Black Belt of the Year
Kevin Konopacky, third degree black belt, was honored by the Stevens Taekwondo YMCA Academy as the Outstanding Black Belt of 2009 on Sunday. Konopacky, president of Motors and controls of Wisconsin, has been a student at the YMCA school for seven years.
Konopacky, whose children Krysti, Kolby and Kohner all earned black belts, is the second member of his family to be selected as outstandy black belt. His sister, Jill Reed, was honored in 2005.
Taekwondo is "great for the mind, body and spirit," said Konopacky, adding that "It keeps me active and off the couch."
Konopacky was nominated for the award by fellow black belts who cited his contributions in teaching taekwondo and his determination to continue his training.
The awards, a memorial to black belt M. J. Attoe, who died in a 1994 car accident, was presented by Joyce Kavalauskas, Attoe's mother.
Taekwondo Students Advance
Ten martial artists earned new or higher black belts in promotion at the
YMCA on Sunday.Kyle Mealy, Ben Nummelin and Michelle Ormund all earned the rank of third degree black belt following rigorous testing of multiple kick combinations, the taebek form and intense sparring. Each broke a board with a spinning hook speed break.
Brian Hoch, Jaclyn Schmitz, Bri Tarpey and Keisha Kavalauskas achieved full first degree black belt status in extensive testing which included performing koryo and four taegeuk forms, advanced kick combinations, sparring and a thorough oral examination on the history, tenets and rules of taekwondo. Hoch broke his board with a back spinning side kick, while Schmitz snapped hers with a back spinning outside crescent kick. Tarpey used a 360-side kick for her break and Kavalauskas broke with a jumping back side kick.
Katie Rischar, Lauren Shimulunas and Sara Shuler entered black belt ranks as deputy black belts, following their demonstration of five taegeuk forms, kick combinations and sparring. Rischar broke a board with an autobahn back spinning side kick. Shimulunas used a switching front kick to break a board above her head, and Shuler snapped a board cleanly with a back spinning side kick.
Two students from the more than 70 color belts who tested were awarded trophies for excellence. Kimberly Richarson won first place as she double-tested for her high white and yellow belt, and high green belt Max Malek earned second place.
Granmaster Dwight Stevens was assisted in judging the testing by senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.
Christmas Party
More than 50 black belts and family members gathered at the Boston School Forest Saturday for a very convivial party with great food and time to chat and socialize. This year, one pinata was the target of Black Belts: The Next Generation, as the very young children showed great persistance in kicking until the candy was released. The second pinata was speedily dealt with by the third blindfolded kicker, Dylan Regnitz.
Doctor Stevens thanked everyone for the combined gifts, a certificate for five massages at Lotus Healing Arts, a copy of Family Power about the Lopez family, and deer whistles, given in hopes that 2010 will bring fewer contacts between whitetails and Dr. Stevens' car.
Black Belt News
Mandi Hoppa is back in the area and working out with the YMCA class.
Bridgette Magno made it over from La Crosse for the black belt party.
Ben Nummelin is okay after his sparring incident.
Officer Bethany Reed was delayed en route to the party needing deal with a drunk driver. Way to go!
