Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:13:11 -0500
From: South Eastern Karate News
Subject: 18 area students awarded black belt ranks
SILER CITY, N.C. – Eighteen area martial arts students received black belt ranks last month in two ceremonies held by South Eastern Karate Association.
Master Instructor Peggy Jolly presented first-degree black belts to seven students during South Eastern Karate’s quarterly promotion exam on Dec. 11, while 11 black belt martial artists were promoted to a higher rank during a separate ceremony held one week earlier.
Family was the theme for the new black belts, with ranks awarded to two father-child pairs, one set of brothers and a son whose black-belt father had been assisting during the exam before belts were presented.
Frank Jackson and his daughter, Brianna, of Sanford were one of the
parent-child pairs. Frank studied martial arts in junior high school
but gave it up when he joined the U.S. Navy. He resumed more than
three years ago with Brianna and other members of his family.
The return was a challenge for the 40-year-old, mainly trying to get
his body to do what he thought it should. But the process gave him
both a sense of confidence and humility.
“Martial arts is a great skill,” he says. “It gives you exercise. It
gives you discipline. It gives you confidence in yourself and your
abilities. Those things can help in all areas of your life.”
Brianna, 14, joined in because it was something interesting and new.
In addition to finding her niche in kicks and sparring, Brianna also
appreciates the confidence she found while leading class.
“You have to know what you’re doing and explain it well enough so
people can know what they’re doing,” she says. “Speaking in front of
people has helped for presentations in school.”
Kevin and John Thomas “J.T.” Kirkman II, the other father-child duo
from Sanford, started training together about four years ago. Kevin,
the 48-year-old father, has particularly enjoyed sharing training
time with his son.
Learning forms, choreographed patterns of techniques used in
training, was challenging at times but also taught lessons that
extend beyond class. Developing control of the movements and being
able to concentrate on what you’re doing, Kevin says, are among the
important lessons he’s learned.
For J.T., 11, forms also were a challenge – especially Ba Sai, one of
the more complicated ones required for the black belt. But his focus
has been on learning to defend himself, which is why he especially
enjoys sparring.
Brothers Hayden and Carter Willett of Bear Creek began martial arts
when they encountered bullying in other venues.
Hayden, who enjoys jumping and lunging kicks, believes learning
self-defense is important. “I’m better prepared because I’ve been
training hard,” says the 12-year-old. “This helps you out when
someone tries to hurt you.”
Carter, 10, agrees about working hard and being prepared to help
yourself or others in a difficult situation. He had other personal
motivation for training, as well. “My grandfather died and he fought
his sickness for a long time,” he explains. “I want to be like him
– strong and determined.”
John Suits received his black belt with his father also on the
training floor. When he was just five, John got tired of watching his
father and brother training alone. So, he walked into the office and
asked Head School Instructor Mark Ellington if he could begin
training, too.
“I didn’t want to sit in the audience and watch,” explains John, now
8. “I thought it looked like fun.”
Apparently it was, because the Liberty resident has worked hard to
learn challenging kicks, especially jump turning kicks that require
students to remain in the air long enough to complete the technique.
Parents were awarded the rank of First Dan, or first-degree black
belt, while the children were awarded the rank of First Dan Junior, a
designation used by South Eastern Karate Association for martial
artists under the age of 18.
Upper black belt ranks awarded during the earlier ceremony were:
* Michael Snyder, Liberty, 4th Dan Instructor
* Wendy Page Taylor, Carthage, 4th Dan
* William “Chip” Pate, Pittsboro, 3rd Dan Instructor
* Justin Miller, Liberty, 3rd Dan
* Keith Suits, Liberty, 3rd Dan
* Shelby McCoy, Pittsboro, 2nd Dan
* Brian Walshaw, Sanford, 2nd Dan
* Rachel Spoon, Pittsboro, 2nd Dan Junior
* Kay Spoon, Pittsboro, 2nd Dan
* Lacy Petty, Siler City, 2nd Dan
* Kim Garrett, Liberty, 2nd Dan
Master Jolly says it’s extremely unusual for this many students to receive black belt ranks. “Usually, we have two or three students
receiving one of these ranks,” she says. “But it’s a testimony to the
students’ dedication that so many have continued to train and work
hard.”
Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Siler City – with a class primarily for children from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and another class primarily for adults from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Liberty classes are Mondays
and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Details are available at southeasternkarate.com.
South Eastern Karate Association has taught Korean martial arts in
central North Carolina since 1982 to men and women from 5-years-old
to well past retirement age. Schools in Siler City and Liberty
feature instruction in self-defense and emphasize confidence,
physical fitness and self-discipline.