August 2014: a Jewel of a Testing

Newly advanced black belts with Dr. Stevens

jacob Zimmermann, Brayden Charneski, Jose Garcia

An elite group of high-ranking Stevens Taekwondo Academy black belts gathered recently at the YMCA for taekwondo testing with summer students, clearly demonstrating excellence and skills.

Matthew Ford, returning from Cincinnati, earned sixth degree black belt and the title of senior master, in addition to that of professor of management at Northern Kentucky University.  Ford performed the  rhythmically challenging jitae form before smashing four boards with a spinning sidekick.  Ford also submitted a research paper on the correlation of taekwondo mastery and current research on expert performance.  His oral presentation on the topic  emphasized the deliberate practice of core concepts.

Husband – wife duo Justin and Kimberly Buehler flawlessly demonstrated the sipjin form simultaneously as they achieved fifth degree black belt.  Justin shattered four boards with a 360-spinning sidekick and spoke on the respect expressed through etiquette in taekwondo, concluding “Etiquette in society is the oil that keep society working.”  Kimberly broke her boards on each kick of the autobahn, and spoke on the responsibilities of black belts, not only in teaching and techniques, but in modeling proper behavior, saying  “You are the face of our school.”

Mother- daughter duo Jill and Lydia Miller and Luke McChrystal successfully tested for first degree black belt, with excellent demonstrations of koryo and four taegeuk forms, advanced kick and sparring techniques and extensive oral examination on taekwondo and Korean history, symbolism, terminology and forms.  Jill and Lydia Miller each snapped a board with a working-step back spinning sidekick and 12-year-old McChrystal easily broke his board with an autobahn kick.  The Millers were sponsored for black belt by Senior Master Mark Henkel, and McChrystal was sponsored by black belt Ben Goodberlet.

Jeremy Kunst and Daniel Roach joined the black belt ranks after they demonstrated advanced kicking and sparring skills, and did five taegeuk forms.  Kunst easily broke his board with a spinning sidekick, and Roach preceded his spinning sidekick with a butterfly kick.

Three of the color belts who successfully tested also received trophies.  High yellow belt Jose Garcia won first place for excellence in testing.  High blue belts Brayden Charneski and Jacob Zimmerman were awarded second and third place for most improved students.  The testing was judged by an especially distinguished panel, as Stevens Taekwondo Academy founder and master instructor Dwight Stevens was assisted by his son Grandmaster Robert Stevens of Denver, and senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

Three Generations of Excellence

“The family that kicks together, sticks together” is the motto of Stevens Taekwondo Academy, where many family members have trained together, developing skills and closer relationships. 

At the most recent testing for belt promotion, this was highlighted when three generations of the Stevens family, all black belts, participated.  Dr. Dwight Stevens, founder and master instructor, judged the testing of color and black belts.  He was assisted by his son, Grandmaster Robert Stevens, who founded and leads the Stevens World Taekwondo school at the Denver Athletic club.

Three generations of Stevens black belts

Abby and Bella Stevens doing keumgang in unison

The third generation was represented by  Robert’s daughters Abby, 14 years and third degree black belt, and Bella, 11 years old and second degree black belt.  The sisters demonstrated the keumgang form, second degree black belt form, in sharp synchronization.  Abby and Robert Stevens awed the on-lookers when they performed Chunkwon, the  seventh degree black belt form, in unison.  Bella held everyone’s attention as she showed the creative form which recently earned her a gold medal at games in Colorado Springs, incorporating flips, splits and  music.

Black belt Mark Henkel, who has trained with Stevens for 26 years, says the Stevens’ family model is one he’d like to follow.  “My wife and sons are black belts, and I would love to see my grandchildren train when they are older.”

The senior Stevens has led his school at the YMCA for the past 33 years, and has trained hundreds of black belt practitioners now spread across the United States.  Stevens Taekwondo A New Way of Life, Stevens Point, run by Senior Master Karen Johnson, and Amherst Taekwondo, run by Master Mary Allen, are local branches, with several affiliated schools and programs run by other STA black belts, including the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program, taught by Johnson.

Reminders:

A facebook group (Stevens Taekwondo Academy) is available to students of Dr. Stevens or Senior Master Karen Johnson.  Affiliated instructors may also join, so as to  convey information to their students.  Photos and video or the black belts breaks and demos are posted there.  Please clear any postings or events items with one of the instructors.

The YMCA classes for this session run through September 4.  HOWEVER, classes on August 26 and 28th will be held in the APR at the south end of the Y.  There are no classes September  9 and 11th, with the first fall session beginning September 16.

The next testing date is October 14, 2014.

Fall is always a time of change.  Black belts who wish to share new locations, jobs or accomplishments, email Senior Master Hilde at henkelfm@wctc.net

June 2014 Testing and News

Jocelyn He, Hero Vue, Macey Cevan

Nearly forty martial artists spent part of Father’s Day  proving their skills and earning higher taekwondo ranks in promotion testing at Stevens Point YMCA.  Two fathers tested with their children and two brothers achieved black belt together, underlining the Stevens Taekwondo Academy motto “The family that kicks together, sticks together.”

