October Testing and News

Taekwondo students of all skill levels tested successfully for new levels at the YMCA recently.

Mandi Hoppa achieved fourth degree black belt and junior master level as she demonstrated block kick combinations and board breaking, using working step back spinning side kicks to break two boards. Hoppa and Meghan LaPoint performed the pyungwon form in close synchronization as LaPoint completed the first portion of her test for fourth degree.

Keith Iris, Jr. moved up to third degree black belt with sparring, kick combinations and the performance of the taebek form. Iris broke a board with a spinning hook kick.

Keisha Kavalauskas tested successfully for second degree black belt, using a back spinning side kick for her break and demonstrating sparring, kick combinations and the keumgang form.

Alison McLeod and Yingsu Her earned their full first degree black belts as they demonstrated koryo and four taegeuk forms, advanced sparring skills and advanced kick combinations. Both answered questions in an oral exam from other black belts. McLeod smashed two boards on first try with an explosive spinning side kick. Yingsu Her broke one board with a flying sidekick over five people and then another with a spinning flying side kick over two people.

More than seventy-five color belts earned promotion with three trophies awarded for excellence. Yellow belt Reuben Yamochi won first place, high blue belt Mark Regnitz took second place and high yellow belt Melissa Akright earned third place.

The testing was judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens, senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich and Master Jerry Hajewski of Milwaukee.

Other News

Indomitable Spirit: Recently Dr. Dwight Stevens suffered the loss of his grandson Christopher, who died suddenly in Colorado. Dr. Stevens led YMCA classes, presided over the October testing here and then led class and judged testing at his son Grandmaster Robert Stevens school at the Denver Athletic Club the night prior to the memorial services. This is a true demonstration of indomitable spirit. Our deepest sympathy to Dr. Stevens and the entire family for their loss.

Contributing Rightly: Assisting at the very large October testing were the following black belts: Karen Johnson, Carol Landrath, Hilde Henkel, Teri Jenkins, Jill Reed, Kim Buehler, Karrie Lane, Mandi Hoppa, Steve Decker, Keith Iris, Kim Regnitz, Meghan LaPointe, Alison McLeod, Keisha Kavalauskas, Bri Tarpey. The testing panel assisting Dr. Stevens included Bill Dragolovich, Mark Henkel and Jerry Hajewski.

Show Your School Spirit: Master Jill Reed is placing a second order for the high quality T-shirts she designed. Note the characteristics of good taekwondo practitioners listed on the front. “Stevens Taekwondo” and red kickers (male and female) appear on the back. If you missed the first order and would like to have one or more of these great, at-cost shirts for $10, contact Master Jill Reed ASAP at 715-252-1521, jillreed@charter.net.

A Sport for all Ages: Master Hilde Henkel recently led a demo/mini taekwondo class for the oldest group ever at Harmony Village, an assisted living facility in Stevens Point. Seniors with ages ranging upwards to 95 years old learned about blocking techniques and self-defense from a seated position.. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn something new was amazing and inspiring.

Tournament Results: High yellow belt Cody Olski placed second in 8 & 9 year-old sparring at his first tournament, the American Classic Taekwondo Championship, held in West Bend September 25. Cody trains at the Port Edwards YMCA under Stephen Decker.

August Testing & Summer Activities

Powerful kicks and precision form performances displayed the skills of five Stevens Taekwondo Academy students earning black belts at the Stevens Point YMCA recently.

Brother-sister duo Max and Riely Held earned their second-degree black belts, joining their father Mickey Held at that rank, with impressive performances of the keumgang form and advanced kick and sparring techniques. Both Max and Riely powered through two-inch boards cleanly on first efforts with back spinning side kicks.

Bryant Hedrington and Sara Shuler stepped up to full black belt status following their performance of koryo and four taegeuk forms, sparring and kick combinations and an extensive oral exam on taekwondo. Shuler, who was sponsored by Master Jill Reed, broke a board with a back spinning side kick. Hedrington, sponsored by third-degree Hannah Lovejoy, snapped his board with a back spinning hook kick.

