2005 Conference

The Tang Soo Do Karate Association held it's 11th annual conference in San Antonio, Texas this past Friday and Saturday, December 2nd & 3rd, 2005. Over 70 members with their families were in attendance for the Friday night banquet at the Red Barn Steak House.

Tanito Aguero breaks boards - click image for larger picture

Saturdays Black Belt testing was a great day for four of the TKA instructors. Ten Black Belt candidates successfully promoted to the rank of 1st Dan. Mike Simpson of Hill Country Martial Arts promoted to 3rd Dan and Masters Ector Troncoso of Martial Arts Academy and Juan Vasquez of Hill Country Martial Arts both promoted to 5th Dan.

Ten candidates were promoted to the rank of 1st Dan. Dan testing began several weeks several weeks ago and concluded during a seven hour inspection of the students abilities. Welcome the new Dan to the rank of Black Belt:

Tanito Aguero

Orlondo Aguero

Gabrielle De Luna

Eybeth Guerrero

Heather Duty

Logan Duty

Brandon Hollinshead

Maricela Reveles

Carol Rich

Gerard Vela

"Bring it on..." Heather Duty and Eedan Joey Dupuis

There were three special events that occurred at this years conference. At eight years of age, Tanito Aguero became the youngest TKA member to be promoted to 1st Dan rank. Brandon Hollinshead not only received his 1st Dan in Tang Soo Do, but also received his 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do from Master Hornsby. Finally, Master George Howard was promoted to 7th Dan, Grand Master.

Several of TKA members received annual awards:

Martial Arts Academy - San Angelo

Diana Fiveash - Student of the Year

Javier Guerrero - Student of the Year

Donald Peterson - Comp. of the Year

Michelle Rickard - Comp. of the Year

Ed White Dojang - San Antonio

Shayn Kaysing - Student of the Year

Carol Rich - Student of the Year

Logan Duty - Comp. of the Year

Gabrielle De Luna - Comp. of the Year

Ministry by the Beach Dojang - California

Kent Wyatt - Student of the Year

Rachel Reilly - Student of the Year

Master Troncoso with new 1st Dan students Eybeth Guerrero, Orlondo Aguero, and Tanito Aguero.

Grand Master and 1st Dan Students Maricela Reveles, Logan Duty, Gabi De Luna, Carol Rich, Brandon Hollinshead, Gerard Vela, and Heather Duty.

Master Hornsby with new 1st Dan Student in both Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do, Brandon Hollinshead

***Eric Jones with 1st Dan Students Maricela Reveles and Gerard Vela***

From Grand Master Howard:

Just a Very Humble THANK YOU ! to the Board , Grand Masters , Masters and Black Belts of the Tang Soo Do Karate Association for the Honor you bestowed on me as a Grand Master at the 2005 Annual Conference. With 30 plus years in the martial arts I have made some great friends that have become more my family . I hope I can always live up to this honor by helping and mentoring to all that I meet. A special thank you goes to the late Grand Master James Cumming for guiding me throughout the years in the knowledge of the martial arts as becoming a Way Of Life part of my being . THANKS YOU ALL AGAIN ... TANG SOO
Yours Always George"Gardog2522"