE YEAR: The Chau Family and Frishman Family
SWAT MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Darius White
SPIRIT OF THE YEAR: Rochelle Fernands
COMPETITORS OF THE YEAR: Faith Gordon & Jacon Francisco
INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR: Maragret Nicholson
SWAT MEMBERS FOR THE YEAR: Howell Hatton, Jeff Adams, Martin Aquaro, Stephen Fernands, Pamela Thompson, Erin Caltaldi, Stephanie Hurd, Peter Di Pasquale, Michael Paziora, Noel and ALita Ostapkovich, Christine Kukawski, Vince Melchiorre, and Scott Chau.
2004 Annual Awards Winners………….
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BLACK BELT ACADEMY: Master’s Candidate Rob Massaroni, Chief Instructor |
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NOEL OSTAPKOVICH 2004 Black Belt Academy JUNIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
CARL BEER 2004 Black Belt Academy STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
| JAMIE MACOMBER
2004 Black Belt Academy JUNIOR MOST IMPROVED STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
FAITH GORDON 2004 Black Belt Academy MOST IMPROVED STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
| MAUREEN CARRY 2004 Black Belt Academy JR. BLACK BELT OF THE YEAR |
HOWELL HATTON 2004 Black Belt Academy BLACK BELT OF THE YEAR |
| JACOB FRANCISCO 2004 Black Belt Academy JUNIOR COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR |
DEBORAH CARRY 2004 Black Belt Academy COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR |
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The SIMPSON FAMILY 2004 Black Belt Academy FAMILY OF THE YEAR |
NEFATIA
MONTROSE 2004 BBA - ECS Beacon STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
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KHALED KAYED 2004 BBA - ECS Beacon MOST IMPROVED STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
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| BLACK BELT ACADEMY 2004 SWAT MEMBERS: HOWELL HATTON, RUTH SNYDER, JEFF ADAMS, C. DONALD WEINBERG, PAUL RERES, TONYA CAMILL, CHRISTINA KUKAWSKI, JESSE CLAWGES-GRIFFITH, MAUREEN CARRY. | |
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In recognition of their 2004 Contribution to
Black Belt Academy |
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SHIN KARATE INSTITUTE: Master Louis Castelli, Chief Instructor |
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| NICHOLAS TRAN 2004 Shin Karate Institute STUDENT OF THE YEAR |
VINCENT D’OTTAVIANO 2004 Shin Karate Institute MOST IMPROVED STUDENT |
| LOUIS CASTELLI,, JR. 2004 Shin Karate Institute JR. COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR |
STEPHANIE HURD 2004 Shin Karate Institute FEMALE COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR |
| SCOTT CHAU 2004 Shin Karate Institute SWAT MEMBER OF THE YEAR |
PAM THOMPSON 2004 Shin Karate Institute INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR |
| MICHELE AVALLONE 2004 Shin Karate Institute BLACK BELT OF THE YEAR |
THE FERNANDS’ 2004 Shin Karate Institute |
| PETER DE PASQUALE 2004 Shin Karate Institute 2004 SPIRIT OF THE YEAR |
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