Student Achievements
Student of the Month
The following students were promoted in the Karazenpo Goshinjutsu System at the Syracuse Academy of Self-Defense:
Truman Derrick to Sankyu; Brown Belt
Ryan Tighe to 1st Rokkyu; Blue Belt with a green stripe
Mark Westbrook Jr. to 2nd Rokkyu; Blue Belt
Samantha Bassett to Gokyu; Green Belt
*Jessica Judge to 1st Rokkyu; Blue Belt with a green stripe
Juliana Parkhurst to 3rd Rokkyu; Purple Belt
Terry Durham to 4th Rokkyu; Orange Belt
Nicholas Reyes to Gokyu; Green Belt
* Michael Parkhurst to 4th Rokkyu; Orange Belt
Jovan Diaz to 1st Rokkyu; Blue Belt with a green stripe
James M. Dussing Jr. to 3rd Rokkyu; Purple Belt
I would like to congratulate all the students for all their dedication and hard work these past 3 months. It was a successful summer where special weapons classes were conducted. Many learned new weapons forms which included a second bo kata and a kama kata. It is important to learn these because it translates to better hand-eye coordination and renews our dedication to technique, stances, and precision.
There were two particular students that stood out in way of practice and dedication. These students, Jessica Judge and Mike Parkhurst showed this summer and especially during their promotional exam that hard work truly pays off. Their balance, stances, kihon, kempo techniques, kata, and kumite were sharp & superb. And because of their hard work, they were promoted, not to their next level, but two levels above. This does not occur often, but is known to occur only in special situations. Jessica and Mike are excellent students and special people.