a:10:{i:0;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"10";s:4:"slug";s:23:"contact-the-island-news";s:4:"name";s:23:"Contact The Island News";s:4:"type";s:8:"fieldset";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:1;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"14";s:4:"slug";s:4:"name";s:4:"name";s:4:"Name";s:4:"type";s:4:"text";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:13:"George Angelo";}i:2;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"15";s:4:"slug";s:13:"business-name";s:4:"name";s:13:"Business Name";s:4:"type";s:4:"text";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:3;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"16";s:4:"slug";s:7:"address";s:4:"name";s:7:"Address";s:4:"type";s:7:"address";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:77:"21 Ardmore Ave.&lt;br&gt;Beaufort, SC 29907&lt;br&gt;United States of America";}i:4;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"17";s:4:"slug";s:5:"phone";s:4:"name";s:5:"Phone";s:4:"type";s:5:"phone";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:12:"843-322-0678";}i:5;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"18";s:4:"slug";s:5:"email";s:4:"name";s:5:"Email";s:4:"type";s:5:"email";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:20:"poppopgeo1@yahoo.com";}i:6;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"19";s:4:"slug";s:15:"how-can-we-help";s:4:"name";s:16:"How can we help?";s:4:"type";s:8:"textarea";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:11540:"We sent the below article to local media just after the recent black belt testing at Club Karate.  It&#039;s been a couple weeks and I&#039;ve not seen it printed, so thought I&#039;d post it in recognition of the 12 fine folks who made history on 20 October.

*****
Club Karate Advances Twelve to Black Belt

Few symbols are as recognized worldwide as a karate black belt.  It’s the undeniable mark of a disciplined, dedicated and capable martial artist.  On Saturday, 20 October, twelve students from Beaufort’s own Club Karate tested for and were promoted to the rank of first-degree black belt in the Chuck Norris System.  A crowd of family, friends, and fellow students was on hand to observe and support those testing during the four-hour ordeal.

The Chuck Norris System is an American martial art founded by (you guessed it) Chuck Norris.  The United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) was also founded by Master Norris, and is the organization that oversees the Chuck Norris System.  UFAF leads more than 90 schools nationwide and internationally, and provides technical standards for instruction, certifies student ranks, and oversees instructor credentialing in the Chuck Norris System.

By the way, Club Karate, and I daresay the town of Beaufort, set a record that Saturday.  Never had twelve students promoted to black belt together on one day.

The karate students had trained together for six or seven years.  Young and old, black and white, male and female: the kind of folks we mingle with every day, stand in line with at the store, attend school together, work side by side…  They are us, yet they have something now that sets them a little apart, too.  They’ve worked for years to achieve this distinction.  Some of them since they were six and seven years old.

To obtain their black belts, the Club Karate students demonstrated their formidable skills before a board of six higher-ranking UFAF black belts.  Club Karate owner and chief instructor Master Chuck Elias, an 8th degree black belt, was head judge among those critically grading the performance of the black belt hopefuls.  One of the demanding requirements of the test was that each candidate had to fight Master Elias himself.  Another requirement was that each candidate write an essay about what karate training has meant to them.

Kylie Rast, 12, was the youngest student to test on that momentous Saturday.  She said that karate helps her be more disciplined, focused, and confident, and that those traits benefitted her not just in class, but in her life.  “I don’t give up at something that I am new at. I stay positive and spread that feeling to everyone, my teammates, even my opponents.”  Kylie is more confident knowing she is able to defend herself and her friends if someone or something bad happens.

Thomas Angelo, 13, said that when he started at only five years old, “I could not imagine having my black belt.”  But over the years, training has “helped me with balance, self-expectations, built my respect for myself and others, and taught me that hard work pays off.”  His favorite part of karate is performing kata, a pre-set series of moves that helps students learn about balance, power, timing, and the detailed nuances that must be mastered to earn a black belt.  “I like to do katas over and over again until I get the stances and foot work exactly right.”  At first unable to imagine earning his black belt, now he says, “I am already thinking about the hard work I need to do to obtain my second-degree black belt.”

McKenzie Hake, 14, trained for years with Mr. Elias at Club Karate.  She recently moved to New Jersey with her family, but McKenzie kept training through online connections to Club Karate and private lessons when she could visit Beaufort.  McKenzie returned to Beaufort to pre-test with her fellow students in September, and came back again for the final test in October.  “I used to be bullied in school hallways,” she said, “but Mr. Elias taught me to be physically and mentally strong.  I gained confidence and self-assurance as I progressed in my training, knowing I was setting myself apart from those who might try to bully me in the future.”

R. Lee Moran is 14.  He’s become more flexible, gained more stamina, and become stronger, yet he also spoke about the internal growth and the camaraderie his karate journey provides.  “People may not realize how much karate helps emotionally.  It’s a good way to relieve stress.  It’s also helped me find good people that I am happy to call my friends.  We’ve trained together for years, I trust that they are there for me, and I am there for them.  They’re some of the best people I know.”

Mallisa Glover, 15, first stepped out on the mat when she was only 8 years old.  She said she was a bit hyperactive when she was younger.  “Karate calmed me down and gave me a lot more self-control.  It’s helped me become a stronger person.  No matter how hard your battles may be or how tough things may get, keep fighting.”

