NO CLASS from Dec 23-Jan 5, enjoy your holiday break

November Promotion Testing:  Congratulations to all students that tested.  It was a smaller testing but the quality and spirit were great.  The next testing will be in February, start preparing now!

Annual Holiday Party:  On Thursday, December 18th from 5:45pm - 8:30pm we will host the Axe Taekwon-Do party.  We will have a chili contest and the winner will receive a free month of class.  There will also be a "White Elephant" gift exchange and games.  This party is for ALL students and families.  We sent home flyers and will post the flyer on our Axe Taekwon-Do website.  Contacts for the party are Mrs. Duralia at sduralia@cox.net or Mrs. Chamberlin at lizziechamberlin@hotmail.com.  General questions can be directed to Sr. Master Todd at ustfneb@cox.net.

Annual Black Belt Holiday Party:  On Saturday, December 20th from noon - 2:30pm we will host the Axe Taekwon-Do Black Belt party.  The luncheon will be at Pizza Ranch, 8810 S. 71st Plaza in Papillion.  The dress is casual and the event will be paid for by Axe Taekwon-Do.  Black belts need to RSVP to Sr. Master Todd in class or at ustfneb@cox.net.

Testing Changes for 2015:  (By Sr. Master Todd)  Prices will remain the same for color and black belt testing.  I will be reformatting the practical tests for next year.  It will place an emphasis on more basic technique for color belts with less combinations. It should allow students to better demonstrate their understanding of how to perform their specific techniques.

Test board changes:  Our class continues to grow with black belts.  My initial planning shows in 2015 I could be promoting 2 students to 4th dan; 1 student to 3rd dan; 7 students to 2nd dan and 3 students to 1st dan.  That is great for our school and the USTF.  Starting in 2015 the testing board will be comprised of  me (Sr. Master Todd), Mr. Bushor, K., and Ms. Bowing.  I will rotate the testing director between Mr. Finan and the other black belts.  I don't want to have a large testing board and three people will work.  This will also make the testing a little less intimidating for the students.  Black belts that are not asked to be the testing director will be seated in chairs next to the test board.  Remember I am streamlining all aspects of testing in 2015.

Holiday Spirit = Taekwon-Do Spirit:  (By Sr. Master Todd)  I briefly discussed in class that every year during the holidays I contact black belts that have left my class or Taekwon-Do that reside in the local area.  Often I reach out to some of my former students in other states also to encourage them to return to training.  I don't hold a grudge and I have lost more students than I can count.  Every time a black belt quits I feel it.  I have invested a lot in them and often they don't know it.  Every loss is a loss to me personally and to the growth of Taekwon-Do.  Unless they were thrown out of class they are always welcome to return, no questions asked. I try to honor Forgive, Forget and Move On.  I am not perfect as an instructor or person nor are any of the students, we all make mistakes.  We all deserve the Forgive, Forget and Move On mentality.  With the exception of a major criminal act, that is what we should practice.  General Choi (the Founder of Taekwon-Do) practiced this and was actually the role model for the practice.  He allowed people who often performed many very disloyal acts against him and Taekwon-Do.  He let them come back with open arms.  Sr. Grand Master Sereff has done this also.  Often some of their juniors question these decisions.  I can only say unless you have been in the seniors position, you can't question it.  I understand greatly the practice of Forgive, Forget and Move On.  So if you see any of our former students, ask them how they are doing, extend your hand in friendship and invite them back to class.  I am going to try to follow this concept more in 2015!  Inside and out of class, Forgive, Forget and Move On, life is too short!  Also in the words of a famous person, "Let it go"!

Often when I get down thinking about this subject something occurs.  The same day I wrote this article two former black belts reached out to me by email.  One left due to injuries and his injuries have continued to worsen.  He can now barely walk without pain nor work due to pain in his hand. He has lost the ability to exercise or ride his motorcycle.  His quality of life has decreased greatly since he left our class.  However, the overall spirit of his email was to thank me, Mr. Bushor and the other black belts for playing such a positive uplifting force in his life.  His email wasn't to complain it was to thank us and express his sadness that he couldn't return to class.  He contacted me first!  Very nice.  The second contact was from a black belt that moved away and through her trials of life has not been able to train.  She has been out of training for several years but has recently contacted a black belt senior to her who also encouraged her to return to training.  She was so excited to be training again she asked when our tournament was going to be held in 2015 so she could participate, again contacting me first!  Two very uplifting emails!

USTF Newsletter-Flash:  (By Sr. Master Todd)  I hope everyone read the USTF Flash that Mr. Bushor sent out.  It will also be posted on our Axe Taekwon-Do website.  I was very proud to see in the section titled "A Year in Pictures 2014" that we had 3 pictures of the 9 in the section.  Mrs. Bowing, 5th dan was selected as the picture of the year for her 6 tile downward knife hand break.  That is clearly a picture worth framing.  The other pictures from our class were an excellent slow motion turning kick demonstrated by Ms. Navratil, 2nd dan during her testing and a flying twin foot front snap kick demonstrated by Ms. Jocson, S., at her testing.  Congrats to all, you make Axe Taekwon-Do look great!

Weather:  Remember the Youth Center weather policy.  We will have class as long as the Youth Center is open.  If the base closes due to weather, the Youth Center will close.  We never close class on our own.  Use your best judgment with your safety in mind; if it’s slick out, it may be your individual judgement to drive to class or not.  In the event the Youth Center closes, we will post the closure on Facebook, and attempt to email and/or everyone.   In the past, the Youth Center has closed with very little warning, so on stormy weather days make sure you can get into the Youth Center before your ride leaves.