More Photo's to come.............

Congratulations to our New Black Belts (probation period 180 days). For the first time in 30 years we have promoted a Female to Black Belt and not only did we  promote one...but two.  Thanks for staying with your Dreams...It makes us stronger..Much Respect!!

Robby Wright- Nidan --Probation period (60 days)

Derek Brock-Shodan--Probation Period (180 days)

Stacy Wright-Shodan-(angel with a Kick )--Probation Period (180 days)

Jayme Cloninger-Shodan-(angel with a Kick) --Probation Period (180 days)

Hunter Foster- JR-Black Belt

Kaylan Callaway- JR- Black belt

Brandon Vigue - JR- Black belt

Final Phase of the Black Belt Exam will be December 1st when Hanshi Piddington comes to the east coast to Finish the exam...We will be Awarding Custom Black Belts and Certificate to all the Black Belts who have completed  all the final requirements for Black Belt....

Kyoshi...Final thoughts on the Class of 2007 Black Belts:

At the end of the three day review, it was a test of will, faith and courage. The Brown Belts started as concerned and doubtful students and left as Black Belts with the "Heart of a Warrior" . The Black Belt panel of review which was without a doubt one of the best in the American Shorei/Shorin Karatedo and American freestyle Karate history made comments all weekend about the heart and the power and character of each candidate.

It is a sad time for me after a Black Belt exam.  I always leave wondering if we did enough to change their will to win and their Tomoe Warrior character. Honor and Truth we speak, but will they live it, as things will never make us happy. Giving will make you happy and I always give with an open heart.  I want every Black Belt to feel that I supplied the material to change the Tao (Way) in their life.  My door is always open to my Black Belts. As long as I am breathing you have a person who you can talk with and share with for the rest of  our time on this earth. We are all connected to a higher creator and God should always be first in your Heart.  I take every Black Belt exam serious and only we can hope that we did give each candidate the skills to protect and guide them to greater goals in their life. It is always hard to let go...but we have to let go and let these New and Improved Black Belts stand on our shoulders and see new grounds to be covered in the Martial Arts World.

 This is a new beginning and they still have much to learn, but like the Bonsai Trees given at the Tea Ceremony, they will grow and be strong and someday be a beautiful Tree to the Martial Arts.

For most of us grace appears uninvited and unacknowledged. But, you can greatly amplify the presence of grace in your life if you see yourself as deserving of it. You invite it in, you acknowledge it, and give thanks for it. To me grace is a tangible manifestation of God's love for me. Always keep God in your Heart and work on spiritual clarity (sweating and fasting and praying)

All Black Belts can feel free to visit the Test site and feel the energy you left and mediate and remember the steps you took into Black Belt and your sweat and love of the Art that allowed you to complete this awesome Test.

I want to thank Renshi McClellan for his love of the Art and commitment to produce only the best Black Belts. Renshi has such character and lets no stone go un-turned. Thanks to Renshi Lingerfelt for never letting the candle go out in his school and for always being there to support our cause in our quest to make only the best Black Belts. Thanks to Renshi Godfrey for maintaining his commit to God and the Martial Arts. Thanks to Mr. Renfro for getting back in the game as he is a great teacher. Thanks to Sensei Ward for always being a shinning light for the students and his character training comes from the heart. Sensei Keever has shown he is a great leader and teacher with complete knowledge of all the material. If not for him and Mr. Ward the class of 2007 would not have been. They give so freely of their time to keep the Saturday Morning program alive and turning lemons into lemonade. We crowned a new Fire-Keeper as Mr. Sharpe could not make it. Sensei Matt McCall stepped-up and kept the fire burning during the 21 Warrior Rock Sweat.  Sensei Wright has raised his standards and helped get these new Black Belts ready for their life journey as well moved to instructor Level Nidan (2nd Black)

I have always loved karate and every day I think of God and my family and  Master Funakoshi. He said "think of everyday as Karate Training", and I do.

"Funakoshi was a man of Tao. He placed no emphasis on competitions, record breaking or championships. He placed emphasis on individual self perfection. He believe in the common decency and respect that one human being owed to another. He was the master of masters.

I am now  a Master of Masters and it feels good that God gave me the heath, and family and courage to never give up on my students and love of Karate.

There is a probation period after a Black Belt Exam to complete their final requirements and to work  on  self  perfection. Learn to be Black Belts of high standards. Failure to complete the requirements (teaching commitments, etc) or to show no respect for their self or fellow black Belts will result in a re-test or Failure .  Certificates will be awarded after the probation period along with Black Belts with your name in Kanju.

In closing People always ask me why our exams are so long and our thoughts are "we have high Standards for our Black Belt  and each time we raise the Bar"

I am so blessed.

Much respect & that is all I have to say !

Kyoshi McCall                      

JR Black Candidates and Now soon to be JR Black Belts