Attendance Recognition

Perfect Attendance – Student attended every class over the course of the month.

Outstanding Attendance – Student attended a minimum of three classes per week, every week for the entire month.

Honorable Attendance – Student attended a minimum of two classes per week, every week for the entire month.

July 2015

Perfect Attendance

  • Zukas K.

Outstanding Attendance

  • Brandon D.
  • Jeremy J.

Honorable Attendance

  • Griffin L.
  • Ty V.

June 2015

Outstanding Attendance

  • Brandon D.
  • Griffin L.
  • Lilija C.
  • Walter A.

Honorable Attendance

  • Keegan S.
  • Keith S.
  • Ty V.

April 2015

Perfect Attendance

  • Kendra B.

Outstanding Attendance

  • Lilija C.
  • Walter A.

Honorable Attendance

  • Evan M.
  • Griffin L.
  • Heidi B.
  • Jacob R.
  • Joesph R.

March 2015

Perfect Attendance

  • Kendra B.
  • Walter A.
  • Lilija C.

Outstanding Attendance

  • George D.

Honorable Attendance

  • Evan M.
  • Fran R.
  • Griffin L.
  • Joesph R.
  • Keegan S.
  • Keith S.

IKKF Kobudo Seminar

On Sunday, May 3rd, our dojo hosted Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman and Hanshi Ann-Marie Heilman for a seminar on Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo.  Over a little more than 5 hours, participants received instruction in Bo, Tunfa and Sai – several of whom learned new kata.

This was the Heilman’s third year attending the Shidokan tournament and offering a kobudo seminar the following day.  It was their first visit to Rising Sun Martial Arts.  We are pleased to announce that the seminar was full, with 22 students on the floor – 12 of which were from our dojo.

Many thanks to the Heilmans for a great seminar, as well as to all the participants who came to train and learn – especially those from our guest dojo:  Focus Karate Academy, Porter Karate Academy, and Alpha Martial Arts Academy!

34th Annual ShidokanUSA Tournament

Let is Let it be known that the following students represented our dojo well at the annual Shidokan tournament on Saturday, May 2, 2015. They all performed well, and each was a credit to our school. I am proud of each and every one of them.
-Kyoshi

Calla B.
Evan M.
Fran R.
George D.
Jacob R.
Joseph R.
Karrie W.
Kendra B.
Walter A.
Zach B.

Altogether, our dojo brought home…
• 3 First Place Medals
• 4 Second Place Medals
• 2 Third Place Medals
• 3 Fourth Place Medals

Spring 2015 Black Belt Promotions

(l-r) Sempai John Cunningham, Zach Belisle, Shidoin Tim Cunningham, Evan Miller, Shidoin Griffin LaBrie, Shidoin Susannah Colby.

 

Last Saturday, March 28, saw three young men complete an exhaustive examination of their knowledge of traditional karate.  Timothy Cunningham, 16, of New London, Zachary Belisle, 12, of Sunapee, and Evan Miller, 12, of Bradford were awarded Black Belt ranking on Saturday, April 4th.

Tim Cunningham has trained in karate at Rising Sun since he started in late 2004.  In 2009, he earned his Junior Black Belt.  (International standards prohibit anyone below the age of sixteen from holding the full Black Belt certification.)  At this ceremony, Tim transitioned from 4th Degree Junior Black Belt to 3rd Degree Adult Black Belt, one of only a handful of students to reach this level.  He was also awarded the title of Shidoin (Apprentice Instructor), in recognition of his work as a teaching assistant.  When asked what earning his Black Belt meant to him, Tim responded, “Black Belt, to me, is a symbol of growth in a positive manner.  Through my eleven years of training, I have been taught to use karate not only as a method of self-defense, but as a tool to enhance one’s character.  Self-control, mental discipline, respect – all things that were previously unattainable to me – are now embedded in my lifestyle.  Where once I had problems with anger and motivation, I now find patience and positive spirit – taught through physical conditioning and learned through mental honing.”

Zach Belisle and Evan Miller were promoted to the level of 1st Degree Junior Black Belt.  Between them, they have almost a decade of experience in karate.  As Zach put it, “A Black Belt is more than just a belt on you; it shows how much hard work you have put into karate and that you are disciplined.”  But, while earning a Black Belt means attaining a long-term goal, neither of them see this as the end of their study.  “To me,” explains Evan, “being a Black Belt is a symbol of how far I have come and how far I will go.”  Both young men are regular fixtures at the school, and often assist in teaching the lower belts.

Also recognized at the ceremony were Griffin LaBrie and Susannah Colby, who were awarded the level of Apprentice Instructor, and John Cunningham who was promoted from Shidoin to Sempai (Assistant Instructor).