Rebekah Heape, 21, is a barista at Carolina Cider and Superior Coffee.  She started karate when she was twelve.  “I wasn’t the most confident person.  I have always been a tough girl growing up, an athlete and a tomboy, but self-confidence was not one of my strengths.”  Training these past nine years changed that.  “Karate taught me how to defend myself and others, and how important it is to be aware of my surroundings, and in the process of that, it helped make me a confident, hardworking and dedicated person.  When you work hard and go after your goals, you can achieve anything.”  She praised Mr. Elias in her essay, saying he is “an amazing, supportive and inspiring instructor.”

James Rogowsky is 27 and works in his family’s computer business.  His sister Megan is a second-degree black belt and was part of the board that promoted James.  “The training gave me a method to defend myself and my family,” James wrote.  “It also gave me heightened focus, and taught me to never give up, even when faced with difficult challenges.”  He’s thankful that karate gave him the opportunity to meet new people.  “My life wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t train under the Chuck Norris System.”

Crosby “Rabb” Christensen, 30, is a landscaper here in Beaufort.  He talked about the physical benefits of training.  “This system will increase coordination, strength, balance and flexibility.  It’s a good way to keep all parts of your body active and strong.”  Speaking of the results of karate training, he said “We’ve been trained so our bodies and minds can react in a tense moment,” and added, “I will continue to train because I know that there is no limit to what we can learn.”

Amanda Dimitrov, 34, works for the fire department and is a published author.  When she started karate, she expected she would learn to defend herself, and that she would grow in physical strength and confidence.  “I expected to become more aware of my surroundings, and to gain greater control over myself.”  All those expectations were met, she said, but she had an epiphany along the way.  “When sparring, we are taught that there are times to be aggressive and times to block and counter.  We learn the importance of using angles and the value of motion.  We learn that to hit someone in the head, sometimes we must first kick to their side.  Karate has altered the very way I think about life’s challenges.  Maintaining a clear and flexible mindset during an encounter can be just as valuable as a well-executed technique.  Opponents come in all shapes and sizes, and my response to life’s challenges needs to be equally diverse.  It’s good to have expectations, but it is even better to be adaptable and ready for whatever may come.”

Dr. Kurt Ellenberger, 48, is a local pediatrician, and he tested alongside his 13-year old son, Sawyer.  Dr. Ellenberger enrolled his children at Club Karate, then found himself impressed and energized by Mr. Elias’ patient and dynamic teaching with the kids.  That inspired Dr. Ellenberger to start training, too.  “I found that the core group of students I trained with became a cohesive team of coaches, comrades, and confidants, people whose mutual support carried us through and over personal obstacles and limitations to achieve our black belts together.”

Sawyer Ellenberger said karate training helped him learn to remain calm and focused; to feel confident and comfortable.  He learned how to persevere to the best of his ability, which helped him reach goals and overcome challenges, and mentioned the deep friendships he’s developed while training.

Sawyer’s dad makes clear that karate provides stress relief and physical fitness, builds confidence and discipline, and blends camaraderie and personal achievement.  “I have the privilege to crest this peak with my eldest son, creating an indelible memory and bond which can never be broken.”

R.J. “Frenchy” Levesque, is a 65-year old retired pilot and Marine.  The most seasoned of the black belt awardees, he began training when he was almost 60 years old.  He’s powerful on the mat.  During the test, he was partnered with Dr. Ellenberger, and the controlled violence they demonstrated left observers in awe.  He said, “As a mature adult, the Chuck Norris System has benefited me with cardiovascular improvement, muscular strength, increased flexibility, better balance, and improved self-esteem and confidence.  It has also helped me spiritually:  I’m able to focus on being a better person, husband, father, grandfather and stay in line with my religious beliefs as well.  As a veteran it gives me great pride and honor to be associated with the Chuck Norris System, particularly with the patriotism, morals, values, integrity, ethics and character it instills in our youth.  Ethics like develop yourself, forget the mistakes of the past, be in a positive frame of mind, continually work to improve, look for the good in others, be enthusiastic about the success of others, be open-minded, respectful, loyal and goal-oriented.”

These twelve students achieved a milestone in their lives.  Dr. Ellenberger surely speaks for them all when he points out that, initially, looking up from below, the rank of black belt seemed like the top of the mountain, a pinnacle achievement.  But he and those who made the climb with him know now that reaching black belt is truly only a solid base camp, and there is greater martial understanding and ability in the yet to be scaled heights above.

As mentioned above, a karate black belt is well-recognized as a symbol of martial ability.  But like karate itself, there is hidden meaning behind the belt, even as the martial artists themselves take off their karate attire and blend back into their daily lives.  The powerful words of the newly promoted reveal that a black belt embodies deeper truths: strength, confidence, camaraderie, loyalty, integrity, respect, mutual support, never give up, inspiration, dedication, self-control, keep fighting, be flexible, trust, wisdom, ability, friendship.  Twelve amazing people are walking around Beaufort with all this and more inside them.  Congratulations to all who were promoted.  Your fellow Beaufortonians are proud of you.

For more information, contact Club Karate at 843-252-7283.
This article was written by Ron Marcell. One of the Black Belt judges at Club Karate.";}i:7;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"11";s:4:"slug";s:12:"verification";s:4:"name";s:12:"Verification";s:4:"type";s:12:"verification";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:8;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"12";s:4:"slug";s:27:"please-enter-any-two-digits";s:4:"name";s:27:"Please enter any two digits";s:4:"type";s:6:"secret";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:2:"11";s:5:"value";s:2:"22";}i:9;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"13";s:4:"slug";s:6:"submit";s:4:"name";s:6:"Submit";s:4:"type";s:6:"submit";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:2:"11";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}}