al awards, new and advanced black belts and the outstanding black belt of 2010.Keisha Kavalauskas was honored as the Stevens Taekwondo Academy ‘s 16th Outstanding Black Belt of the year with a plaque presented by her own mother, Joyce Kavalauskas. Keisha recently earned her second degree black belt. This award was especially significant because it was established as a memorial to Keisha’s older sister, M. J. Attoe, who died in a 1994 car accident. Ten of the past 15 recipients were present for this occasion.
Joyce Kavalauskas then surprised Dr. Stevens by presenting him with a special
Ou
tstanding Black Belt and Instructor award. Kavalauskas cited the 30 years Stevens has been teaching taekwondo in Stevens Point and the many people he has influenced through the Stevens Taekwondo Academy.A mother-son duo tested successfully together for sixth degree black belt. Hilde Henkel, 59, and son John Henkel, 30, teamed up to perform the ji-tae form together before giving speeches based on their required papers. Hilde’s topic was “Taekwondo: Training for Life and Success” while John Henkel spoke on the “Teaching the Art of Taekwondo.” John also broke three boards in a spinning hook speed break.
John Henkel began training in t
aekwondo in 1989 and has been training and teaching taekwondo ever since. He continued active during his years at UW-Platteville and UW-Madison, and now teaches both at J. P. Wood Martial Arts in Palatine IL and at Motorola, Schaumberg Il, where he is a senior engineer in research and development.Hilde Henkel has trained at Stevens Taekwondo continuously since April 1991. She assists in teaching at the school, is a certified taekwondo referee, teaches self-defense and is publicity director for the school. Hilde is a Wood County Board supervisor.
John and Hilde are not the first in their family to achieve this ranking. Hilde’s husband Mark and their older son, James, reached sixth degree three years ago. Dwight Stevens, who holds both seventh and eighth degree ranks in taekwondo, believes the family may be the only one with four sixth degree black
belts. All black belts awarded at Stevens Taekwondo Academy include Kukkiwon certificates, from the World Taekwondo Federation headquarters, recognized around the world.Chong Chang earned first degree black belt ranking with his performance of koryo and all eight taegeuk forms, sparring and advanced kick combination . Chang broke his board with a butterfly kick and then successfully answered question on taekwondo history and tenets.
Thomas Lima entered the black belt ranks as deputy black belt. He demonstrated advanced kick combinations, sparring and all eight taegeuk forms before break his board with a back spinning side kick.
High blue belt Nathan Hilgart won first place for excellence in te
sting and high blue belt Dustin Murrey took second place from among more than 60 students. Grandmaster Dwight Stevens also presented a special trophy for “Indomitable Spirit” to Dennis Freund for his persistence and progress despite physical difficulties.The testing was judged by Grandmaster Stevens, assisted by Mark Henkel and John Henkel.
Black Belt News
Just as the testing began, Senior Master James Henkel called to announce the birth of a daughter, Rhiannon, in Maryland. The third generation of Henkel black belts has begun!
2011 YMCA Class Schedule
Jan 4 First class of new session
Feb 10 Last class of the session
Feb 13 Testing 1:30 p.m.
NO CLASSES Feb 15 & 17
Feb 22 First class of new session
NOTE Mar 22 & 24 NO classes (spring break)
April 7 Last class of session
April 10 Testing 1:30 p.m.
NO CLASSES April 12 & 14
April 19 First class of new session
May 26 Last class of session
NO CLASSES May 31 & June 2
June 7 First class of new session
June 12 Testing 1:30 p.m.
July 14 last class of session
NO CLASSES July 16 & 18
