Welcome to
The School of Hard Knocks
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
"Therefore, he who wishes peace, should prepare war; he who desires victory, should carefully train his soldiers; he who wants favorable results, should fight relying on skill, not on chance." - Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
(Last Update: September 30, 2011)
Announcements, Upcoming Events, and News:
Upcoming:
October 5, 2011: We will be starting a Black Belt / Advanced Class on every other Wednesday night at 6:00PM. We will work in a quick staff meeting, discuss rank curriculum, and work on high level techniques and concepts. This class will be open only to Black Belts and Advanced students, though select Adults might be invited. Advanced students, Instructors, and Black Belts from other schools are also welcome to attend.
October 11 & 13, 2011: We will be offering a free week of Little Dragons (3 to 6 year olds) on Tuesday, Oct 11, and Thurs, Oct 13, From 5:15PM until 5:55PM on both nights. We are already holding pre-registrations, and if turnout for the free week is sufficient, we will re-start the program full time. Contact us for more information.
October 22, 2011: The 1st Annual Fight for Your Life Open Championship will be held in Memphis. I myself plan to step into the ring for the first time in over a decade in tribute to Mr. Vestal. Early registration to save a few $ is Oct 10th, so let me know soon if you wish to attend. I also need a head count for a tribute I have in mind. There will be sparring, Kata, weapons, team, and demo competitions. If anyone is interested in putting a team demo together, or simply being part of it, let me know ASAP. Also, if you plan to compete in weapons and we don't already have your weapon, I will need time to get one ordered.
October 28, 2011: White County Central School will be holding their annual Harvest Fest. Last year we ran a board breaking booth and it was a big hit. (Pardon the pun.) If you are interested in helping out, let me know. We are hoping to find donations for the boards, and board holders and helpers for various tasks would make things a lot easier.
October 31, 2011: All Hollow's Eve, All Saint's Eve, the Feast of Sam Hein, Halloween, or whatever you prefer to call it. No class that night. Go out and gorge yourself on candy and scare off evils spirits!
Past Events:
September 23-25, 2011: The 36th USKMAF Gopher Throwing Event was a great success. Mr. Pelletier, Ray, and myself had a great time and learned so many mind blowing things that my head still hurts. Some of the things were techniques that we will be sharing in class, others were major concepts that will filter out in the course of training over the next few years. We have a few pictures that will be on Facebook when I get a chance, as well as several videos that I need to clean up. Also, I had the opportunity to sit down with both the Chief and GM Hodder to discuss future training, and one of the things we will be doing is taking occasional trips to Jackson TN to work out under Master Holcombe. The more crash dummies the merrier, and the more chipping in on gas the cheaper it will be for everyone, so if you are interested in one of these trips let me know so we can get them scheduled.
April 15, 2011: Congratulations to Mr. Justin Pelletier on his 1st Degree Black Belts in both Hapkido and Kenjukido, as well as Mr. Josiah Holland on his 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo! They have both trained for many years (more than many of our students have been alive) and their ranks have been hard earned through unstoppable training and dedication, both in their own training and the teaching they have done. They both now enjoy the title of Full Instructor of their respective Arts, and I know that our students will be in great hands with them. Remember, the Black Belt is the first major step on a long road of self-improvement. I look forward to continuing their training as they continue their careers in the Arts.
Also, our fallen Instructor, Mentor, and Friend, Jeremy Vestal, was posthumously awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. While Jeremy had been a Kenpo practitioner for many years, recently achieving his 2nd Degree, he had also been training with us for the last half-decade in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Kenjukido. This rank is in no way honorary. He was prepared to test or his Black Belt in Taekwondo, and had we not lost him in an automobile accident the month prior, there was no doubt he would have passed this testing with flying colors. Mr. Vestal was an inspiration to us all, and his spirit continues to inhabit our school and help us to seek out and follow the right path.
Also, congratulations to the following Rank Promotions in both Taekwondo and Hapkido: Pilar Cheney to Purple Belt (4th Gup); Brad McAllister, Ray Warner, and Michael Foster to Orange Belt (7th Gup); and Chris Pelligrin and Hollie Laws to Yellow Belt (8th Gup). Good job guys!