Matt Lopez achieved deputy black belt rank with his performance of five taegeuk forms, demonstration of advanced kicks and sparring skills and a board break using an autobahn into a back spinning hook kick.

More than thirty color belt students were promoted in the testing with three awarded trophies for excellence. New high green belt Laura Borth earned the first place trophy, blue belt Joy Steltzer won second place and high yellow belt Andrew Krause took home the third place trophy.

The testing was judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens, assisted by Senior Master Mark Henkel and Master Matt Ford of Cincinnati.

Stevens Taekwondo Invitational is slated for September 18 in Port Edwards Wi. Registration deadline, September 4, is fast approaching. Visit stevenstkd@wikispaces.com/ for information and registration forms.

School Demo: Demo coordinator Master Kim Buehler and Master Justin Buehler, assisted by Port Edwards instructor Stephen Decker, led a taekwondo demo out in the heat and humidity of Krazy Days in Stevens Point July 16. Students demonstrated workup techniques, kick combinations, bag work on both heavy and bags and focus paddles, forms, sparring and board-breaking.

Colby Davis, Brook Decker, Bryant Hedrington, Allison McLeod, Daniel Naipat, Sara Shuler, Joy Steltzer and Ben Strojny participated.

International Recognition: Grandmaster Robert Stevens, son of Dr. Stevens, received international recognition recently. He attended the week-long 20th Annual Foreign Instructor Training Course in Seoul, South Korea and was awarded a citation as the “Most Excellent Student” of the 160 attending from 30 countries, receiving, in addition, a gold watch from the kukkiwon.

Referee Training: Black belts from all over the state attended referee training and certification hosted by Mr. Stephen Decker, instructor for the Stevens Taekwondo Academy - South Wood County YMCA, at Pachelli Catholic High School August 6. Participants were trained by Senior Master John Seiber, national chairman of referees for the USA Taekwondo, in the latest hand signals, terminology and requirements for referee and corner judging. The instruction included an excellent practical period and a final written exam.

Local black belts attending for updated or first-time training included: Senior Master Karen Johnson, Senior Master Mark Henkel, Master Hilde Henkel, Master Ron Locascio, Master Jill Reed, Ben Nummelin, Steve Decker, Tom Lisack, Michelle Ormund, Lauren Shimulunas, Kim Regnitz, Bridgette Williams and Cory Lesperence.

This posting was delayed, I apologize, but lightning strikes and frying of internet cards do not happen too often, Thank God! I am grateful there were no injuries, and no major damage, and for the photo contributions from both Master Karrie Lane and Jeff Lane.

Referee Seminar--Sign up Now

Date:	Saturday, August 7, 2010
Time:	10:00am - 5:00pm
Location:	Pacelli High School, 1301 Maria Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

On August 7th, 2010, Steve Decker and Stevens Taekwondo of Port Edwards YMCA will be hosting a USA-Taekwondo Referee Seminar presented Mr. John Seiber, the USA-Taekwondo Referee Chairman.

All black belts AND red belts are invited to attend this seminar which will be an in depth look at the rules and regulations of competition Tae Kwon Do. All attendee's will receive the official rule book and referee guidelines ($10.00 value) as well as Referee certification through USA-Taekwondo.

Requirements:
Must be 16 years or older if you want certification from the seminar
Must be a member of USA-Taekwondo prior to attending the seminar
Red belts will receive a provisional referee certification that becomes a full
D-2 certification upon advancement to 1st Dan.

Cost:
$50.00 seminar fee is mandated by USA-Taekwondo and is not
negotiable. The fee goes toward the cost of hosting the seminar as
well as for the cost of materials and certifications.

NO ONE from Stevens Taekwondo will be profiting from this seminar!

PLEASE NOTE: If you were already certified at a particular level through USTU (United States Taekwondo Union), your previous certifications will be honored and you will be re-instated and activated at your previous level or the next higher level, depending on your particular circumstance.