Ben Nummelin earned the rank of fourth degree black belt and the right to be called a taekwondo master with  the very sharp demonstration of the pyongwon  form, advanced  kicking and sparring skills and then smashed his board with a 360 roundhouse speed break.  Nummelin also  spoke on the benefits of physical conditioning.

Nichole Shave moved up to third degree black belt demonstrating kicking combinations, sparring skills and the  taebek form.  Shave broke two boards with spinning roundhouse speed breaks.

Michael Buchkowski achieved second degree black belt rank with his performance of Keumbang, advanced sparring and kick combinations.  Buchkowski  broke a two-inch board with a back spinning side kick.

Jonathan Carroll, son Blake Carroll and daughter Grace Carroll all earned full black belt rank with their successful testing together.  The trio all performed koryo and four taegeuk forms, demonstrated  advanced kicking and sparring techniques and each broke a board with a spinning side kick.  The Carrolls were well prepared and answered numerous questions on the history, symbols and affiliations of taekwondo.

Tristen Smith, brothers Reece and Griffin Peeters, Payton Buchkowski, whose father Michael  is also his instructor, and eight-year-old Isaac Witte earned deputy black belt ranking through their demonstrations of five taegeuk forms, kicking and sparring techniques and board breaking.  Smith, Reece and Griffin Peeters and Witte used back spinning side kicks to break while Buchkowski  broke with a spinning roundhouse kick.

Dr. Dwight Stevens, founder and director of Stevens Taekwondo Academy, awarded three trophies for excellence in testing.  High red belt Jocelyn He won first place, high yellow belt Hero Vue earned second and yellow belt Macey Cevan took home the third place trophy.  

Stevens was assisted in the judging by senior master Mark Henkel.  The students tested are trained at Stevens Taekwondo Academy YMCA, Stevens Taekwondo A New Way of Life and at North Star Taekwondo Academy.

Other News:

Master Kevin Klapoetke successfully defended his doctoral thesis this month, completing his doctorate in physics at University of Minnesota.  The title of the thesis was "Measurements of Z Transverse Momentum Shape Using a Novel Variable at the CMS Detector,"  which is way beyond me. 

The father of Senior Master Hilde Henkel, and grandfather of Senior Masters Jim and John Henkel died late in April.  All the Henkels thank the many black belts for their sympathy and understanding, especially the kindness and support  of Dr. Stevens and Rob Stevens.  

Schedule Reminder: 

The YMCA classes run through July 17, with no classes July 22 and 24.  The next session begins  July 29.  The next belt promotion testing is August 10, 2014.

Celebration and Tournament News

May 13 -- YMCA

Students and friends celebrated with Dr. Dwight Stevens on his birthday, May 13 with cake and special greetings.  Master Kim Buehler handled the cake carving and serving instructions. 

Congratulations, Grand Master Stevens!

 

2014 State Championships

Three local martial artists came home champions from the recent 2014 Wisconsin State Taekwondo Championship in Middleton.

Second degree black belt Isaac Williams placed in all three events for the 12-14 year-old group, winning first place in the sparring competition.  Williams broke twelve boards using  a butterfly kick, an autobahn kick, a skipping side kick, a spinning side kick, a switching front kick and a speed break spinning hook kick, earning second place., and also garnered third place in forms competition.

Deputy black belt Tanner Rogers took first place in the 17 to 32 year-old breaking division, smashing three boards with a flying side kick, 2 boards with a tornado kick and snapped another board with a spear hand.  Rogers also earned third place in the sparring for his division.

High blue belt Arthur Muschkat won first place in the sparring for the 17 to 32 year-old division.

The trio, trained by Senior Master Karen Johnson through Stevens Taekwondo: A New Way of Life and the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program, were coached at the tourney by Master Peter Shave.   Placing in the state tournament qualifies them to compete at the national level in San Jose in July.  More than 130 competitors attended the tournament, sponsored by the Wisconsin Taekwondo Association.

YMCA and Testing Schedule

The new session is off to a great start with nearly 60 students in attendance tonight.
The YMCA class schedule going forward includes a make-up testing on Thursday night, April 24 at 8 pm.
Classes continue on Tuesdays & Thursdays through May 29
No classes June 3 and 5
Summer session I begins June 10, ends July 17.
BELT PROMOTION TESTING June 15 at 12:30 in large gym
Summer session I begins July 29, ends September 4
BELT PROMOTION TESTING August 10, at 12:30 in large gym
Fall Session I begins September 16, last class October 23
BELT PROMOTION TESTING OCTOBER 12 at 12:30 in large gym
Fall Session II begins November 4 with last class December 11
BELT PROMOTION TESTING DECEMBER 14 (NOTE NEW DATE11)

April 2014 Testing and Activities.

