Well folks, another crazy and exciting weekend to boot. This was the most energized event that I can remember in a long time….literally, blood, sweat and tears. To start off the banquet was awesome, bit long because we were waiting for people to show up, never fails each year folks don’t compensate for extra holiday traffic and it always happens so we need to all work on that for next year but Sam Dan Joey DuPuis MC’d and got everybody in place, eating, laughing and enjoying the new and old friendships.
We thanks Jody and his wife, Christi Jenkins for photographing, pictures to follow on facebook. And we appreciate all the other photos on facebook from other folks as well, Mrs. Billie Moody took good care of the conference pictures.
Master Eric Jones did another outstanding job on the banner, medals and nameplates as usual and we love all that he does behind the scenes. Thanks to our Co-project managers for taking the reins once again and doing both events up righteous. Ea Dan’s Andrew Moody and Hugh Price.
To your Blackbelt Council, GM Clarence Smith and Tom Balmos, we always appreciate your kind words and continued support!
To all the Blackbelts in attendance, new and old, you brought class and dignity to these two events and I was proud to have you as my friends. We had a few last minute fires and snafus but we adapted, improvised and overcame but it wasn’t easy and it came at a costly price. To all I would say communication is where we all need to work and focus on, communication in advance would be most appreciated in the future, it’s the only we can overcome problems.
Had some newly inducted Blackbelts to our TKA Association along with some field promotions which surprised a many a person:
Newly promoted to 5th Dan – Master Arnold Zip White (Red Dragons)
Newly promoted to 4th Dan – Master Lowell Lyle (TKA)
Ea Dan Jose A Ramirez to TKA 1st Dan (CTA)
Ea Dan Kayo Ramirez to TKA 1st Dan (CTA)
Ea Dan Gio Ramirez to TKA 1st Dan (CTA)
Sam Dan Jared Shinkaruk to TKA 1st Dan (OKBBA)
Ea Dan Guy Shinkaruk to TKA 1st Dan (OKBBA)
Chodan Jay D Cooper to TKA 1st Dan
Ea Dan Perry Mccall to TKA 1st Dan Former MAA)
Sifu Oscar Olivares to TKA 1st Dan (Honorable Warriors)
and last but certainly not least this past weekend Master Gabriel Green was promoted to GrandMaster 7th Degree within the TKA.
Our James Cummings Spirit Award went to Master Shannon Ramsey
Blackbelt Instructor Award – Ea Dan Andrew Moody
Blackbelt Assistant Instructor Award – Ea Dan Hugh Price
Female BJJJ Competitor of the Year Award – Master Shannon Ramsey
TKA School of the Year Award – Golden Dragon Karate Studio
GrandMaster of the Year Award – GM Jesse Rodriguez
Female Blackbelt Instructor of the Year Award – Master Elizabeth Garcia
TKA Volunteer of the Year Award – Mr. Simon Rodriguez of Golden Dragon Studio
TKA Blackbelt of the Year Award – Ea Dan Andrew Moody
To the five students of the Christian Karate Academy that tested for 6th gup (Green), Christy, Jake, Levi, and Luke Perkins as well as Cailean Pahl, congratulations, you did great, now the real fun begins.
Promotions did not go the way planned so hopefully, they will be in place next year. Huge thanks goes out to GM Jesse and Rosie for allowing us to utilize their dojang again for our conference, we are very appreciative and know all the hard work that goes into it to make it go smoothly. Kudos to you all and your team, they did outstanding as always.
Thanks to Master Shannon for her awesome decorated cookies she provided along with Mrs. Deanna Price for her martial arts themed cookies that were supposed to be for the blackbelts but the young ins scarfed most of them up:-)
To all the help I received from my lovely wife, Sherrie Pahl, who attempted to keep me grounded this past month ensuring that things went smoothly, could not have done it without her continuous support.
To all our out of town guests, this indeed was a “Gifty” weekend and all your gifts were appreciated (although not needed) but the main thing I loved was the words that were spoken from the heart from new and old Blackbeltls alike. Those weren’t scripted, they were as real as can be. Definitely new everlasting and lifelong friendships were formed.
To GM Gabriel Green for a great job once again being Chairman of the testing committee you did great as did the graders. The right decisions were reached. I will be in touch with everybody again with the uniform product codes and where you can get them so you can uniformed up in the future and to where you can belts and even get them personalized.
Again to GM Green, Sam Dan Jared Shinkaruke and Ea Dan’s Jose, Kayo and Gio Ramirez, your demos and seminars were second to none. Amazed and appreciative of your efforts and look forward to more in the future.
GM’s Smith, Balmos, Kaminski and myself were honored by receiving our honorary first degree certificates from Kwan Jang Nim Jesse Rodriguez in his system of Chu Ida Yong TaeKwonDo. We were speechless and appreciative.
To Ea Dan Kayo Ramirez for designing an outstanding logo for this year’s event, we look forward to the contest already for next year’s. All can enter.
I am sure I am leaving out folks, but not on purpose, everybody had a hand in making this weekend a memorable one, again we must work on better communication in order to move forward in a positive manner and it takes everybody to adhere. If you still need T-shirts I have four large and two XL short sleeves left at $17. If you haven’t paid up to be an TKA Association member dues are $25 a year. Get with me for more details.
To all that ordered shirts from out of town and paid in advance, your shirts and ID cards were mailed out an hour ago so be looking for them in the mail.
Again, thanks to all, already have people working for next year’s advancement and again thanks for all the sacrifice that everybody made in order to ensure a successful 21st Conference. Tang Soo and here’s hoping for a great December.
Sincerely,
Johnny K. Thompson, GrandMaster, 8th Degree
President, Tang Soo Do Karate Association