Promotion Testing (Master Todd)

We had two great testings in November.  We welcomed Mr. Shawn Carter into the black belt family by his earning the 1st degree black belt.  Mr. Zach Cochran continued his progression with his promotion to 2nd degree black belt.   I will continue my evaluation of this last testing, splitting the tests into two smaller groups on separate nights, vs. one large event for all on a weekend continues.  I invite your comments on this process.  Please send your feedback to Ms. Bowing at abowing11@hotmail.com.

Holiday Party

Our annual holiday party is on Thursday, December 20th from 6-8pm.  All students will attend in regular clothes, no Taekwon-Do uniforms!  This is a casual event to share and grow as a TKD family.  We have several students organizing this event.  It will be a potluck dinner, and there is a signup sheet at the classes for you.  We will also have games for the kids and an optional gift exchange.  Please bring a gift if you are interested in participating in the gift exchange.  We request you keep the gifts under $10.00.  If you have any questions pertaining to the holiday party please email Mrs. Buckley at the3bucks@cox.net.

Annual Axe TKD Closure

There will no Taekwon-Do classes on December 25th, 27th and January 1st.  Our classes will resume on Thursday January 3rd.  We hope that you enjoy this time off with your families this holiday season.

Black Belt Meeting (by Master Todd)

Recently, I held our first annual Holiday Lunch and black belt meeting at a local restaurant.  We had 21 of our 22 black belts in attendance.  Mr. Bushor, 6th dan was vacationing in Hawaii. While he was in Hawaii, he was also celebrating with Sr. Grand Master Sereff who turned 79 this year!  I hope to get a full report from Mr. Bushor when he returns from his vacation. 

I was extremely proud to have Axe TKD host the luncheon and meeting.  It marks the first time that I have been able to keep this many black belts active in one school at the same time.  Typically, due to the transient nature of the military, I train students to black belt, only to have them move on to a new duty assignment. During our lunch, I laid out my plans for 2013 and my expectations of all black belts and students of Axe TKD reinforcing those guidelines established by General Choi himself. Those can be read at:  http://www.axetkd.com/Student-InstructorRelationship.html. 

In addition, we looked at the busy schedule of events for 2013.  I am proud to share we should have four more students testing for 1st degree black belt, four testing for 2nd degree black belt, three testing for 3rd degree black belt, one for 4th degree and one for 5th degree.   It is amazing to watch students’ growth in Taekwon Do.  We also have many events coming up this year!

2013 Events

-Hosting a USTF referee course in March

-Our annual Axe TKD tournament in May

-USTF Nationals the third weekend in June, Broomfield, Colorado

-Region 6 Summer Camp in July, Mexico, Missouri

-Battle of the Belts tournament in September, Kirksville, Missouri

-Annual Sereff TKD Tournament in October, Broomfield, Colorado

-Class C Instructor’s course, initial/refresher, to be determined

More information will be available closer to the event.  Another topic was the USTF fees for testing and membership, which I explained in detail.  Those fees ensure that we are part of an organization that is disciplined in the art of Taekwon Do as General Choi had designed.  The fees go to provide instructor/referee training materials and courses as well as fair, safe tournaments each year.

USTF Memberships - Initial and Annual

The fee for USTF first time memberships is $50.00.  The annual USTF maintenance fees are determined each year and for 2013 the fee is $75.00 which is due no later than March 15th to Mr. Bushor.   The USTF maintenance dues for 2013 had to be increased to $75.00 this year. This increase allows the USTF to continue to operate a full time office.  In order to continue to help our Taekwon-Do families the following discounts will apply:

  For family discounts;                                                            1st family member is $75.00

                                                                                                  2nd family member is $50.00

                                                                                                  3rd family member is $25.00

                                                                                                  4th family member is Free

As the USTF Nebraska State Director, Mr. Bushor, 6th dan is responsible for collecting, tracking and working this program.  He will have further information for all of you after the first of the year.  Students who recently joined the USTF (since October) will not need to pay the maintenance fee this year.

2013 USTF Course - Instructors, Approved by the USTF and Sr. Grand Maser Sereff

Referee Seminar Instructors:   Sr. Master Steadman, CO, Head of the Program

                                                    Sr. Master Reyes, MA;  Master Cope, MO; Master Todd, NE;

                                                    Master Mason, WA, Mr. Osborn, MI; Mr. Williams, AK;

                                                    Master Casco, HI; & Mr. Sisco, WY

USTF Basic Ho Sin Sul:            Master Hannon, KS, Head of the Program

                                                    Sr. Master Weiss, IL; Mr. Stoppani, WA

USTF Ground Fighting:             Master Hannon, KS

USTF Knife & Weapons:          Master Hannon, KS; Sr. Master Weiss, IL, Mr. Stoppani, WA

USTF Instructor’s Course:       Sr. Grand Master Sereff; Grand Master Winegar

With many of the black belts reaching adulthood and military assignment changes, I clarified the requirements for students considering opening their own school.  In short, they have to obtain permission from me (their instructor), then the USTF State Director (Mr. Bushor). Additionally, I covered the testing board requirements for testing their new students. 

Testing Board Requirements 

You must be a 4th degree black belt or above test students, you must also be USTF Instructor certified and hold a USTF Plaque to serve as an examiner for and black belt rank.  In short:

-4th degree black belts can test 1st Dan and 2nd Dan candidates. 

-5th degree black belts can test 1st Dan-3rd Dan candidates.

-6th degree black belts can test 1st-4th Dan candidates.

-Master Instructors can test 1st Dan – 5th Dan candidates.

-8th degree Senior Master Instructors can test 1st Dan – 6 Dan candidates.

All examiners must be members of good standing with the USTF and be currently training with their instructor as often as possible.  Also, whether you own your own school or not, the USTF requires you to continue to train.   If a school owner is more than 100 miles away from their instructor, a student must attend as many seminars, workshops, and events as required by the USTF in order to remain active.    Continuing active training, ensures the integrity of the USTF TKD.  There are many other requirements, but those are the biggest concerns that often arise with branching out. 

It was my pleasure to treat my dedicated black belts to lunch and look forward to more joining us in the year to follow!

From Axe to all of my students, I wish you a happy holiday season!  I am sincerely grateful for the students in each class.  I look forward to seeing each of you attend our party.  Please let us know if you will be attending.  Thank you!