Spirit week was well attended this year. This is a time when all AKMS students come together to train and work hard. It is a time of calisthenics, drills and critical skills performed to the best of your ability. It is a taste of what every class was like back in the day when they were all 1-1/2 to two hours long. When I was in Taekwondo Mr. Pina awarded one student who worked consistently hard throughout the year. In 1973 Venny Fragoza was the first student to receive that award. When I started Venny was a blue belt and was Mr. Pina’s right hand. The proper etiquette at that time was that no one ever spoke directly to the instructor. You address the highest ranking student who in turn would express your concerns to the instructor. Venny achieved the rank of red belt (equal to our brown belt today) before life and employment took him out of state. He ended up in a southern state training with Jim and Jenice Miller who were students of Allen Steen. Allen Steen was one of Jhoon Rhee’s original students. Venny taught me the Heian kata which we do to this day. Venny had moved back to Kansas and was living in Wichita. Several years ago he was on his way to work early in the morning and a vehicle rear ended him. He died as a result of his injuries. From the time I started teaching on my own we continued the Outstanding Student award in my schools. To keep his memory alive we renamed the award the Venny Fragoza Award for Outstanding Martial Artists. Venny wasn’t flamboyant; he was just a good basic and hard working practitioner.
Spirit Week Awards:
Jeff Geesling-Commitment and Dedication (No photo)
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| Natalie Williams awarded Honorable Mention for Outstanding Student of the year. |
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| Cristine Warring awarded Outstanding Adult Student of the year. |
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| Roy Johnson awarded Dedication and Commitment to American Karate. |
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| Everette Gould awarded Dedication and Commitment to American Karate. |
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| Charlie Miller awarded Honorable Mention for Outstanding Student of the year. |
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Chance Barr awarded Outstanding Youth Student of the year. |
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| Lisa Johnson awarded Honorable Mention for Outstanding Student of the year. |
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| Kristi Potter awarded Dedication and Commitment to American Karate |
TOURNAMENTS
Sam Price’s Summer Kick Off
Saturday June 21st, 2014
Jake Winters 1st Place Novice Kata, 2nd Place Novice Sparring
KANSAS SUNFLOWER STATE GAMES
Saturday July 12, 2014
Christ the King Church 25th and Wanamaker
Topeka, Kansas
CONTACT: Tony Mielenz, 785-554-4220, anthonymielenz@yahoo.com
The Sunflower State Games in Topeka is the largest amateur multi sport event in Kansas conducted annually in July. The martial arts games are scheduled the second weekend of July on the 12th. I hope as many of you can make the trip to Topeka in July. You can pre-register online. If you are going up the night before you may want to make your reservations now. We recommend the Club House Inn. If you can’t get in at the Club House there are many hotels in within several blocks. We will discuss getting together as a group later. Mr. Williams, Chief Instructor
COMING SOON!!! AMERICAN KARATE & FITNESS Is An ATTITUDE
The expansion is complete. We will use this space for class overflow, future seminars and an Aerobics program. We are still looking for an Aerobics Instructor that has experience in multiple programs including step, conventional, kettle bell, zumba and other aerobic exercise. The more versatile the skill set the better. If you know someone who is upbeat, high energy and interested in joining our team have them contact me at 620-665-3800 or email americankarate1@prodigy.net for more information. I currently have an aerobic kickboxing boot camp in the works for later this summer.
Mr. Williams, Owner/Instructor
BLACKBELT CLASS & MEETING
Saturday, July 19th 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
DISCIPLINE: HOW MARTIAL ARTS HELPS OUR KIDS
Our children face potentially life changing, if not life threatening, decisions every day. Drugs, bullies, violence, gangs, and predators wait around every corner; our children are their target. So how does a parent arm their children with the tools necessary to make the right decisions while they are not under our watchful eye? Confidence and discipline are the key, and martial arts can be the method.
So what is it about martial arts that is so influential on our kids? The main tenants of martial arts are discipline, honor, confidence, and perseverance. Each child is started in the program on a level playing field, and becoming more senior in the program ensures they respect the effort that got them to that level. Martial Arts is comprised of a set of choreographed moves called kata (forms) that progressively build to the next level of difficulty. Each set of moves rely upon knowledge of the previously learned moves for execution. The knowledge of these moves is tested by senior belt members in the organization, and recognized through a colored belt system.
Martial Arts is a proven effective method of building self-esteem, self-discipline, and goal oriented behavior. It also provides our children with the means to protect themselves when presented with a threat. Martial Arts are not the panacea to all of our children’s problems. It gives them a solid foundation to cope with the pressures each endures throughout childhood, setting the patterns and behaviors for a successful transition to adulthood.
Michael Sams, Student and free lance writer from North Austin Taekwondo, Austin Texas.