Rank Test Weekend!

This weekend saw some great performances on the dojo floor.  Friday night was the Kyu-Rank (below Black Belt) Test.  Everyone did well; all present passed their tests.  Beth and Fran Renaud were awarded their Rokyu level (Green Belt) in a special ceremony at the end of the night.  Other kyu-rank levels will be awarded in class this week.

Saturday afternoon was the semi-annual Black Belt Test.  We had three individuals test: Zach Belisle and Evan Miller tested for the level of Joshu-Shoban (1st Degree Junior Black Belt).  Tim Cunningham is in the process of transitioning from Junior Black Belt to Adult Black Belt, and tested for the levels of Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan-ho (1st, 2nd and probationary 3rd Degree Black Belt).  All three gave impressive performances – most notably on their kata bunkai (analysis of selected forms) – and passed with flying colors.

The Black Belt promotion ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 4th, at 10am.  Families and friends are most welcome to come and be part of the celebration, as this event is open to the public.

Green Mountain Open – Tournament Champion

Congratulations to Sensei Jill Chastenay, who took two first place trophies and won the Female Black Belt Grand Championship at the Green Mountain Open in Rutland, VT, on Saturday, March 28th.

For a complete list of our dojo’s tournament champions, click on the “Trainers of Champions!” link on the front page of our website.

Kobudo Cook-Out

On Saturday, August 2nd, we held our annual Kobudo Cook-Out.  Kobudo students gathered to perform maintenance on both their personal kobudo equipment as well as the dojo’s.  Bo, tunfa, and nunchaku were sanded and oiled; sai were polished to a shine.

Many thanks for those who participated.  Kobudo class credit has been awarded for this event, as care of your equipment is part of the program!

Congratulations, Sensei Gallup!

Congratulations to Sensei Gallup, who tested for and received her Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) certification in traditional Okinawan Kobudo on Saturday, July 12, 2014. She is now the highest ranking kobudoka (weapons student) in our dojo!

In addition, Sensei Gallup also holds the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in Goju Ryu Karate-do.

July 2014 Calendar and Events

Happy Summer! I hope this finds you well and in good spirits, and looking forward to Independence Day. Just a note to go along with this month’s dojo calendar, to highlight some of the upcoming events…

Starting this month, we will be moving to Summer Class Hours. This will affect some classes, but not all, and will run during the months of July and August.
• Mondays
o 5:05 – 5:35pm Junior Beginner
o 5:40 – 6:40pm Junior Novice/Intermediate
o 6:45 – 7:45pm Teen/Adult Novice/Intermediate
• Tuesdays
o 5:30 – 6:45pm Kobudo
o 6:45 – 7:15pm Teen/Adult Beginner
o 7:15 – 8:30pm Advanced
• Wednesdays
o 5:05 – 5:35pm Junior Beginner
o 5:40 – 6:40pm Junior Novice/Intermediate
o 6:45 – 7:45pm Teen/Adult Novice/Intermediate
• Thursdays
o 5:30 – 6:45pm Advanced
o 6:45 – 7:15pm Teen/Adult Beginner
• Fridays
o 5:05 – 5:35pm Junior Beginner
o 5:40 – 6:40pm Junior Novice/Intermediate
• Saturdays
o 10:00 – 11:00am Kobudo
o 11:05 – 12:05pm All Ages, Purple Belt & Above

Bring-A-Friend, Break-A-Board Night has been moved to Monday, July 7th. Cost is $5 per board. Each of our students will receive one free board for each non-karate friend whom they bring for this event. Please sign up for boards in advance, so that I can plan how many I need to have ready for you! Proceeds from this event go towards the dojo scholarship fund. (Note: Boards are available for anyone who is planning to bring a friend and break a board on Monday, June 30th, so no need to change plans if you were planning to attend on 6/30.)

Karate Camp will run the week of July 14-18 this year. This is open to kids aged 7 to 14, and runs from 9am until noon each day. As always, no karate experience is needed – camp features sessions for current karate students to work at their level, as well as sessions for new students to learn some basic techniques. (In fact, new students have the opportunity to complete the entire white belt curriculum in one week of camp, and then begin classes at the Purple Belt level.) Cost is $100 for the week; space is limited, and a $25 deposit will reserve your spot. Please note: you will receive a 10% discount for each non-karate friend that you bring to camp!

This month’s Special Topics Class will be held on Saturday, July 19th, from 11:05am to 12:05pm. The class will feature the Kata Ananku-Sho, the first kata of the Shorin Ryu Karate-do system. Participants must have Kata Gekisai Dai Ichi in order to attend. There is no cost for Special Topics sessions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a great day!

Kyoshi