Amanda Salm, Gabe Hurrish and Zach Ulrich

More than seventy taekwondo students from Stevens Taekwondo Academy and the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program tested successfully for higher belts recently at the Stevens Point YMCA.  Nine martial artists reached new black belt ranks.

Benjamin Goodberlet earned a third degree black belt with crisp demonstrations of the taebek form, advanced sparring skills and kick combinations.  He easily snapped his board  using a back spinning side kick for his speed break.

Shelby Finnessy and John Paul Bunn reached second degree black belt following their performance of the keumgang form, sparring and kick combinations.  Finnessy cracked her two-inch board with her first attempt, using a back spinning side kick.  Bunn broke two boards with a back spinning side kick.

Brian Burns, Tammy Weiss, Jake Kujawa, and ten-year-old Shruti Subramanian achieved full, first degree black belt ranking with their performances of koryo and 4 taegeuk forms, advanced sparring and kick combinations and passing an oral examination on the history, terminology, forms and creeds of taekwondo.  Burns used a back spinning side kick to break his board and Weiss broke with a butterfly kick.  Kujawa smashed his board with a back jumping side kick and Subramanian snapped her board with a crisp back spinning side kick.

Moving into black belt ranks as deputy black belts, Tanner Rogers, Smantha Brunner and Andrew Bowling demonstrated sparring, kicks and five taegeuk forms.  Rogers jumped over two chairs in a flying side kick to break his board, Brunner used an autobahn to break her board and Bowling snapped his board using a working crescent kick to back spinning side kick.

Three of the more than sixty color belt students received trophies for excellence in testing. Green belt Zach Ulrich won first place, blue belt Gabe Hurrish earned second place and yellow belt Amanda Salm took home the third place trophy.  The testing was judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens, assisted by  senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.
Two special training events occurred in April.  Senor masters Hilde Henkel and Karen Johnson taught a free introduction to self defense for forty UW-Stevens Point students, sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center.  Grandmaster Dwight Stevens and senior master Mark Henkel  gave a free seminar on board breaking at the Five Rings Taekwondo School in Wausau.


Scheduling reminder:

The YMCA classes resume with a new session on April 22.
The next testing date if June 15, 2014.

Senior Master Mark Henkel teaching breaking

February Testing and Winter Activities

New black belts and their instructors

Michael Detert, Chris Cleworth, Breeann Hartle

Becky Peterson holds for  student, Sr. Master Henkel demonstrates

 Sharply executed board breaking, crisp form demonstrations and family shared training highlighted the taekwondo testing at the Stevens Point YMCA recently.  Fifty students from Stevens Taekwondo Academy, the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program and Waupaca Taekwondo earned new ranks during the event.

Caleb Siewert earned his second degree black belt with an excellent demonstration of the Keumgang form and advanced sparring skills.  He smashed two boards on first execution of a jump spinning side kick.

Cally Baroni, Kirsten Peterson and Alex Dremel achieved full first degree black belt testing in extensive testing which included advanced kick combinations, sparring and demonstration of koryo and five taegeuk forms.  The trio successfully answered oral examination on the history of taekwondo, tenets and terms, specifics of forms and the meaning of symbols.  Baroni, sponsored by Mark Regnitz, broke her board with a flying side kick.  Peterson, sponsored by her mother and instructor Becky Peterson, snapped her board with a head high switching front kick. Dremel, sponsored by instructor Dar Peterson, used a switching high front kick for his board break.

Family-shared training was also evident in those testing successfully for deputy black belt.  Lydia Miller and her mother Jill Miller, Mitchell Starry and his mother Donna Starry, Austin Skalecki and Mike Molden demonstrated sparring, kick combination and five taegeuk forms.  Lydia and Jill Miller both used working step back spinning side kicks to easily snap their boards.  Donna Starry broke her board with a working step back spinning side kick and Mitchell Starry cracked his board on his first execution of a jump spinning side kick.  Molden used a jump spinning side kick for his quick, clean board break and Skalecki smashed his board into three pieces with a jump spinning side kick.

Three martial arts students earned trophies for excellence in testing.  Blue belt Michael Detert won first place, green belt Christopher Cleworth earned second place and young Breeann Hartle, high yellow belt, took home the third place trophy.

The testing was judged by Grand Master Dwight Stevens, assisted by senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

Other Taekwondo Activities

Senior Master Mark Henkel, introduced by Grandmaster Stevens, taught a seminar on “Breaking Successfully” recently at Waupaca Taekwondo, hosted by Becky and Dar Peterson.

Henkel discussed the correct application of force and technique to permit breaking of boards and other objects, and demonstrated how it is done successfully. Participants practiced the techniques and experienced the result of incorrect technique intentionally done for demonstration purposes, with the correct techniques demonstrated and practiced for various breaks.