More than 50 taekwondo students successfully tested for new belt ranks at the Stevens Point YMCA recently, with three achieving or advancing in the black belt ranks.
Jerry Hajewski advanced to fifth degree black belt in testing that included performance of the sip-jin form and an oral presentation on the positive effect of physical training such as taekwondo on brain development as measured in test scores. Hajewski broke three boards using three techniques: an elbow strike, a front snap kick and a back kick all while performing tricks with a jump rope.
Shawn Strunsee also successfully tested for fifth degree black belt. After his demonstration of the sip-jin form, Strunsee spoke on the training and preparation needed for board breaking. He broke a self-held board with a one-inch punch and then broke three concrete bricks with a palm heel strike.
Entering the black belt ranks as a deputy black belt, Kim Richardson demonstrated five taegeuk forms, breaking her board with a 360 spinning side kick and then sparring twice.
Three trophies for testing excellence were also awarded. New blue belt Anthony Basile won first place, blue belt Al Jankowski earned second place and high blue belt Macey Shutter took third place.
Grandmaster Dwight Stevens judged the testing, assisted by senior master Bill Dragolovich and visiting master Jim Lowe.
Contributing rightly: Master Kim Buehler led a taekwondo mini-class for the Family Fitness night at Auburndale Elementary school in January.
Assisting were Master Karrie Lane, Sara Shuler, Melvin Cornelius, Angel Thurber and JP Bunn.Contributing rightly, part 2: Masters Kim Buehler and Karrie Lane filled in when Master Hilde Henkel was out of town for the February testing. They gathered information for the newsletter, took photos and transmitted them to Master Hilde. Karrie had to help Hilde work around some technical difficulties, but it did work out.
Also Contributing Rightly: Dr. Ron Locascio has been giving mini-classes in self defense for health professionals who are often coming and going at late hours. What a great idea!
Change in status and location: Congratulations to third dan black belt Bethany Reed, daughter of Master Jill Reed, who became Bethany Law in a lovely ceremony in Windsor, Wisconsin last month. Russ and Bethany now reside in Michigan. Black belts sharing the day (besides the mother of the bride of course) were Dr. Dwight Stevens, Mark and Hilde Henkel, Dan Zierke, Dr. George Davidson, Jamie Chariton, Justin and Kim Buehler, Karrie Lane and Kevin, Krysti, Kolby and Kahner Konopacky. They were all a little distracted by the concurrent Packers’ playoff game.
At December testing, all past recipients of the black belt of the year award were invited to attend as the 16th and final award was presented. Those present were: Kevin Konopacky, Jill Reed, Karen Johnson, Kim Wanta Buehler, Hilde Henkel, Carol Landrath, John Henkel, Karrie Wanta Lane, Mark Henkel, and Keisha Kavalaskas were able to pose for this picture with Dr. Stevens and Joyce Kavalaskas. Absent were Bill Dragolovich, Karen Root Craig, Ben Nummelin, Teri Jenkins, Dan Zierke and Jim Henkel, who became a father that day.
