Students of the Month – February:  We are proud to announce the Axe Taekwon-Do Students of the Month for February 2007 are Ms. April Bowing and Ms. Jenna Fuller.  We believe that these two students are excellent examples of the finest qualities in TKD, and display the tenets of Taekwon-Do (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit) at all times.  Congratulations!

Testing:  We will have our quarterly testing on Saturday, February 24th in the small gym at the Offutt AFB Youth Center.  The testing will start promptly at 9:00 am, so don’t be late.  The Youth Center will be open at 8:00 am and we expect all those testing will be in uniform and stretching not later than 8:30 am.  All students, even those not testing, are expected to attend the testing.  If you cannot attend you must let one of your instructors know in advance.  Parents, family, and friends are all invited to watch.  Come and support Mr. Reep (testing to II Dan); Mrs. Komyathy, Ms. Qualls, and Ms. Nikki Brumbaugh (all testing to I Dan); and all the other students testing to their next level.

AXE TKD Web Site:  Mr. Todd has added a new feature to the school’s web site (www.axetkd.com).  It is called “Pattern Pictures” and is will eventually have our students demonstrating all of the TKD Patterns.  There will be a series of photos showing proper stances, preparations, tools, and facing.  Mr. Luke Carter is the first student to demonstrate Four Direction Punch (Saju Jirugi).  Take a look and let Mr. Todd know what you think.  Press the advance button in quick succession, and it looks like Mr. Carter is doing the pattern right in front of you.  This is one of the best displays of Four Direction Punch on any web site I have seen.  Thanks to Mr. David Araujo for taking the pictures and to Mr. Todd for making it work.

USTF Maintenance Fees: The United States Taekwon-Do Federation (USTF) (www.ustf-itf.com) is our national governing body, and requires all students to join the Federation before they can test for 6th Gup / Green Belt.  Current members are required to pay a yearly maintenance fee to the USTF to remain an active member.  All current USTF members must turn in a check to Mr. Bushor by February 24th, 2007.  Please make the check payable to Mr. Bushor or Axe Taekwon-Do in the amount of $25.00.  If you have recently joined the USTF (Oct 06 or later) you will not need to pay the 2007 maintenance fee.  This deadline is closing in fast, anyone turning in their fees after March 1st will have to pay $50.00 each.  Please contact Mr. Bushor if you have any questions.

Mentor/Coach:  Since we have so many teen and youth students rapidly approaching black belt they require more attention than we can offer in class.  We have decided to assign each student a black belt mentor/coach once they are a red belt black stripe.  This will ensure they are ready for testing to black belt and give them more individual attention.  Please see Mr. Todd or Mr. Bushor if you have any questions.  Your student will be informed of their individual assistants.  This will not be a substitute for their training with Mr. Bushor or Mr. Todd, just additional assistance.

Weather.  This has been a month full of nasty weather.  The question always comes up: Are we having class tonight?  It is easy, if the base is closed due to the weather then the Youth Center is also closed, so no class!  If the weather is bad but the base is not closed, let your parents make the decision if it safe to drive.  If you, or your parents, decide the weather is too bad to drive in, just let one of your instructors know (phone call, email, call the Youth Center.  Safety should be the most important decision you make, if driving is not safe; then don’t come to class. 

2007 Events:  (all dates are tentative)

February 24th – Testing, Small Gym – 9:00 am

March 10th – Black Belt Workout

April – Black Belt Pre-Test – 12:00 pm

April 21st –Taekwon-Do Tournament - Kansas City, Missouri

May – Testing, Large Gym – 8:30 am

June – Referee Course – Kirksville, Missouri

June 29th – July 1st – Taekwon-Do Camp – Mexico, Missouri

June 30th – Grand Master Sereff’s Retirement

July 19th-22nd – USTF Nationals Taekwon-Do Tournament – Madison, Wisconsin

July – Black Belt – Pre-Test – 12:00 pm

August – Testing, Large Gym – 8:30 am

August – USTF Class C Instructors Course – Kirksville, Missouri

September – Battle of the Belts Taekwon-Do Tournament – Harrisburg, Missouri

October – Black Belt Pre-Test – 12:00 pm

November – Testing, Large Gym – 8:30 am

December – Holiday Party

Black Belt Workout:  In March we will start our quarterly black belt classes on Saturday, March 10th, at 12:00 (noon).  This will be mandatory for all black belts and will be open to red belts and  black stripes also.

Grand Master Sereff’s Retirement:  Grand Master Sereff recently announced his retirement as the President of the United States Taekwon-Do Federation (USTF).  This is not unexpected, as GM Sereff’s health has been deteriorating recently, and he plans on taking more time to relax and fish.  GM Sereff started his career in the martial arts back in 1961 (that’s 47 years folks!).  Grand Master “Chuck” Sereff joined General Choi and the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) in 1965.  GM Sereff started the USTF in 1974 and was first elected President of the USTF in 1979.  GM Sereff has given demonstrations and taught instructors and students around the world.  Grand Master Sereff intends to continue to teach and perform seminars and testings as long as he is able and we want him.  He plans to serve in an advisory capacity to the new USTF President, but wants to be directly involved in the setting of policy or the direct or indirect operation of the new organization.  Hopefully we will all have an opportunity to train with Grand Master Sereff in the future, and maybe even have him come to our school when Mr. Todd tests for VII Dan.

 Korean Flag:  As you may remember from Yellow Stripe, Taekwon-Do originated in the country of Korea.  Everyone knows what the United States flag looks like, but would you know the Korean flag if you saw it?  Some of you have seen the flag before, but do you what the emblems on the flag mean?  In September, 1882, King Gojong appointed Bak Yeoung-hyo as his ambassador to Japan. While he was on ship headed for Japan, Bak drew a national flag for Korea, using the currently seen four trigrams in each corner.  Bak submitted his design to King Gojong on October 3, who formally proclaimed the Taeguekgi as the national flag on March 6, 1883.

The trigrams each have a special meaning, and they are as follows:

Geon:  This is the three solid bars in the upper left-hand corner, and they denote "heaven".

Gon:  This is the three evenly spaced bars in the lower right-hand corner, and they denote "earth".

Gam:  This has one evenly divided bar on each side of one solid bar in the upper right-hand corner which denotes "water".

Li:  Last, but not least, this with the one solid bar on each side of one evenly divided bar in the lower left-hand corner which denotes "fire"

The yin-yang circle which is divided equally into a red portion above and a blue portion above represents the dual cosmic forces of yin (blue) and yang (red).  The white background symbolizes light and purity, reflecting the Korean people's traditional affinity for peace.  Taken as a whole, the flag represents universal harmony and unity which is the ideal of all Koreans!