What to bring?
Bring your USAT Membership card
Bring your current dan/gup certificate
Bring a pen or pencil and some paper for notes
Come in your Do Bak and if you are a fighter, bring your sparring gear!!!

All information regarding this seminar is public and available on www.USA-Taekwondo.us, or the link below.

http://assets.usoc.org/assets/documents/attached_file/filename/24679/Referee_Code_of_Operations.doc

http://usa-taekwondo.us/events/tag/7087

http://usa-taekwondo.us/events/4162

June Belt Promotion Testing

Seven Stevens Taekwondo Academy students successfully tested for five black belt levels at the YMCA Sunday.

Jill Reed became the first of the six black belts in her family to achieve fourth dan master level. Reed smashed two boards with a spinning side kick, demonstrated the pyongwon form and gave a presentation on self defense.

Elizabeth Lovejoy and Ryan Zorn earned third dan black belts as they performed the taebek form, advanced sparring skills and advanced kick combinations. Both executed speed breaks using the back spinning hook kick.

Advancing to second dan black belt, Thomas Lisack demonstrated the keumgang form, advanced kick combinations and sparring before snapping two boards with a working step back spin sidekick.

Gregg Hakomaki II achieved full first dan black belt level with an impressive performance of koryo and four taegeuk forms, advanced sparring skills and an explosive jump spin sidekick for his board break. Hakomaki also passed an oral exam in taekwondo rules and tenets.

Entering the black belt ranks as deputy black belts (bo dan), ten-year-old Kolby Davis and twelve-year-old Seth Zorn performed five taegeuk forms, sparred and did kick combinations. Davis broke his board with a working step back spinning sidekick, while Zorn snapped his with an autobahn kick.

Of the 35 color belt student testing for higher rank, three were awarded trophies for excellence in the testing. New high blue belt Daryl Woods won first place, green belt Julie Shutter took second place and green belt Nicolas Misiewicz took home the third place trophy.

The testing was judged by Grandmaster Dight Stevens, his son Grandmaster Roberty Stevens of Denver, and senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

Masters Training

Grandmaster Robert Stevens premiered his seminar "Master Instructor Development Program" to sixteen high ranking black belts at Stevens Taekwondo Academy: A New Way of Life June 11. Grandmaster Dwight Stevens introduced his son, who is the director and master instructor for the taekwondo program at the Denver Athletic Club, as 'the real thing" in taekwondo mastery, with three decades of experience.

Grandmaster Robert Stevens deiscussed the various elements of leadership, different perceptions of skills and ethics and then led the group in specific application scenarios. Stevens also reviewed sel-defense techniques for use against weapons and multiple opponents.

"I thought it was an excellent seminar in prectical leadership," said Senior Master Mark Henkel.

Grandmaster Robert Stevens noted that Stevens Taekwondo Academy is one of the few schools in the nation where that many high-ranking black belts could be assembled for such taining. Attending the seminar were sixth dan black belts Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich, fifth dan black belts John Henkel, Hilde Henkel, Carol Landrath and Dr. Ron Locascio, fourth dan black belts Justin Buehler, Kim Buehler, Annette Danczyk, Jerry Hajewski, Karrie Lane, Jill Reed and Daniel Zierke, third dan black belts Stephen Decker and Mandi Hoppa and second dan black belt Kris Strohbusch. Each received a certificate and a belt rank lapel pin.

Both Stevens expressed appreciation for the use of the excellent facilities at Senior Master Karen Johnson's studio.

Masters Workshop June 12

Register now for the special Masters Workshop on June 12 in Stevens Point. This unique training session with Grandmaster Robert Stevens is open to black belts 3rd dan and above. The workshop will include handouts, power point presentation, practical applications and certificates.

Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m. June 12
Location: Stevens Taekwondo Academy: A New Way of Life, 210 Isadore Street, Stevens Point
Cost: $30, payable to Stevens Taekwondo Academy, send to Dr. Dwight Stevens, 3323 Echo Dells Ave, Stevens Point WI 54481
Attire: do-bok preferred

April Testing and News

Two mother-son taekwondo duos achieved black belts in the testing Sunday at Stevens Point YMCA.

Kim Regnitz and her eleven-year-old son Dylan Regnitz earned second-degree black belts following their demonstration of advanced kick combinations, sparring and the keumgang form. Kim smashed through a two-inch board with a back spinning sidekick, while Dylan used a working step back spinning sidekick for his standard board.

Lauren Shimulunas moved up to full first degree black belt with her successful back spinning hook speed break, sparring and kicks. Shimulunas also performed koryo and four taegeuk forms and answered all questions in an oral exam on taekwondo history, tenets and creeds.

Pamela Lake and her son Leland Lake, Max Pfeiffer, Chong Chang and twelve-year-old Ginny Neufeld joined black belt ranks as deputy black belts. this group demonstrated five taegeuk forms, sparring and kick combination skills. Pamela Lake broke her board with a butterfly kick, Leland Lake with a working step back spinning sidekick and Pfeiffer used a jumping back spinning sidekick. Chang snapped his board with a back spinning hook kick and Neufeld used a working step back spinning sidekick.

More than 80 students tested for higher color belts, with three earning trophies for excellence. New high yellow belt Norman Chandler won first place, Judah Ford earned his high green belt and second place and high yellow belt Stephon Freeman took home the third place trophy.

Black belts Jill Reed, Ben Nummelin, Elizabeth Lovejoy and Hannah Lovejoy demonstrated a sharp compass-point koryo for the 200 people present for the testing. Grandmaster Dwight Stevens judged the event, assisted by senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

Black Belt News

MASTERS SEMINAR coming June 12! Mark your calendars and check back for more information soon. Grandmaster Robert Stevens will be teaching a half-day seminar for taekwondo masters (and those who anticipate testing for fourth dan during 2010). This will be the Saturday before the June belt promotion testing. Time, cost, location and topics will be posted when available.

Bri Tarpey tested successfully for her second dan black belt, prior to the April testing, due to scheduled knee surgery. congratulations and best wishes for a rapid recovery!

Master Kevin Klapoetke has been collecting data for his doctoral thesis at CERN, the super-collider under the mountains in Switzerland, for the past several weeks, during the historic and successful efforts in April. Note that none of the fears of black holes destroying the Earth proved to be valid.

Tournament News

Three STA students participated in the 33rd Annual Pan-American Open Taekwondo Championship, held in Rochester Minnesota April 10.

2nd dan black belt Ryan Franckowiak grabbed first place for men's black belt board breaking with his flying sidekick over a table and through three boards. He also place third in sparring. Bo dan black belt Greg Hakomaki place second in sparring. Green belt Kim Richardson won first place in forms, performing taegeuk sah jang and first in sparring, adding a second place in breaking , using a combination of a back spinning hook kick speed break, a self-held punch, and a spinning sidekick through two boards.

YMCA Taekwondo Schedule

NO CLASSES April 13 & 15
April 20 First class of spring session
May 27 Last class of spring session
NO CLASSES June 1 & 3
June 8 First class of summer session I
June 12 Masters Seminar Grandmaster Robert Stevens
June 13 Belt Promotion Testing 1 p.m. All Purpose Room
July 15 Last class of summer session I
NO CLASSES July 20 & 22
July 27 First class of summer session II
August 15 Belt Promotion Testing 1 p.m. All Purpose Room
Sept. 2 Last class of summer session II
NO CLASSES September 7 & 9
Sept. 14 First class fall session I
October 10 Belt Promotion Testing 1 p.m. Gym
October 21 Last class of fall session I
NO CLASSES October 26 & 28
Nov. 2 First class of fall session II
December 9 Last class of fall session II
December 11 Black Belt Christmas party
December 12 Belt Promotion Testing 1 p.m. Gym